Output format per customer: choose XRechnung or ZUGFeRD by recipient
Not every recipient wants the same format. While public-sector clients require XRechnung, many business customers prefer ZUGFeRD because the visible PDF is retained. The good news: you can decide per invoice.
> Quick answer: Choose the output format per recipient: XRechnung for authorities, and often ZUGFeRD in B2B. With TaxLayer you set the format per conversion. A profile permanently stored per customer is not currently provided.
Who requires what?
| Recipient | Commonly expected format |
|---|---|
| Public-sector clients | XRechnung (often via a portal) |
| Large retail/B2B customers | ZUGFeRD or XRechnung |
| Smaller B2B customers | ZUGFeRD (visible PDF is convenient) |
What is binding is always what your recipient accepts. When in doubt, ask about the format and the delivery channel.
Choosing the format per invoice
During conversion, you decide before generation whether a ZUGFeRD or an XRechnung file should be produced. This way you serve different recipients from the same source document.
What does not (yet) work automatically
A format and delivery rule permanently stored per customer („Customer X always XRechnung via portal“) is not currently part of the feature set. In practice, a simple internal mapping list helps so that the team knows which customer expects which format.
Conclusion
One source document, two formats: choose XRechnung or ZUGFeRD depending on the recipient. Clarify the requirements of your most important customers once, cleanly – after that the choice is routine.
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TaxLayer produces ZUGFeRD and XRechnung from the same PDF – with the format selectable per invoice. Questions to info@landauer.de.
Frequently asked questions
Which format does which recipient need?
Public-sector clients usually require XRechnung. In B2B, ZUGFeRD is often convenient because the PDF is also human-readable. When in doubt, ask your recipient which format and which channel they accept.
Can I choose the format per invoice?
Yes. With TaxLayer you choose before generation whether a ZUGFeRD or an XRechnung file should be produced – to suit the recipient in question.
Is there a stored format profile per customer?
A format and delivery configuration permanently stored per customer is not currently part of the feature set; you choose the output format per conversion. For consistent processes, an internal mapping list helps.
What is the difference between the formats?
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid PDF/A-3 with embedded CII XML; XRechnung is pure XML (usually UBL). Both satisfy EN 16931. More on this: XRechnung vs. ZUGFeRD.
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