Writing an Invoice (Rechnung) as a Creator: All Mandatory Details (2026)

8 min read·July 17, 2026

The first brand collaboration is signed – and then the question comes: how do I actually write a correct invoice (Rechnung)? Don't worry, it is not rocket science. But there are mandatory details that have to be on it, otherwise your collaboration partner is not allowed to recognise the invoice. This guide shows you what matters.

Note: general orientation, not tax advice. For special cases – such as foreign clients or reverse charge – a tax advisor (Steuerberater) can help.

These mandatory details must be on every invoice

Your full name and address.
The client's name and address (the brand or agency).
Your tax number (Steuernummer) or VAT identification number (Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer).
The invoice date and a sequential, unique invoice number.
A description of the service: what did you deliver (e.g. one reel, three stories, usage rights)?
The date of the service or delivery.
Net amount, VAT rate and VAT amount – or the small-business note (see below).
The total amount.

Small business (Kleinunternehmer): the important addition

If you use the small-business regulation (Kleinunternehmerregelung), you don't charge VAT. Instead, a note belongs on the invoice, along the lines of: Under the small-business regulation, no VAT is charged. Whether the regulation makes sense for you and which limits apply is explained in the guide to the small-business regulation for creators.

Sequential invoice number – why it matters

Every invoice needs a unique, sequential number. You are free to choose the system (e.g. 2026-001, 2026-002), but it has to be gap-free and unambiguous. The tax office (Finanzamt) checks that no numbers are assigned twice or missing.

Before you issue your first invoice

Two things should be sorted beforehand: you usually need a business registration (Gewerbeanmeldung) and your tax number, and you should meet your legal notice requirement (Impressumspflicht). Only with the tax number can you issue correct invoices.

How to create the invoice in minutes

You don't have to build a text document by hand and risk forgetting a mandatory detail. With an invoicing tool you fill in your data once, and all the mandatory fields are pre-set – including the small-business note, the sequential number and a clean PDF ready to send. The Lincora invoicing tool is made exactly for this.

Legally sound invoices with all mandatory details – created as a PDF in minutes.

View the invoicing tool

Common mistakes when writing invoices

Invoice number assigned twice or with gaps.
Forgetting the tax number or the small-business note.
Describing the service too vaguely – be specific instead of just mentioning a social media collaboration.
Showing VAT even though you are a small business (or the other way around).

Frequently asked questions

What has to be on an invoice as a creator?

Your name and address, the client's name and address, your tax number (Steuernummer), the invoice date, a sequential invoice number, a specific description of the service, the date of the service, plus the net, VAT and total amounts – or, for small businesses (Kleinunternehmer), the corresponding note instead of VAT.

As a small business, do I have to show VAT?

No. As a small business (Kleinunternehmer) you don't charge VAT and instead add a note referring to the small-business regulation (Kleinunternehmerregelung). The separate guide covers the details.

Do I need a tax number to issue an invoice?

Yes. Only with your tax number (Steuernummer, which you receive after registering for tax with the Finanzamt) can you issue correct invoices.

How do I write a correct invoice quickly?

The easiest way is with an invoicing tool that pre-sets all the mandatory fields and produces a clean PDF – so you don't forget any mandatory detail and the invoice numbers stay gap-free.