Receipt Generator

Frequently asked questions

Does a receipt have to be signed?

For tax purposes, no: § 33 UStDV (German law) does not require a signature for a receipt to count as a low-value invoice, and digitally created receipts are valid without one. Under civil law a receipt is an acknowledgement of receipt (§ 368 BGB), and a signature clearly strengthens its evidential value. If you can: sign it.

What has to be on a receipt?

It depends on what it should be good for. As a private record, the amount, who paid, what for, the issuer, place and date are enough. If it should serve as a low-value invoice for the tax office up to €250 gross, § 33 UStDV additionally requires the issuer's full address plus payment and tax in one sum with the tax rate, or a note on a tax exemption. The generator shows this live.

What is the difference between a receipt and an invoice?

An invoice requests a payment, it comes before the money. A receipt confirms that payment has already been made, it comes after the money (§ 368 BGB). If a receipt carries the details per § 33 UStDV, it can also serve as a low-value invoice up to €250 gross.

Above what amount is a simple receipt no longer enough?

Above €250 gross, a low-value invoice is no longer sufficient. For input tax deduction the document then needs the full details per § 14 UStG, including the recipient's name and address, a tax number or VAT ID, a sequential invoice number, the time of service and separately itemised tax. The generator has a full-invoice mode for this.

Does the amount in words have to be on the receipt?

No. The amount in words is a common convention protecting against later tampering, not a legal requirement. Neither § 368 BGB nor § 33 UStDV demand it. The generator still writes it automatically, because it makes the receipt more credible.

What applies to small businesses under § 19 UStG?

Small businesses do not show VAT and are not allowed to, otherwise they owe the tax shown (§ 14c UStG). Instead, the document needs a note on the tax exemption; no fixed wording is prescribed. The small-business switch in the generator sets both correctly.

How long do I have to keep receipts?

For businesses, receipts are accounting records and must be kept for eight years since 2025 (§ 147 (3) AO, likewise invoices under § 14b UStG); books and annual accounts for ten years. Privately there is no general retention duty; the exception is invoices for services related to real property, such as trade work, which private individuals must keep for two years (§ 14b UStG). Keeping receipts for warranty, deposits or larger purchases is worthwhile anyway. Audit-proof storage is your responsibility; the generator stores nothing on servers.

How do I write a receipt for a private sale?

For a private sale a simple acknowledgement of receipt is enough: the item, amount, date, both names and the seller's signature. It is common to add that the item is sold as used and without warranty. The private-sale preset pre-fills a suitable text.

Do I get a receipt for a rental deposit paid in cash?

Yes. Whoever receives a payment must issue a written acknowledgement of receipt on request (§ 368 BGB), and this also applies to a cash deposit. The receipt should state the amount, the purpose (deposit for which flat, which rental agreement), the date and the recipient's signature.

Can I create a donation receipt here?

No, and I say so deliberately: what is colloquially called a donation receipt is, for tax purposes, a donation confirmation following an officially prescribed template (§ 50 EStDV) that only the receiving organisation can issue. This tool creates simple receipts and low-value invoices. For a private gift without tax deduction you can create an acknowledgement of receipt here; for the donation deduction you need the organisation's confirmation.

Can I create the receipt in English?

Yes. The receipt-language switch turns all labels on the sheet, in the PDF and in print to English, including the amount in words. Your entries stay exactly as typed. The legal basis remains German law (§ 368 BGB, § 33 UStDV): it is a German receipt with English labels, for international clients for example, not a document under foreign law.

Does this tool store my data?

No. Everything calculates and renders in your browser; no input is sent to a server. The share link only contains structure such as amount and mode, never names or addresses. The carbon copy of your last receipt lives solely in your browser storage and can be deleted there at any time.