What causes the BR-AE-01 error?

When using VAT category AE (reverse charge), the reason must be stated.

How do I fix BR-AE-01?

Review your Invoice XML structure and correct the issue described by this rule. Check relevant cbc: and cac: elements per EN 16931. This error involves a protected field — Invoice Navigator flags it in your pipeline so your team can correct it at the source.

Is BR-AE-01 a critical error?

Yes, BR-AE-01 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission to ensure your invoice is accepted by the recipient's system.

Can BR-AE-01 be automatically fixed?

BR-AE-01 involves a financial or legal field that cannot be auto-modified by policy. Invoice Navigator detects and flags this error immediately, but the correction must be made manually in your ERP or invoicing software.

Which accounting software causes BR-AE-01?

BR-AE-01 is commonly seen in exports from All invoicing software. These software packages sometimes generate invoices that need adjustment to meet full compliance standards.

Error codes · EN 16931

BR-AE-01Partly

Missing reverse charge VAT summary

This is the rejection, word for word: „[BR-AE-01] Your invoice has line items marked as reverse charge (VAT category AE), but the VAT summary section is missing the corresponding reverse charge breakdown. When any item uses the reverse charge mechanism, the invoice must include a VAT breakdown line showing the reverse charge totals with a zero tax amount.“

XPath: cac:TaxTotal/cac:TaxSubtotal/cac:TaxCategory/cbc:ID — EN16931 rule BR-AE-01. At least one line has taxCategory=AE but no TaxSubtotal with categoryCode=AE exists.

What to have readyThe correct figures from your bookkeeping; we show you which field is affected.

What we doReview your Invoice XML structure and correct the issue described by this rule. Check relevant cbc: and cac: elements per EN 16931.

Choose the rejected invoiceor drop it here

XRechnung XML or ZUGFeRD PDF. Checking is free · corrected file €1.90 · the first every 30 days is free · no sign-up.

If you enter it yourself in your invoicing software

Before

<Invoice>
  <!-- Issue: An Invoice with reverse charge items must have exactly one V -->
</Invoice>

After

<Invoice>
  <!-- Issue resolved per EN 16931 -->
</Invoice>

What the finding looks likeExample

FindingNeeds your check · BR-AE-01

From youThe correct figures

ThenChecked again

ProofSHA-256 and /verify link after the check

Often appears together with

BR-AE-02Reverse charge requires both VAT IDs BR-AE-05Reverse charge invoice line must have 0% VAT rate BR-AE-08Reverse charge VAT breakdown taxable amount must match line totals