warningDEXRECHNUNG
BR-DE-26:A credit note or corrective invoice must reference the original invoice it is correcting. The preceding invoice referenc
A credit note or corrective invoice must reference the original invoice it is correcting. The preceding invoice reference field is required when the invoice type indicates a correction. This creates the audit trail needed for proper accounting.
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NEEDS INPUTRequires user input: Original invoice number being corrected. User must provide the invoice ID of the document being credited or corrected. Cannot derive - must come from business records.
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Upload and Answer QuestionsWhy This Error Matters
Invoice will be rejected by XRechnung validation. German public sector requires proper audit trails linking corrections to original invoices for compliance and accounting purposes.
Common Causes
- Credit note created without linking to original invoice
- ERP system does not auto-populate reference when creating corrections
- Original invoice number unknown or lost
- Manual correction process bypasses reference requirement
- Invoice type code changed but reference not added
Frequently Asked Questions
A credit note or corrective invoice must reference the original invoice it is correcting. The preceding invoice reference field is required when the invoice type indicates a correction. This creates the audit trail needed for proper accounting.
A credit note or corrective invoice must reference the original invoice it is correcting. The preceding invoice reference field is required when the invoice type indicates a correction. This creates t You can also use Invoice Navigator's automatic Fixer tool to correct this instantly.
BR-DE-26 is a warning that may not always cause rejection, but it indicates a potential compliance issue that should be addressed.
Many instances of BR-DE-26 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's Fixer tool. Upload your invoice and the tool will identify and fix common issues.
See Also
Last updated: 18 January 2026
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