What it means
A discount on the whole invoice (BG-20) has the VAT category IPSI (BT-95), code M in the file, the tax of Ceuta and Melilla. The invoice must then contain the seller's VAT identifier (BT-31), the seller's tax registration identifier (BT-32) or the VAT identifier of the seller's tax representative (BT-63). The check looks for a tax number in the seller's tax details, or a VAT number in the tax representative's tax details.
Why it matters
The recipient and the tax authority need to know under which registration the seller charges IPSI. Without a tax number the invoice cannot be tied to a registered taxpayer, so it fails validation and is rejected.
How to fix it
Open the seller details in your invoicing software and fill in the VAT number or tax registration number of the business issuing the invoice. A VAT number for a tax representative named on the invoice also satisfies the rule. If the seller has no tax number, ask your accountant whether IPSI is the right category for that discount.
The rule as published
An Invoice that contains a Document level allowance (BG-20) where the Document level allowance VAT category code (BT-95) is "IPSI" shall contain the Seller VAT Identifier (BT-31), the Seller Tax registration identifier (BT-32) and/or the Seller tax representative VAT identifier (BT-63). Business terms: BG-20, BT-31, BT-32, BT-63, BT-95
Where this rule applies
| Rule set | Version |
|---|---|
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (invoice) | 2026.5 |
| Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (credit note) | 2026.5 |
| Factur-X 1.09 BASIC WL | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 BASIC | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 EN 16931 | 1.0.9-2 |
| Factur-X 1.09 EXTENDED | 1.0.9-2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC WL | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 BASIC | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EN 16931 | 2.5.2 |
| ZUGFeRD 2.5 EXTENDED | 2.5.2 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (invoice) | 2.0.3.13 |
| SI-UBL 2.0 / NLCIUS (credit note) | 2.0.3.13 |
| NLCIUS (CII) | 1.0.3.13 |
Check your file
Drop your e-invoice to see whether BR-AG-03 still fails, and which other rules do.
Related rules
- BR-AE-03 Reverse-charge invoice discounts need both VAT numbers
- BR-AF-03 IGIC discounts on the whole invoice need a seller tax number
- BR-E-03 VAT-exempt invoice discounts need your VAT number
- BR-IG-03 IGIC discounts need a seller VAT number or tax number
- BR-IP-03 IPSI discounts need a seller VAT number or tax number
- BR-S-03 Standard-rate invoice discounts need your VAT number