CII-SR-411: Leave the information amount out of the invoice totals

What it means

The invoice totals contain an InformationAmount element, an extra amount given for information only. EN 16931 does not use it. The totals it knows are the sum of the lines (BT-106), discounts (BT-107), charges (BT-108), the total without VAT (BT-109), the total VAT (BT-110), the total with VAT (BT-112), the amount already paid (BT-113), the rounding amount (BT-114) and the amount due (BT-115).

Why it matters

This is a warning, so the invoice is still accepted. The buyer's software does not read the amount, so it plays no part in what they book or pay. It is worth fixing if the figure matters to the buyer, in which case it belongs in the notes or in one of the totals above.

How to fix it

Remove the InformationAmount element from the totals. If the figure is something the buyer needs to know, put it in an invoice note instead. If the element keeps coming back, check the profile or format choice in your invoicing software and pick EN 16931.

The rule as published

InformationAmount should not be present

Where this rule applies