Create GoBD-compliant Shopify invoices: Tips & Apps

Shopify makes selling easy – but experience shows that things quickly become tricky when it comes to invoicing. What requirements apply to retailers in Germany, and what do you need to consider to create legally compliant invoices?

In this article, we'll introduce you to proven solutions and invoicing apps on Shopify. We'll focus on the risks associated with popular tools like Order Printer Pro and how you can ensure you meet the requirements for GoBD-compliant invoices.

1. Basics of GoBD - explained in 3 minutes

Whether you're just opening your first Shopify store or processing regular orders, legally compliant invoices aren't a "nice-to-have"; they're a mandatory requirement to avoid problems with the tax office and tax advisors. The requirements for this are regulated by the GoBD (German Tax Code) – but what does this mean, and why are they so important?

The "Principles for the Proper Maintenance and Storage of Books, Records, and Documents in Electronic Form, as well as for Data Access" (GoBD) stipulate how digital business processes must be documented and audited for tax purposes in Germany. Three core principles are essential:

principle	Briefly explained
Immutability	Once an invoice has been issued, it may only be subsequently changed or cancelled if it is fully documented.
completeness	Every tax-relevant transaction must be recorded, numbered and archived – without any gaps in the invoice number range.
Traceability & verifiability	An expert third party (e.g. tax auditor) must be able to understand your processes chronologically and systematically.

If these requirements are violated, there may be consequences such as the rejection of the accounting records, additional assessments by the tax office or the loss of the input tax deduction.

Current changes (2024/2025)

• E-invoicing requirement: According to the government's draft Growth Opportunities Act, B2B sales must be submitted exclusively as electronic invoices (XRechnung or ZUGFeRD 2.2) starting January 1, 2027. A transition phase will begin in 2025, during which paper invoices will be gradually phased out.
• BMF letter March 2025: Specifies that cloud systems such as Shopify only meet GoBD requirements if they provide exportable audit trail documentation and audit-proof archiving.
• Digital data access: Since 2024, auditors may request not only CSV exports but also structured XML/JSON data if generated in the system.

2. Requirements for legally compliant invoices

2.1. Creating Shopify invoices - Checklist according to § 14 UStG & § 14a

The GoBD focuses on completeness – without the following data, your invoice is formally vulnerable:

• Name & address of you (supplier) and the buyer
• Tax number or VAT ID number
• Invoice date
• Unique, complete invoice number
• Quantity & type of products / services delivered
• Service date (or delivery/service period)
• Net amount, tax rate and tax amount per item
• Gross total amount
• Reference to tax exemption (Section 19 UStG) or intra-community supply

2.2. Minimum technical requirements

Must-have criterion	Why it is important
Immutability & Audit Trail	Auditors must be able to understand what was changed and when – automatically and seamlessly.
Continuous number range	Invoices must be numbered consecutively. Any gaps will result in queries or even estimates.
Audit-proof archiving (10 years)	Logs, metadata and change histories must also be securely archived.
Export formats	For tax consultants and authorities you need formats such as DATEV , XRechnung or ZUGFeRD 2.2.

3. App check: Why the Order Printer Pro is not GoBD-compliant in Germany

While Shopify itself primarily facilitates sales, its standard feature set offers little protection against GoBD pitfalls. Even common tools like Order Printer Pro don't automatically meet the legal standards, despite receiving numerous positive reviews in the App Store.

For these reasons, tax expert Daniel Schlude advises against using Order Printer Pro for invoices:

• Lack of tamper protection: Invoices created with OrderPrinter Pro can be subsequently modified without these changes being logged. This contradicts the GoBD requirements, which require subsequent immutability.
• Problematic invoice number range: By default, Order Printer Pro uses the Shopify order number as the invoice number. This seems plausible at first glance, as it's easy to assign the receipt to the invoice. However, the Shopify order number isn't designed for accounting processes. This can result in numbers being skipped, and the invoice number range is no longer complete.

Therefore, the OrderPrinter Pro can be rejected during tax audits in Germany, which can have significant consequences for Shopify merchants in an emergency.

There are also operational reasons why we do not recommend the tool for online retailers:

• Complicated customizations: Changes to invoice design or content often require programming skills. Many merchants shy away from this effort, so incorrect or incomplete invoices can remain in circulation.
• Additional costs: As order numbers increase, the fees for using the tool can quickly skyrocket, which is an economic disadvantage, especially for growing companies.

4. The pathway invoice printer: The GoBD-compliant alternative

But what legally compliant invoicing solutions exist for Shopify? Our recommendation: the invoice printer from pathway Solutions . This solution was developed specifically for the German market, meets all GoBD requirements, and is the tool trusted by leading Shopify brands.

4.1. The advantages at a glance:

• GoBD-compliant security
  • Tamper-proof invoices: Once created, invoices cannot be subsequently changed without clear documentation.
  • Automatic archiving: All receipts are stored in an audit-proof manner and are traceable by the tax office at any time.
• Automatic document creation and dispatch
  • Time savings: Invoices are created automatically and sent at predefined times (e.g. upon order completion or after receipt of payment).
  • Error reduction: The direct transfer of data from the shop system minimizes typos and transmission errors.
• E-invoicing and DATEV export
  • Electronic e-invoice formats: Support for standards such as ZUGFeRD or XRechnung facilitates collaboration with authorities and large business partners.
  • Direct DATEV export: A seamless transfer of data to the tax advisor or directly to DATEV enables efficient accounting.
• High individuality
  • Multilingualism: For international sales, invoices can be created in multiple languages.
  • Flexible tax and country settings: Different tax rates and currencies can be easily integrated.
  • Variable invoice timing: Merchants have the freedom to determine the ideal moment for invoicing – whether at order, delivery, or payment.
• Cost control
  • Pay-per-use model: Only invoices actually created are charged, which ensures better cost control, especially during seasonal fluctuations in the business.

5. Tips for a successful financial audit

In addition to choosing a GoBD-compliant solution, tax expert Daniel Schlude also recommends the following measures:

• Regular data backups: Create regular backups to access older documents at any time.
• Complete documentation: Maintain complete documentation of all orders, credit notes, and cancellations.
• Working with a tax advisor: Working closely with a tax advisor can help identify and eliminate potential pitfalls early on.

6. Conclusion: GoBD-compliant invoicing tools are a must

Although OrderPrinter Pro is used by many merchants and has received high ratings in the Shopify App Store, its lack of GoBD compliance poses significant risks and is often rejected during audits. Daniel Schlude therefore recommends pathway Invoice Printer as a reliable alternative, enabling automated, secure, and GoBD-compliant invoicing.

This allows Shopify merchants to not only optimize their accounting processes, but also minimize long-term legal risks and fully focus on growing their online store.