Electronic Signatures

What is this about?

For PDF invoices with non-zero VAT amounts, we provide you with a qualified electronic signature in a separate file. This extra file's name is the same as that of the invoice, except for the extension ".pkcs7". Signing is a manual process, therefore it can take about 1 business day before you'll find a link to the signature file next to that for the PDF file.

What for?

PDF invoices, according to the German VAT law (and similar laws in other EU countries), can be used for reclaiming VAT only if they have been signed with a qualified electronic signature.

How to validate our electronic signatures

We provide the signatures by using the standardized PKCS #7 format. Numerous software programs are available for validating signatures. We use, for instance, the following free, platform-independent programm: SecSigner.

To check a signature with SecSigner:

1. Save both files (PDF and the signature file) in the same folder, for instance: invoice_IB08999.pdf and invoice_IB08999.pdf.pkcs7

2. Start SecSigner, cklick on "Check Signature"

3. Select the pkcs7 file (not the PDF file).

4. Now you should see the result of the validation. You can view or save a validation report, and/or perform an online validation of the certificate.