The GoBD:
A spectre for the SME sector? Not with us.
For countless companies in Germany, the "Principles for the proper keeping and storage of books..." (GoBD) are a source of constant uncertainty. The requirements are complex and the consequences of errors are serious. But what if compliance with these strict rules was no longer a manual feat of strength, but an automated standard that simply worked in the background?
This is precisely the core philosophy of Knodge.eu. We take GoBD compliance seriously, so you no longer have to. Our platform is designed from the ground up to not only meet the requirements of the tax authorities, but to exceed them as best practice. For you, this means that every receipt you enter in Knodge is automatically processed and archived in compliance with GoBD. From day one.
How Knodge.eu automates your GoBD compliance
Our procedure documentation for digital document storage is the technical basis required by the tax office. In practice, it boils down to three simple steps for you:
- Effortless capture: Whether by cell phone scan or upload - every receipt is captured promptly and time-stamped.
2 Inalterable storage: The system generates an audit-proof PDF and a machine-readable JSON file. This dual storage is the key to traceability and protection against manipulation. Nothing can be changed unnoticed.
3 Audit-proof long-term archiving: At the end of the month, all receipts are archived in a sealed ZIP container. This serves as an unalterable "digital safe" for the legally prescribed retention period of 10 years.
More than just GoBD: The future is European and is called ViDA
While the GoBD regulates the present in Germany, the EU is already defining the future with ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age). From 2026/2027, an EU-wide reporting obligation for invoice data in machine-readable formats will become mandatory. A pure PDF file will then no longer be sufficient.
**Knodge.eu is already ViDA-ready today.
Thanks to our JSON-based architecture, we not only store images of receipts, but also structured, machine-readable data. This is the decisive advantage. We are going even further with our roadmap:
Phase 1 (Integrated): ZUGFeRD - The DATEV turbo
We already create ZUGFeRD-compliant invoices today. This means that your receipts can be read automatically and error-free by your tax advisor's software (e.g. DATEV).Phase 2 (in planning): Peppol - The EU Connect**
The planned connection to the Peppol network will turn Knodge into a universal e-invoice gateway. This will enable you to fulfill e-invoicing obligations in almost all EU countries in one fell swoop.
Your compliance status at a glance
| Region/Country | Status | Requirements / Systems |
|---|---|---|
| DACH (DE, AT, CH) | ✅ Best Practice | GoBD / audit compliance fully met |
| EU-wide (from 2026/27) | ✅ ViDA-Ready | Machine-readable formats (JSON, ZUGFeRD, Peppol) |
| France, Denmark, Benelux | 🟡 Fast-Track (soon ✅) | Minor adjustments & Peppol integration |
| Italy, Spain, Portugal | 🔴 High-Effort (soon ✅) | Complex integrations are solved by Peppol connection |
Conclusion: Rely on the European standard
Stop worrying about the GoBD. Choose a solution that delivers compliance as standard and at the same time leads you securely into the digital future of the European single market.