What does BR-53 mean?
The invoice names a VAT accounting currency (BT-6) but not the invoice total VAT amount in that currency (BT-111).
Classification: Format error. This group covers missing mandatory data, codes or formats that are not allowed, and deviations from the XML structure.
A violation of this rule means the file does not meet the technical standard at this point. The check does not judge whether the invoice is correct in substance. The file should be corrected by the invoice issuer.
Which invoice fields are concerned?
The rule text names these EN 16931 business terms (BT) and groups (BG):
- BT-6
- BT-111
Who has to correct the error?
As a rule the invoice issuer, i.e. your supplier or its invoicing software: only the issuer can generate the e-invoice again. Do not edit the file you received; keep it and ask for a corrected e-invoice. Our knowledge article explains how to handle a faulty XRechnung overall.
E-mail to the supplier
Copy the template, add the invoice number and date, and send it to your supplier's accounts department.
Subject: Request for a corrected e-invoice (rule BR-53) Dear Sir or Madam, When we checked your e-invoice [invoice number] dated [date], the KoSIT validator reported a violation of rule BR-53 of EN 16931 / XRechnung: The invoice names a VAT accounting currency (BT-6) but not the invoice total VAT amount in that currency (BT-111). Please add the invoice total VAT amount in the accounting currency (BT-111). Thank you for your support. Kind regards
Source and date
This explanation is based on the official rule text. The message the validator reports for your file always takes precedence. As of October 2026.