Why do the totals in the quote and/or order differ slightly from the total or invoice total?

In commercial practice, quote and invoice amounts are usually rounded up or down to two decimal places. This can lead to unexpected rounding differences in the cent range: Depending on whether the VAT amounts are rounded according to the horizontal method (at item level) or the vertical method (to the total amount), minor deviations between the final amount shown in the segment and the expected result are possible.

Both calculations fulfil the requirements for invoices according to § 14 of the UStG and are therefore accepted by the tax authorities.

If the VAT is calculated and rounded at item level, the individual net prices and individual VAT amounts are added up, resulting in the individual gross amounts. These together then give the total gross amount. If the net prices are added up first and the tax is calculated afterwards, the calculated and rounded amount results in the total gross amount. Although the amounts within the calculations are identical, there is a difference - this is not a calculation error. The different calculation methods (net calculation or gross calculation) lead to a slightly different result.

Changing the gross/net settings makes a big difference especially for multiplications (tax rate, rebate, quantities, etc.). Avoid subsequent conversion!

Has the item price been entered correctly?

Multiple price groups can be specified for each item. Some of these groups are gross, others net. When entering prices, the column to be entered (e.g. "Net") appears in normal font, the derived column (e.g. "Gross") in italics.

Selecting a net price group while entering gross prices will lead to rounding differences.

Always make sure that you enter the prices in the correct column (depending on the type of price group) when entering new prices.

Is a net price group set in the segment, but the "Gross" option activated?

Different price groups can be set independently of each other in each segment and the "Gross prices" option can be activated. If a net price group is set, which is then converted to gross prices, this leads to rounding differences

Select a gross price group in the segment in order to show gross prices.

Has a value with decimal places been entered in the "Number 2" column?

If a very small value is entered as "Count 2" (e.g. 0.125), this results in figures with several decimal places for both the price and the VAT. Although these decimal places are calculated, they are not shown in the table. An amount already rounded to two decimal places is visible. However, the total amount is calculated with the decimal places and only then rounded, which leads to differences.

Avoid small values in the "Count 2" column. If this is not possible, use component items or rounding difference items.

Create a separate revenue account for rounding differences, which is used to settle such amounts for financial accounting purposes.

Are there multiple quote or order segments, but only one invoice?

The total is rounded within individual segments (quote, order). However, if there are several segments, these are summarised in the invoice and only then is the total rounded. This can lead to differences between the totals.

Create a segment summarising all quotes or orders to create the calculation based on the same total as for the invoice.