Faktúra

Faktúra is a document used to request payment for goods or services provided by a supplier to a customer. It serves as a record for accounting and tax purposes and can function as a legal claim if payment is not made. The term is commonly used in Slovak and related languages and is equivalent to “invoice” in English.

Typical contents include: issuer and recipient names and addresses; date of issue; unique invoice number; customer order or reference; description of goods or services; quantity and unit price; any discounts; taxable base; VAT rate and amount; subtotal; total amount due; currency; payment terms and due date; payment instructions and bank details; and contact information for queries.

Legal requirements vary by country. In many EU countries, a VAT invoice must include the VAT identification numbers of both parties, the tax base, rate, and amount; it must be issued within a certain period after supply and preserved for several years. Some jurisdictions require electronic invoices or specific formats; others accept standard word-processing or PDF documents.

Electronic invoicing and interoperability have grown in use, with standards such as PEPPOL in Europe and other formats like UBL or EDIFACT. E-invoices can be issued, transmitted, and stored digitally, sometimes with digital signatures or secure delivery.

Accounting practices: invoices should be recorded promptly, numbers must follow a sequential order, duplicate checks are important, and records should be kept for statutory retention periods.