Inventar

Inventar is a detailed, itemized list of assets and liabilities kept as a formal record for a person or organization. In German-speaking countries, the term refers to the official inventory used for accounting, estate administration, and legal purposes, and is distinct from day-to-day stock or equipment records.

The word derives from the French inventaire, via Latin inventarium, and is closely related to the processes of inventory-taking and bookkeeping. In practice, an Inventar describes each item with a description, quantity, location, and value, and it covers both assets (such as cash, buildings, equipment) and obligations (liabilities).

In commercial law, the Inventar is prepared at specific times, often in connection with an annual financial statement or the settlement of an estate. According to the German Commercial Code (HGB), certain businesses must perform an Inventur and compile an Inventar that forms the basis of the balance sheet and tax filings.

Beyond corporate use, Inventar is also used to denote catalogs of collections in museums, libraries, and archives, listing items with catalog numbers and provenance. In households or personal estates, inventories aid asset management, insurance, and succession planning.

While occasionally used synonymously with the English inventory, Inventar carries a distinct legal and organizational function in German contexts, separating a formal official record from ongoing inventory or stock records.