Quittungen

Quittungen are documents that acknowledge the reception of money for goods or services and thus serve as proof of payment. They play a role in everyday accounting, returns, warranties, and tax reporting. Quittungen can be issued on paper or generated digitally and are commonly used in retail, service trades, and informal transactions.

A Quittung is different from an invoice (Rechnung). An invoice is a formal request for payment, often containing detailed tax information and seller and buyer data. A Quittung, by contrast, confirms that payment has occurred. In many situations a customer receives a Quittung after paying, especially for cash purchases; not every transaction requires a separate invoice for the payer.

Typical content of a Quittung includes the date, the seller’s name and, where applicable, address, a description of the goods or services, the amount paid, and the payment method. It may also carry a receipt number, a stamp or signature, and occasionally a brief note about returns or guarantees. Electronic Quittungen may include a QR code or other digital signing.

Legal and practical aspects: Businesses often keep Quittungen as part of their financial records for tax and audit purposes. In the German-speaking world, Belege like Quittungen are usually retained for a number of years and form part of the documentation alongside invoices. For consumers, the Quittung can function as proof of purchase for warranties, exchanges, or refunds.

Regional usage: The term Quittung is common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While the idea is universal, everyday practice and formal requirements for invoicing versus receipts can vary between countries and jurisdictions.