How to Create an Invoice: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a proper invoice is the foundation of every business. In Macedonia, an invoice must contain certain mandatory elements to be recognized for tax purposes. In this guide, we show you step by step how to create an invoice that complies with the VAT Law and ensures smooth payment collection.
Why does a proper invoice matter?
An invoice is not just a payment document — it is also a tax document. An improperly issued invoice can lead to rejection of the VAT deduction by the tax authority (UJP), penalties during inspection, or payment collection problems. A proper invoice protects both your company and your client, ensuring transparency and legal compliance.
Step by step: Creating an invoice
- 1
Enter your company details
Include the full company name, registered address, EDB (unique tax number), and EMBS (unique entity registration number). These details must appear on every invoice without exception.
- 2
Enter the buyer details
Add the buyer company name, their address, EDB, and EMBS. If the buyer is an individual, include their name and address.
- 3
Set the invoice number and date
Every invoice must have a unique sequential number. The issue date and the supply date (date of delivery) are mandatory. If they differ, include both.
- 4
Add line items
For each item, specify: a description of the product or service, quantity, unit price excluding VAT, VAT rate (18%, 5%, or 0%), and total amount. Be precise in descriptions — vague descriptions can cause problems during inspection.
- 5
Calculate VAT and total amount
Show the subtotal excluding VAT, the VAT amount for each rate, and the grand total for payment. If you have items with different VAT rates, show a separate recapitulation.
- 6
Specify payment terms
Add a payment deadline (for example 15 or 30 days), the bank account for payment, and optionally a reference number. Clear payment terms speed up the collection process.
Common invoicing mistakes
- Wrong or missing EDB — without an EDB, the invoice is not valid for tax purposes
- Vague item descriptions — "service" is not enough, provide a specific description
- Wrong VAT rate — verify whether the product/service falls under 18%, 5%, or 0%
- Skipped sequential number — invoices must be numbered without gaps
- Missing supply date — the date when the service was performed or goods delivered is mandatory
- Inconsistent currency — amounts must be in Macedonian denars (MKD) or with a clearly stated exchange rate
How Facturino simplifies the process
Facturino automatically fills in mandatory fields, generates sequential numbers, calculates the VAT recapitulation, and validates that all data is complete before sending. You can save buyer companies for reuse, create templates for recurring invoices, and send them directly by email — all from one platform.
- Automatic VAT calculation by rate (18%, 5%, 0%)
- EDB and EMBS validation before sending
- Sequential numbering with no gaps possible
- Simultaneous PDF and UBL XML format generation
- Send invoices directly by email from the platform
Create your first invoice in 2 minutes
No complicated setup, no manual calculations. Facturino automatically fills in all mandatory fields and generates a valid invoice.
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