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What to know when taking pictures and storing your invoices

Franziska Kaiser avatar
Written by Franziska Kaiser
Updated this week

Correct Recording of Expenses

To ensure your expenses are reimbursed quickly and without follow-up questions, it's important to capture receipts completely and legibly. Blurry photos, missing details, or cropped receipts often cause delays.


How to Properly Capture Digital Receipts

Complete Receipt

Photograph the entire receipt – no cropped edges.

If the back of the receipt contains relevant information (e.g., for business meals), photograph it as well.

Good Lighting

Make sure the receipt is captured clearly and without shadows.

Take Photos Promptly

Photograph the receipt immediately after the purchase to avoid loss or damage.

Use the Candis App

With the Candis App, you can precisely crop the receipt and upload it instantly.

Tip: Ensure all information on the photo is clearly legible before uploading.


Mandatory Details on Every Receipt

To be accepted, the receipt must clearly show the following:

  • Name and address of the vendor

  • Date and time of purchase

  • Items or services purchased

  • Total amount including VAT

  • Method of payment (cash or card)

  • Receipt number


Additional Important Points

Foreign Currency

If the receipt is not issued in euros, the exchange rate must be traceable.

This can be provided via the credit card statement or an official exchange rate slip for the day of purchase.

Threshold of €250 (including VAT)

  • Up to €250: A simplified invoice (small-amount receipt) with the mandatory information listed above is sufficient.

  • Over €250: A full invoice is required, including:

    • Full name and address of the issuer and recipient

    • Tax number or VAT ID of the issuer

    • Invoice date

    • Consecutive invoice number

    • Quantity and type of delivered items or precise description of service

    • Date of delivery or service

    • Net amount, tax rate, VAT amount, and gross amount


Special Case: Meal & Entertainment Receipts

For business meals (internal or external), you must also provide:

  • Names of the attendees

  • Purpose of the meal/entertainment

  • Your personal signature on the original receipt

In Candis, you can enter the names of attendees directly in the form – separately for internal and external persons.


Retention of the Original Receipt

Please keep the original receipt safely until the reimbursement process in Candis is completed.

Your accountant will inform you how long the receipt needs to be retained afterward.


Application Examples

Example 1: Taxi Receipt Under €250

You take a taxi from the office to a client meeting.

The receipt includes:
Vendor’s name and address, date, time, route, fare including VAT, and receipt number.

Since the amount is under €250, this is considered a simplified invoice and is sufficient.

Important: Take a complete photo of the receipt and upload it directly to Candis.


Example 2: Restaurant Meal Over €250

You invite a client to a restaurant after a meeting. The bill totals €280.

Mandatory details:
Full name and address of the restaurant, invoice date, consecutive invoice number, listed VAT, detailed breakdown of food and beverages, total amount.

Additionally record in Candis:

  • Names of attendees (e.g., “Max Mustermann, client” and “Anna Müller, internal”)

  • Purpose of the meal (e.g., “Project closing discussion”)

  • Your signature on the original receipt

Important: Since the invoice exceeds €250, all full invoice details are required.

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