How do I fix BR-DEC-13?

Invoice Navigator automatically fixes this issue by correcting the `cbc:TaxInclusiveAmount` element in your Invoice (BR-DEC-13). You can also use Invoice Navigator's compliance engine to correct this automatically in your pipeline.

Is BR-DEC-13 a critical error?

Yes, BR-DEC-13 is a critical error that will cause invoice rejection. It must be fixed before submission.

Can BR-DEC-13 be automatically fixed?

Many instances of BR-DEC-13 can be automatically corrected using Invoice Navigator's compliance engine. The fix is applied in your pipeline with full audit evidence.

errorEN 16931

`BR-DEC-13`:The allowed maximum number of decimals for the Invoice total VAT amount...

The invoice total VAT amount has too many decimal places. The total tax amount must have a maximum of 2 decimal places.

Severity

Fatal

Rule set

EN 16931

Country

All EU

Fix type

AUTO-FIX

Confidence

95%

Engine Classification

Round invoice total VAT amount to 2 decimal places per EN16931

Confidence: 95% · Applied automatically in pipeline

What is BR-DEC-13?

BR-DEC-13 is a fatal validation rule defined in the EN 16931 specification. It validates the TaxAmount element in the UBL invoice XML.

When this rule fires, the invoice is non-compliant and will be rejected by Peppol access points and national validation services. The sending system receives a rejection response and the invoice does not reach the buyer.

Target path: //cac:TaxTotal/cbc:TaxAmount

Get API Access Test This Error ↓

Why This Error Matters

Invoice will be rejected by validation. VAT total precision is critical for tax reporting and compliance.

BR-DEC-13 is a hard failure. Invoices that trigger this rule are rejected at the access point and never reach the recipient. In Peppol networks, this means your sending system receives an MLR (Message Level Response) with a rejection status. The invoice must be corrected and re-sent, adding delay to your payment cycle.

Invoice Navigator can automatically correct this error in your pipeline. The fix is applied with full audit evidence, so your compliance trail remains intact.

Validator Behavior

·Causes invoice rejection
·Error returned: BR-DEC-13
·Specification: EN 16931

Before / After

Failing XML

<cac:LegalMonetaryTotal>
  <cbc:TaxInclusiveAmount>999.99</cbc:TaxInclusiveAmount>
  <!-- Does not match expected calculation -->
</cac:LegalMonetaryTotal>

Corrected XML

<cac:LegalMonetaryTotal>
  <cbc:TaxInclusiveAmount>100.00</cbc:TaxInclusiveAmount>
  <!-- Matches expected calculation -->
</cac:LegalMonetaryTotal>

Technical Reference

XPath//cac:TaxTotal/cbc:TaxAmount

SpecEN 16931

Operationnormalize

StrategyRound invoice total VAT amount to 2 decimal places per EN16931

Common Causes

·VAT calculation produced extra decimal precision
·Sum of VAT breakdown amounts not rounded
·Tax rate calculation created excess decimals
·ERP exports VAT with full precision
·Multiple tax categories summed without rounding

Seeing this in production? The API handles BR-DEC-13 automatically. See the fix response →

Related Errors

BR-CO-14

Tax subtotal taxable amount mismatch

BR-CO-15

Tax exclusive amount calculation error

Last updated: 27 February 2026

Share this guide:

Handle BR-DEC-13 Automatically in Your Pipeline

The compliance engine auto-remediates this error with controlled safety policies and evidence pack generation.

Get API Access View API Documentation

BR-DEC-13:The allowed maximum number of decimals for the Invoice total VAT amount...