A cancellation invoice — also known by its German name, Stornorechnung — is a document that formally reverses an invoice you have already issued. It references the original invoice and presents the amounts as a reversal, so that your records and your customer's stay accurate.
Cancelling an invoice you have already issued can feel unfamiliar, particularly when you need a proper document for your bookkeeping. You can now generate a cancellation invoice directly alongside your invoices and quotes, with its own numbering, your branding, and a reference to the original invoice.
Please note that this feature for now is only available on the web-interface and for businesses based in Germany.
Key things to know
It reverses one invoice. A cancellation invoice references the original invoice number and presents the amounts as a reversal.
It works even for invoices issued outside Vivid. You enter the original invoice's number and date by hand, so the original does not need to exist in Vivid. Starting a cancellation directly from an existing Vivid invoice, pre-filled, is planned as a future improvement.
Separate numbering. Cancellation invoices typically use their own series (for example, starting with "S-"), independent of your invoice and quote numbers.
It is not payable. There is no payment link, card payment option, or "mark as paid" action — a cancellation invoice is a reversal, not a bill.
Germany: a structured XRechnung e-invoice is generated alongside the PDF.
How do I create a cancellation invoice?
Open your Vivid Business Account on the web-interface.
Go to Get Paid → Invoicing.
Select "+ Create", then choose Cancellation invoice.
Choose the customer the original invoice was issued to.
Enter the original invoice number and date being cancelled.
Add the line items you are reversing, and, optionally, a reason for the cancellation.
Save it as a draft, or issue it.
Once issued, you can download the document as a PDF. It is titled Stornorechnung and includes its own cancellation number, the cancellation date, and a reference to the original invoice.
Sending a cancellation invoice directly from Vivid is not yet available. For now, download the PDF and share it with your customer yourself, for example by email.
Common questions
Can I cancel an invoice I issued somewhere else, not in Vivid?
Yes — this is one of the main use cases. You create the cancellation invoice from scratch and enter the original invoice's number and date by hand; the original does not need to exist in Vivid.
Why is the cancellation number different from my invoice numbers?
This is by design. Cancellation invoices typically use their own numbering series, separate from your invoices and quotes.
Can my customer pay a cancellation invoice?
No. It is a cancellation, not a bill, so there is no payment link or card payment option.
Does a cancellation invoice affect my bookkeeping?
A cancellation invoice is generally intended to reverse the original invoice for accounting purposes. We recommend recording it in line with your usual bookkeeping practice for a Stornorechnung, and checking with your accountant or tax adviser if you are unsure.
Can I edit a cancellation invoice after creating it?
Yes, while it is still a draft — open it from your invoicing list and edit or delete it as needed. Once issued, it typically cannot be edited.
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