> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.companio.co/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# How can I generate accounting-compliant invoices from Shopify?

Shopify is an excellent platform for managing online sales, but the invoices and order documents it generates by default are designed for **e-commerce operations**, not for **accounting or tax reporting**.

Because of this, Shopify invoices often **do not include all the financial information required for proper bookkeeping or tax compliance**.

# Why Shopify invoices are not accounting-compliant
Invoices generated directly by Shopify frequently **lack key financial details**, such as: A **clear subtotal (net amount before VAT), a** **defined taxable base used to calculate VAT, and a** **structured VAT breakdown suitable for accounting reports**

Even if the invoice shows a **VAT amount and total**, the missing subtotal means accountants must **manually recalculate the taxable base**, which can lead to errors and is not acceptable for proper accounting or audits.
For accounting systems like Companio’s, invoices must contain **clear financial structure** so they can be validated and reconciled correctly. 

# How to generate proper invoices from Shopify
To produce accounting-ready invoices, Shopify merchants should use **one of the following two solutions**.

### Option 1 (Recommended): Use a Shopify invoice app
The simplest and most reliable solution is installing a **dedicated invoicing app**.
These apps automatically generate invoices that include all required accounting information, such as:
* Subtotal (net amount)
* VAT amount and rate
* Total amount
* Seller legal details
* Proper invoice structure for tax reporting

###### Recommended apps (EU-friendly)
* **Sufio – Professional Invoices** (paid, highly compliant)
* **Order Printer Pro** (free plan + paid tiers)
* **Simple Invoice – Order Printer** (free plan with basic usage)

###### How to set it up
1. Go to **Shopify Admin → Apps → Shopify App Store**
2. Search for one of the recommended invoice apps
3. Install the app
4. Enable **automatic invoice generation**
5. Verify that invoices display:
    * Subtotal (before VAT)
    * VAT amount
    * Total

| This option is strongly recommended for long-term compliance and clean accounting.

### Option 2: Customize Shopify’s Order Printer template (100% Free)
If you prefer a **free solution**, you can use Shopify’s **Order Printer** app. However, it requires a **small template modification**, because Shopify does **not display the subtotal by default**.

###### What this solution involves
* No cost
* No invoice limits
* One small template change (no advanced coding required)

###### Step-by-step: Add the Subtotal using Order Printer

###### 1. Install Order Printer
1. Go to **Shopify Admin → Apps**
2. Search for **Order Printer (by Shopify)**
3. Install the app

###### 2. Open the invoice template
1. Go to **Apps → Order Printer**
2. Click **Templates**
3. Open the **Invoice** template
4. Click **Edit**

###### 3. Add the subtotal calculation
Paste the following code **above the VAT / Tax line** in the template:
```
{% assign subtotal = 0 %}
{% for item in order.line_items %}
  {% assign subtotal = subtotal | plus: item.line_price %}
{% endfor %}

<p>
  <strong>Subtotal:</strong>
  {{ subtotal | money }}
</p>
```
This code calculates and displays the **net subtotal**, which accountants need to validate VAT calculations, identify the taxable base and prepare accurate accounting and tax reports

###### 4. Save and test
1. Click **Save**
2. Open any order
3. Print or download the invoice

Finally, confirm that the invoice now includes the Subtotal, VAT and Total

|| Important note: Shopify’s default documents are order summaries, not accounting-grade invoices. Without installing an invoicing app or customizing the template, subtotals are missing meaning that VAT bases must be manually recalculated.