The buying problem: PDF output is not the whole B2B workflow
Many WooCommerce invoice plugins look good on a demo order. The real test is a mixed B2B month: reverse-charge orders, bank-transfer orders, unpaid invoices, refunds, customer downloads, and an accountant asking for clean evidence.
Use this checklist before buying another PDF-only plugin. If the plugin cannot connect checkout VAT data, invoice numbers, payment state, credit notes, and exports, the finance cleanup still lands on you.
Five requirements for B2B invoice readiness
Requirement 1
B2B checkout evidence before invoice issue
Company name, VAT/BTW number, billing country, payment method, and exemption reason should be captured before the invoice number is issued.
Requirement 2
Sequential invoice and credit-note numbers
B2B finance teams usually need invoice numbers separate from WooCommerce order IDs, plus linked credit-note numbers for refunds.
Requirement 3
Reverse-charge wording on the PDF
If VAT is not charged, the invoice PDF should explain why: reverse charge, VAT exempt, domestic exemption, or manual finance decision.
Requirement 4
Bank transfer and proforma support
B2B stores often need a payment request before money arrives and a final paid invoice after reconciliation.
Requirement 5
Accountant-ready export
Month-end export should include invoice number, VAT treatment, paid status, credit-note references, customer details, and PDF links.
Scenario tests before you choose a plugin
| Scenario | Workflow to verify | Weak plugin signal |
|---|---|---|
| EU B2B reverse-charge order | Customer enters company and VAT number → VAT evidence is stored → invoice PDF shows reverse-charge wording → export includes VAT treatment. | The PDF shows €0 VAT but does not explain why, or the VAT ID lives only in a note field. |
| Bank-transfer B2B order | Order is placed with BACS → proforma/payment request is sent → finance marks paid → final invoice date/status is updated. | The plugin issues a final invoice immediately even though no payment has arrived yet. |
| Partial refund after invoice issue | Original invoice is preserved → separate credit note is generated → export links the credit note to the original invoice. | The plugin edits the old invoice or hides refund VAT corrections inside the WooCommerce order timeline. |
| Accountant asks for proof | Finance exports a month of invoices with PDF URLs, payment state, VAT decision, customer VAT ID, and refund links. | Someone still has to reconcile invoice PDFs, order exports, payment status, and tax evidence in a spreadsheet. |
Early-access offer: €49 B2B invoice workflow review
Send your current plugin stack, payment methods, VAT countries, refund workflow, and accounting software. Lattice will map your B2B invoice gaps and recommend the fastest path: keep your PDF plugin, add VAT workflow coverage, or move toward the Lattice Invoices early-access product path.
Send my B2B invoice workflowFAQ
What should a WooCommerce B2B invoice plugin include?
For EU B2B stores, the plugin should cover company and VAT number capture, sequential invoice numbers, reverse-charge wording, credit notes, proforma or bank-transfer workflows, customer PDF downloads, audit trail, and accountant exports.
Is a PDF invoice plugin enough for B2B WooCommerce orders?
Not always. A PDF plugin can create documents, but B2B invoicing also depends on VAT evidence, payment status, credit-note rules, and export data that finance can verify.
Should B2B invoice numbers use WooCommerce order IDs?
Many stores keep invoice numbers separate from order IDs because orders can fail, be cancelled, or include test records. A controlled invoice sequence and a separate credit-note sequence are safer for finance review.
Where does Lattice Invoices fit?
Lattice Invoices is the early-access product path for WooCommerce EU VAT and B2B invoice workflows: VAT fields, invoice numbers, PDFs, credit notes, BACS/proforma, audit trail, reconciliation, and accountant handoff.