# BR-48 VAT breakdown category rate is required unless not subject to VAT

Each VAT breakdown (BG-23) shall have a VAT category rate (BT-119), except if the Invoice is not subject to VAT.

## Problem Description

Each VAT breakdown (BG-23) shall have a VAT category rate (BT-119), except if the Invoice is not subject to VAT.

> **ERROR**: XRechnung 3.0

## Context and Significance

This rule comes from the EN16931 core semantic model enforced by the KoSIT XRechnung 3.0.2 Schematron, ensuring invoices carry the mandatory data needed for automated processing.

## Solution

Add cac:TaxCategory/cbc:Percent to each VAT subtotal; use 0 for exempt or zero-rated categories, and omit it only for the not-subject-to-VAT category O.

- validate
- convert

## Valid Examples

- BT-119 = 19 for standard rate
- BT-119 = 0 for an exempt category

## Invalid Examples

- Standard-rate VAT subtotal with no BT-119 rate

## Code Examples

### Valid XML
```
<cac:TaxSubtotal>
  <cbc:TaxableAmount currencyID="EUR">100.00</cbc:TaxableAmount>
  <cbc:TaxAmount currencyID="EUR">19.00</cbc:TaxAmount>
  <cac:TaxCategory>
    <cbc:ID>S</cbc:ID>
    <cbc:Percent>19</cbc:Percent>
    <cac:TaxScheme><cbc:ID>VAT</cbc:ID></cac:TaxScheme>
  </cac:TaxCategory>
</cac:TaxSubtotal>
```

### Invalid XML
```
<cac:TaxSubtotal>
  <cbc:TaxableAmount currencyID="EUR">100.00</cbc:TaxableAmount>
  <cbc:TaxAmount currencyID="EUR">19.00</cbc:TaxAmount>
  <cac:TaxCategory>
    <cbc:ID>S</cbc:ID>
    <cac:TaxScheme><cbc:ID>VAT</cbc:ID></cac:TaxScheme>
  </cac:TaxCategory>
</cac:TaxSubtotal>
```

## Affected Fields

- [BT-119 VAT category rate](/resources/xrechnung/bt-119-vat-category-rate)

## Related Rules

- [BR-45](/resources/kosit-validator-errors/br-45-vat-breakdown-taxable-amount-required)
- [BR-46](/resources/kosit-validator-errors/br-46-vat-breakdown-tax-amount-required)

## Validation Tools

- [Official KoSIT Validator](https://erechnungsvalidator.service-bw.de/): Validate your XRechnung files against all BR-DE rules.
- [Convert PDF to XRechnung](/pdf-to-xrechnung): Automatic validation error fixes when converting.

## Related Resources

- [Official Specification](https://xeinkauf.de/xrechnung/)
- [Test Suite](https://github.com/itplr-kosit/xrechnung-testsuite)
- [Complete Error List](/resources/kosit-validator-errors): Overview of all German XRechnung validation rules.