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> US-centric thinking about invoicing, which makes invoicing unusable (I issue invoices only after a successful payment, because I owe tax on all invoices including unpaid)

This sounds strange. I don't think there's anything US-centric about considering an invoice to be a payment request — which makes issuing them after payment nonsensical.

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> invoice to be a payment request — which makes issuing them after payment nonsensical

Most EU countries use an accrual-based VAT system, where taxes are owed on any invoice issued, paid or unpaid.

This makes issuing them before payment nonsensical, because you will end up paying taxes on invoices that will never be paid, thus ruining your business.

A proforma invoice exists specifically for the purposes of quoting and requesting payment.

That doesn't match what I see. Shops don't issue an invoice until the product ships, well after payment.

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