What is an invoice?
An invoice is a document a seller sends to a buyer after a sale, listing what was supplied and asking to be paid. It is also the business's record of the sale for its accounts and taxes.
Nothing is uploaded. The draft stays on this device.
What goes on an invoice
- The word Invoice and a unique invoice number
- The invoice date and the payment due date
- Seller and buyer names and addresses, and tax numbers where needed
- Each item or service, quantity, price and amount
- Tax, discounts and the total due
- How to pay: bank details, a payment link or UPI ID
How to make an invoice, step by step
- Give it the next number in your series, for example INV-0042.
- Add your details and the customer's.
- List what you supplied, with quantities and prices.
- Add tax if you are registered, and any discount.
- Set a due date, often 7, 14 or 30 days.
- Send it as a PDF and keep a copy.
The maker on this page does all of this and saves a PDF.
Invoice vs receipt vs quote
- A quote comes before the sale: the price on offer.
- An invoice comes after the sale: please pay this amount.
- A receipt comes after payment: this amount was paid.
Questions people ask
Is an invoice a bill?
In everyday use, yes: both ask for payment. Some tax systems give the words separate legal meanings, for example the bill of supply under Indian GST.
Do I need to be a registered company to send an invoice?
No. Freelancers and sole traders send invoices too. You only add tax if you are registered for GST or VAT.
How long should I keep invoices?
Usually several years. India expects GST records for at least 72 months after the annual return due date, the UK six years and the UAE five years.