How to write an invoice

When you sell a product or service, you need to give your customers an invoice. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy - you can even make it on a Word Document.

It’s different to a receipt. An invoice is given before payment and a receipt can be given after payment.

Invoices are really important for legal and accounting reasons, so it’s super important your invoices are made properly.

‍Here are the things your invoices MUST include:

‍

1. Make it clear that it’s an invoice – so write ‘Invoice’ at the top.
2. Your customer’s company name and address.
3. Have a unique reference –for example: 1005, COMPANYCLIENTDATE, etc.
4. The date of sale and the date you sent the invoice.
5. A description of what you’re charging for.
6. The amounts you’re charging.
7. If you’re VAT registered – the VAT amounts and yourVAT number.
8. Total payment amount.
9. How the customer should pay and the payment deadline.
10. If you’re a limited company you must include your registered company name, address and contact information.
11. If you’re a sole trader you must include your name and the address where legal documents can be sent to.