Invoicing guides
What an invoice is, how to make one, what to include, numbering, payment terms, taxes and credit notes — practical guides for freelancers and contractors.
Start here
Going deeper
- 4 min readInvoice numbering best practicesHow to number invoices so they stay unique, sequential and easy to file: prefixes, year tokens, zero padding, gaps and voids, and a one-time setup.
- 5 min readInvoice payment terms explainedWhat invoice payment terms mean — due on receipt, Net 30, deposits, milestones, early-payment discounts and late fees — with plain wording you can use.
- 5 min readInvoice vs receipt vs quote: which document to send whenThe difference between a quote, pro forma invoice, invoice, receipt and credit note — what each does, when to send it, and making them from one template.
- 5 min readHow to invoice international clientsInvoicing clients abroad: choosing and formatting the currency, bank details that work across borders, fees and exchange rates, and tax questions to ask.
- 5 min readVAT and sales tax on invoices: the basicsWhat VAT, GST and sales tax mean for your invoices: registration, what a tax invoice shows, taxable and exempt lines, how tax is calculated, and sources.
- 5 min readOverdue invoice reminder templatesCopy-and-adapt emails for chasing an overdue invoice: a courtesy note, first reminder, firm second notice and final notice — plus when to send each.
- 5 min readHow to add a logo to an invoiceAdd a logo to your invoice that prints sharp and stays small: the right file format, size and placement, matching colours and checking the PDF.
- 5 min readWhat is an invoice? Definition, purpose and exampleAn invoice is a request for payment that records what was sold, to whom and for how much. What it does, what it must contain and the types you will meet.
- 5 min readInvoice example: a sample invoice explained line by lineA complete invoice example for a design project — number, dates, parties, line items, tax, totals and payment details — and what each part is for.
- 5 min readProforma invoice: what it is, when to use it and how it differsA proforma invoice states what a buyer will be charged before goods ship or work starts. What it is for, what it must say, how it differs from an invoice.
- 5 min readCredit note: what it is and when to issue oneA credit note reverses all or part of an invoice you already sent. When to issue one, what it must contain and how to number it so your records stay clean.
- 5 min readHow to write an invoice email (with templates)What to put in the subject and body when you email an invoice, how to attach the PDF, and five invoice email templates from first send to reminder.
- 5 min readHow to invoice as an individual (without a company)You can invoice as a private individual or sole trader without a company. What changes on the invoice, what to check with your tax office, how to get paid.
Reading about invoices is the slow way
The fast way takes about four minutes.