What an invoice needs.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Your business name and address Your registration number, if registered Your tax identification number, where required A unique invoice number The date The customer's name and address What was supplied The amount, and any tax Payment terms and due date Your payment details
THE INVOICE NUMBER
Sequential and unique.
Never reuse or skip deliberately.
THE DUE DATE
A specific date, not "30 days".
A date is harder to ignore.
YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS
Clear and complete.
An invoice without them delays payment.
WHAT TO STATE
Which account payments go to, and that your details never change.
That protects customers against redirection fraud.
WHEN TO ISSUE IT
Immediately on completion or delivery.
Delayed invoicing produces delayed payment.
WHAT TO KEEP
A copy of every invoice, numbered sequentially.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Delete or edit a sent invoice.
Issue a credit note instead.
