Invoice

An invoice is a document sent by a seller to a buyer, indicating the products, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services the seller has provided the buyer. Invoices are typically used by businesses to request payment from customers.

A standard invoice should include the following information:

• Invoice number - A unique number to identify the invoice.
• Invoice date - The date the invoice is issued.
• Customer information - The name and address of the customer.
• Product/service description - A description of the items sold or services provided.
• Quantity - The number of units for each product or service.
• Unit price - The price per unit.
• Total price - The total amount owed by the customer. Calculated by multiplying the quantity and unit price.
• Payment terms - The time period within which the total amount needs to be paid. For example, "Due within 30 days of receipt of invoice".
• Remittance information - Details on how and where to send the payment.
• Company information - The seller's company name, address, contact information, logo, etc.

Invoices provide an official request for payment and record of the transaction. They are essential business documents for managing accounts receivable and ensuring proper payment by clients.

Automated invoice generation software allows accountants and business owners to eliminate risks associated with manual invoicing and reduces the chances of human errors. Integrated invoice generators remove the need for hours of repetitive and tedious tasks related to manual invoicing processes.

Why do you need an Invoice?

Invoices serve several important purposes for businesses:

1. Request for payment: An invoice is a formal request for payment from customers. It specifies the amount owed by the customer for the goods or services provided. Without an invoice, customers may not know how much or when to pay.
2. Record of transaction: Invoices provide a record of the transaction between the seller and buyer. They contain details about the products/services sold, amounts, dates, etc. These records are important for bookkeeping and accounting purposes.
3. Track accounts receivable: Invoices help businesses track their accounts receivable, or money owed to them by customers. By recording which invoices have been paid and which are still outstanding, businesses know how much revenue they are still owed.
4. Checkpoint for services: For ongoing or subscription services, an invoice also acts as a periodic checkpoint to ensure the customer is still using and paying for the services. If there are any issues, they can be addressed before the next billing cycle.
5. Tax records: The records of transactions and payments in invoices may be required to calculate and pay certain business taxes like sales tax or value added tax (VAT). Invoices provide an audit trail for tax authorities.
6. Legal document: Invoices can serve as a legally binding document for services or goods rendered. In the event of a dispute over payment, unpaid invoices can be used as evidence in civil court.

Invoices are crucial for managing customer payments, bookkeeping, accounting, and business operations. They provide benefits to both the seller and buyer in a transaction.

How to Create an Invoice?

Here are the steps to create an invoice:

1. Include your business and contact details. Include your company name, address, phone number, email, website URL, etc. Also include contact details for your customer.
2. Add an invoice number. Issue a unique invoice number for each bill. This helps track payments and keep records organized. You can use a simple numbering system like INV-001, INV-002, and so on.
3. Include the invoice date. The date you generate the invoice. This informs the customer of the time period the bill covers and when the payment is due.
4. Provide a description of the goods or services. List each product sold or service rendered, including details like item numbers, product names, descriptions, sizes, hours worked, rates, etc.
5. Specify the quantity and unit price. State the number of units for each product or service, along with the price for a single unit.
6. Calculate the total price. Multiply the quantity and unit price to get the total for each line item. Then add up all line items to get the grand total amount owed.
7. Choose payment terms. Common options include "Due Upon Receipt" (immediately), "Net 15" (within 15 days), or "Net 30" (within 30 days). Let your customer know when payment is expected.
8. Include remittance details. Provide your payment address and any account details needed like bank account number, online payment link, etc. The customer will need this to remit payment.
9. Double check for accuracy. Review the invoice to ensure there are no errors before sending to the customer. Verify all calculations, product/service details, delivery dates, payment terms, etc.
10. Send the invoice promptly. Mail the invoice, email it, or use billing software to issue the invoice to your customer right away. The sooner it's received, the sooner you'll get paid!

AfterShip also provides a free tool to help create invoice easily, try AfterShip Free Invoice Generator today.