What should an invoice include?
A number of its own, your name and how to reach you, who it’s for, what the work was and when, the date, the amount, the due date and how to pay. In the UK, add the client’s address, and VAT if you’re registered for it. The clearer it is, the less there is to ask about before paying.
- 1
A number of its own
One per invoice, never reused. It’s how you and the client talk about the same invoice.
- 2
Your name, and how to reach you
And your business name, if you trade under one. In the UK, a sole trader using a business name also gives an address where legal documents can be sent.
- 3
Who it’s for
The client’s name. In the UK, their address too, and the company’s name if you’re billing one.
- 4
What the work was, and when
“Six sessions, March to June” tells somebody what they’re paying for. “Services rendered” makes them go and find out.
- 5
The date you sent it
So the due date has something to count from.
- 6
The date it’s due
A date, written out. Not everybody knows what “net 14” means, and nobody should have to count.
- 7
The amount
In the UK, the VAT on its own line if you’re registered for VAT, and the total.
- 8
How to pay
A link that takes a card is the least work you can ask of a client.
In the US, no federal rule sets what an invoice has to show. Those eight are what a client, or a company’s accounts team, expects to find. The invoice template puts all eight on one page to print.
Sent from a client’s row, it carries its number, what it’s for, the amount and a due date from your own setting (14 days to start). The client opens it from the email and pays by card, or sends it on to whoever pays for them.
Sources: GOV.UK, Invoicing and taking payment from customers. Checked 2026-10-10.