What a UK invoice should include
For a business that is not VAT-registered, an invoice should show: the word “invoice”, a unique invoice number, your business name and address, the customer’s name and address, the invoice date, the date of the work or supply, a description of what was supplied, the amount due and the payment terms. Limited companies should also show their registered company name and number.
A VAT invoice also needs your VAT registration number, the date of supply (tax point), the unit price and VAT rate for each item, and the total VAT. For UAE tax invoices, show your TRN, the words “Tax Invoice” and the VAT at 5%.
Worked example
Two items – website design £450 and hosting £60 – with VAT at 20%:
- Subtotal: £510
- VAT 20%: £102
- Total due: £612
Tips for getting paid
- Use a clear numbering system (INV-001, INV-002…) and never reuse a number.
- State the payment terms (“within 14 days”) and how to pay – bank details or a payment link.
- Late payment: for business-to-business invoices in the UK you can usually claim statutory interest and compensation under the late payment rules.
- Keep a copy of every invoice you send – HMRC expects records for at least 5 years after the 31 January filing deadline.
Privacy
Your invoice is put together and turned into a PDF on your own device. Nothing is uploaded, and nothing is saved when you close the page – download the PDF before you leave.
Numbering, dates and records
The invoice date is when you issue it; the due date is when payment is expected – 14 or 30 days later is common. If you are VAT-registered, the tax point is usually the date the goods or services were supplied. Keep invoices in order with no gaps in the numbering, so you and your accountant can see that nothing is missing.
Download a copy for your own records as well as the one you send to the customer.