GH Fashion Pine Road, Woodstock Cape Town 7405 South Africa
TAX INVOICE
Elevate Consulting Pty Ltd 404 Union Avenue, Pinelands Cape Town 7405 South Africa
Invoice number:1001
Invoice date:10/06/2025
Due date:24/06/2025
ProductHourly rateQuantityTax rateAmount
Project consulting R400 10 15% R4 000
Subtotal:R4 000
Tax:R600
Invoice total:R4 600

signature
Please make payment to Elevate consulting 8843482499192 Absa

What is an invoice?

An invoice is a document that shows that goods or services were sold, and requests payment from the buyer.

As a business owner or freelancer, it’s extremely important to send invoices to get paid for your work.

Why invoices are important

Requests payment from the buyer

When you run a business, or you work as a freelancer, you have to invoice in order to get paid

Documents the sale

Invoices are important documentation that shows what was sold and when it was sold

Adds a professional touch

A professional and complete invoice will assure clients that you’re a serious business partner

When do you send an invoice?

Invoices, also called bills, are sent when you’ve delivered goods or services to your client or customer.

The invoice should be sent as soon as possible after you’ve completed the sale—the due date is calculated from the date the invoice was issued. That means that the quicker you send the invoice—for example with a free invoice app—the quicker you can get paid!

When do you send an invoice?

Timeline of a sale

1. Quote or estimate

A quote is a document that you can send to the potential customer upfront, to show what you’ll be charging for the goods and services they’re considering buying.

A quote can also be called an estimate, but quotes are usually more formal: The quotes look like what the final invoice will look like, but with the header Quote. An estimate, on the other hand, can be as casual as an approximate number in an email.

1. Quote or estimate
2. Proforma invoice

A proforma invoice is a preliminary bill of sale that outlines all the details of the sale.

It ensures clarity and agreement between you and your customers by establishing all the terms and costs upfront.

Usually, the customer gives their approval by signing the proforma invoice.

2. Proforma invoice
3. Invoice

The invoice is sent once the sale is completed. It shows what was sold and tells the clients how to pay you.

You can sign the invoice to give it a more official look.

3. Invoice

5 reasons to use invoicing software🚀

1. Create professional invoices

These invoices include everything you need to get paid on time. Professional and printer-friendly layout ensures that your leave a good impression.

2. Cut costs

With free invoicing software you can get paid without spending a dime. It’s so easy that you can also reduce the time you spend on admin, and allocate your time to the work that really matters.

3. Stay on top of your invoicing

With the Conta dashboard, you can easily access your drafts, see which invoices are unpaid, and see how much you’ve invoiced for. You’ll also get notified once an invoice is overdue, so that you can follow up with your customer.

4. Better customer relationships

Sending correct, professional, and prompt invoices, will help you maintain good customer relationships.

5. Improve cash flow

When you send invoices promptly, you can improve your business’ cash flow. Quickly following up on overdue invoices can also help your liquidity—and with Conta, you’ll be notified as soon as an invoice is overdue.

Important invoice statistics

Source: Clockify.me

Important invoice statistics
Tips to get paid faster when you invoice
  • Make it easy for customers to pay you—include clear instructions on the invoice, and consider offering several payment methods, such as Google Pay or PayPal.
  • Incentivize early payments, for example by offering a discount for upfront payment or payment upon delivery.
  • Agree on payment terms upfront, for example by sending a quote or proforma invoice with payment details.
  • Make sure you work on creating good customer relationships—it can encourage customers to be prompt with their payments
  • And of course: Invoice as soon as possible!
Tips to get paid faster when you invoice

Other benefits of invoicing

Maintain records

With invoices, you can easily know what was sold, who bought it, and when the sale took place

Track payments

Invoices helps both you and your buyer keep track of sales and payments that are due

Ensure the legalities are in place

Invoices are legal documents that can be used to prove the sale if there are disputes

Easily file taxes

Invoices help you accurately report your income and pay the correct amount of taxes

Get an overview of your business

Looking at your invoices can help you track profit, and cash flow, and set up budgets for the upcoming months and years

See how your products are doing

Invoices gives you key insights about your products that you can use for marketing and product development

FAQ

What is an invoice—and other questions

What is an invoice?

An invoice is a document—either printed or in PDF form—that shows that a sale took place and tells the buyer how and when to pay you. An invoice should include all the information the buyer needs to pay you, such as prices, taxes, payment instructions, and due date.

Is an invoice a bill or receipt?

The phrases invoices, bill, and receipt are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re different types of documents.

A bill is a simplified invoice provided at the point of sale, for example when you ask to pay at a restaurant. You’ll be given a bill that shows what you ordered, then once you’ve paid, you’ll be given a receipt.

A receipt documents that payment was made. If you purchase something in a shop and pay with card or cash, you’ll get a receipt to show that you paid.

An invoice shows that something was sold, but that payment has not yet been made. The invoice asks for payment and shows the buyer how to pay, for example via bank transfer.

What is an invoice in simple words?

The most simple way to explain an invoice is that it’s you asking for payment from the person or company who’s purchased goods or services from you.

The invoice should show what you sold, and have clear instructions for how to pay.

What is the difference between a bill and an invoice?

A bill is a simplified invoice that you get at the point of payment. The most common example is the piece of paper you get at a restaurant before you pay with card or cash. After you’ve paid, you get a receipt.

If you sell goods and services, you should invoice your clients to get paid.

Are invoices usually sent just after a sale?

Usually, yes, but there are some exceptions. If you have a long-term contract with a client, you might send invoices on a monthly basis, rather than just after you’ve worked some hours for them.

In some cases, you can also agree to an upfront payment, in which case you can invoice before you provide the goods or services.

What’s an invoice used for?

The most important reason for sending invoices is to get paid, but invoices are also important to document sales, to correctly do your bookkeeping and file taxes, to get an overview of your business, and to operate as a professional business.

What does it mean to make an invoice?

When you make an invoice, you’re creating a document to ask the buyer for payment. The invoice can be made with pen and paper, using invoice pads—but more commonly they’re made online using invoicing software.

What does an invoice usually include?

The invoice should include information about the buyer and seller, the products or services that were sold, as well as payment instructions. Read our article Invoicing 101.

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