How do I add sales tax to my invoice?

Enter your state's sales tax rate in the Tax Rate (%) field under Adjustments. For example, enter 8.875 for New York or 10.25 for Chicago. The tax amount is calculated automatically.

How do I create an invoice for 1099 contract work?

Fill in your name or business name, add your services as line items, and set payment terms (Net 30 is standard). Your client will issue you a 1099-NEC at year end for payments over $600 — your invoice is your record of the work billed.

Can I invoice without an EIN?

Yes. Sole proprietors and individual freelancers can invoice using their personal name and address — no EIN required. Just enter your name in the Company / Name field. If you have an EIN, you can include it in the notes field.

Freelancing 5 min readMarch 17, 2026

How to Write a Freelance Invoice (with Free Template)

A professional invoice is the difference between getting paid on time and chasing clients for weeks. Here is everything you need to include — and how to create one in under 60 seconds.

What Is a Freelance Invoice?

A freelance invoice is a document you send to a client requesting payment for services you have completed. It serves as an official record of the work done, the agreed price, and the payment due date.

Unlike a quote or estimate (which outline what work will be done), an invoice is issued after the work is complete — or at agreed milestones — and acts as a formal request for payment.

What to Include on a Freelance Invoice

A professional freelance invoice should include the following fields:

1. Your name and contact details

Full name (or business name), email address, phone number, and address. If you are VAT/GST registered, include your registration number.

2. Client's name and contact details

The client's full name or company name, their billing address, and contact details.

3. Invoice number

A unique identifier for each invoice (e.g. INV-001, INV-002). This makes it easy to reference in communications and accounting.

4. Invoice date

The date the invoice was issued. This is important for calculating payment due dates.

5. Due date

When payment is expected. Common terms: Net 7 (7 days), Net 15, Net 30, or Due on Receipt.

6. Itemised list of services

A clear description of each service, the quantity (e.g. hours worked), the unit price, and the line total.

7. Subtotal, tax, and total

Show the subtotal before tax, any applicable tax (VAT, GST, Sales Tax), discounts, and the final total due.

8. Payment instructions

How the client should pay — bank transfer details, PayPal, Stripe link, or any other preferred method.

How to Set Payment Terms

Payment terms tell your client when you expect to be paid. The most common options are:

Due on Receipt — payment expected immediately upon receiving the invoice. Best for small, one-off projects.
Net 7 — payment due within 7 days. Good for short-term projects or clients you trust.
Net 15 — payment due within 15 days. A balanced option for most freelancers.
Net 30 — payment due within 30 days. Common with larger companies and corporate clients.

As a general rule, the shorter your payment terms, the faster you get paid. Start with Net 14 or Net 15 unless the client specifically requests Net 30. Learn more about payment terms →

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Vague line item descriptions — write "Website homepage design (3 revisions included)" rather than just "Design work".
No invoice number — every invoice needs a unique number for your records and theirs.
Missing payment details — always include exactly how and where the client should pay.
No due date — without a due date, clients have no urgency to pay.
Wrong currency — confirm the invoicing currency upfront, especially for international clients.

Tips to Get Paid Faster

Send the invoice on the same day you complete the work — not days later.
Use shorter payment terms (Net 7 or Net 14 instead of Net 30).
Follow up politely on the due date if payment has not arrived.
Offer multiple payment methods to reduce friction.
For large projects, request a 30–50% deposit upfront before starting.

Also see our dedicated guides: consulting invoice generator, contractor invoice generator, and small business invoice generator.

Create Your Freelance Invoice for Free

Use InvoiceNow Free to create a professional invoice in under 60 seconds. No signup, no watermark.

Create Free Invoice