Invoice Generator

UK legal requirements for a valid VAT invoice

A full VAT invoice in the UK must include specific information. Missing elements can invalidate the invoice and prevent clients from reclaiming VAT. Required fields:

• Your full legal name (or trading name), address, and VAT registration number
• The client's name and address
• A unique sequential invoice number (no gaps in the sequence)
• Invoice date and tax point (date of supply if different from invoice date)
• Description of goods or services supplied
• VAT rate applied per line item and total VAT charged
• Total excluding VAT and total including VAT

If you are not VAT-registered (below the GBP 90,000 registration threshold from April 2024), do not show a VAT line or claim VAT. State the total payable only.

Late payment: your statutory rights under UK law

The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 gives businesses the right to charge interest on overdue B2B invoices automatically, no need to include it in the contract. The statutory rate is 8% above the Bank of England base rate (approximately 13-14% in 2025). You can also claim a fixed debt recovery compensation:

• Debt up to GBP 999.99: GBP 40 per invoice
• Debt GBP 1,000 to GBP 9,999.99: GBP 70 per invoice
• Debt GBP 10,000 or more: GBP 100 per invoice

Include a note such as: "Late payment interest applies under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act 1998." This signals legal awareness and often accelerates payment.

Making Tax Digital (MTD)

HMRC's Making Tax Digital programme requires VAT-registered businesses to keep digital records and submit returns via compatible software. From April 2026, MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment extends to self-employed individuals and landlords with gross income over GBP 50,000. While this tool generates PDF invoices suitable for most purposes, verify that your record-keeping meets HMRC's digital audit trail requirements if you approach these thresholds.

Privacy

All data stays in your browser. Nothing is stored on any server, the invoice is generated entirely client-side.

Tips for professional UK invoices

• Invoice number: sequential, no gaps (INV-001, INV-002). HMRC expects an auditable trail.
• Payment terms: Net 30 is standard; many freelancers use Net 14. State the due date explicitly.
• Bank details: include sort code and account number (or IBAN for international payments) in the Notes.
• Self-employed: some professional services clients require your UTR (Unique Taxpayer Reference) on the invoice.
• Reverse charge VAT: if supplying services to a VAT-registered business in another EU country, state "Reverse charge, VAT to be accounted for by the customer."

This tool generates a PDF invoice for general use only. It does not constitute tax or legal advice. Verify current VAT thresholds and MTD obligations at gov.uk/hmrc.