Professional General Invoice Template
A clean, all-purpose invoice with customizable line items, tax fields, and payment terms that works for any industry.
Fill in your general invoice
Edit any line, set your tax rate (0% is fine) and download a PDF. Line amounts, tax and the balance due calculate as you type.
Tax starts at 0%. Enter the rate that applies to you, or leave it at 0 if you do not charge sales tax or VAT.
For example a deposit. The PDF then shows the balance due.
- Nothing is saved on our side. Download the PDF before you leave the page.
- Amounts print with a $ sign. If you bill in another currency, say so in the notes.
- Prefer to edit offline? Download this starting point as Excel (.xlsx) or Word (.docx).
A general invoice template provides a versatile foundation for any business or professional to bill clients. Unlike industry-specific templates, a general invoice adapts to any situation, from product sales to services rendered. This flexibility makes it perfect for multi-service businesses, new ventures, or anyone who needs a professional invoice without specialized formatting. This guide covers best practices for creating effective general-purpose invoices.
What the general invoice covers
What you can do with this template, and what it does not do.
Flexible Product and Service Billing
Invoice for products, services, or both on the same document, with customizable line items that adapt to any business model.
Standard Payment Term Options
Apply common payment terms (Net 15, Net 30, Due on Receipt) with automatic due date calculations and early payment discount support.
Basic Tax Rate Application
Apply standard sales tax, VAT, or GST rates with simple percentage-based calculations, suitable for businesses in single jurisdictions.
Professional Invoice Numbering
Generate sequential invoice numbers automatically, maintaining organized records for accounting and tax purposes.
Client Information Management
Store client details and billing addresses for quick invoice creation, reducing data entry time for repeat customers.
PDF Export and Email Delivery
Export invoices as professional PDFs and send directly via email, ensuring consistent formatting and easy client access.
How to fill in your general invoice
- Your business information: Name, address, phone, email, and tax ID or registration number.
- Client information: Recipient name or company, billing address, and contact details.
- Invoice Number: Unique sequential identifier for tracking.
- Invoice Date: Date the invoice is issued.
- Due Date: When payment is expected.
- Description: Clear description of goods or services provided.
- Quantity: Number of units, hours, or items.
- Unit Price: Price per item, hour, or unit.
- Line Totals: Quantity × unit price for each line.
- Subtotal: Sum of all line items.
- Tax: Applicable sales tax, VAT, or GST.
- Total Due: Final amount owed, prominently displayed.
- Payment terms: Due date, accepted methods, and instructions.
- Keep It Simple: General invoices should be clear and easy to understand.
- Be Complete: Include all necessary information to avoid questions.
- Use Professional Format: Clean layout with consistent fonts and spacing.
- Number Every Invoice: Sequential numbers help with tracking and accounting.
- Include Contact Info: Make it easy for clients to reach you with questions.
- Specify Payment Terms: Clear due dates and accepted payment methods.
- Describe Clearly: Clients should understand what they're paying for.
- Calculate Accurately: Double-check all math before sending.
- Send Promptly: Invoice immediately after delivering goods/services.
- Follow Up: Track invoices and send reminders for overdue payments.
Elements to include in general invoice pricing:
For Products:
- Product name/description
- SKU or item number
- Quantity
- Unit price
- Line total
- Shipping/handling
For Services:
- Service description
- Hours or units
- Rate (hourly, daily, per unit)
- Service date(s)
Common Add-Ons:
- Subtotal of all items
- Discounts (percentage or fixed)
- Shipping costs
- Sales tax
- Total due
Optional Elements:
- PO or reference number
- Project/job name
- Previous balance
- Deposit applied
- Notes or terms
Common payment terms for general invoices:
Standard Terms:
- Due on Receipt: Payment expected immediately
- Net 15: Due within 15 days
- Net 30: Due within 30 days (most common)
- Net 60: Extended terms for larger clients
- 2/10 Net 30: 2% discount if paid in 10 days
Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check
- Bank transfer/ACH
- Credit/debit card
- Online payment (PayPal, etc.)
Late Payment:
- Grace period (optional)
- Late fee percentage or flat amount
- Interest on overdue balances
Sample Language:
- "Payment due within 30 days"
- "Please remit payment to..."
- "Late payments subject to 1.5% monthly fee"
- Missing Information: Include all required details: your info, client info, dates, amounts.
- Vague Descriptions: Be specific about what was provided.
- No Invoice Number: Every invoice needs a unique identifier.
- Missing Due Date: Always specify when payment is expected.
- Math Errors: Double-check all calculations before sending.
- Inconsistent Format: Use the same layout and numbering system.
- No Payment Instructions: Tell clients how to pay you.
- Delayed Sending: Invoice promptly after work is complete.
- Not Following Up: Track payments and follow up on overdue invoices.
- Poor Records: Keep copies of all invoices for your records.
General invoice: frequently asked questions
Related resources
Guides and articles
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