Free billing generator
Correct an Invoice Without Breaking Your Books
Refund part of a payment or reduce a balance the right way, with a credit note linked to the original invoice, so your records stay accurate and auditable.
- Keeps the original invoice intact for clean bookkeeping
- Automatically updates the client's outstanding balance
- Free to generate. Credit a line item or a custom amount
What is a credit note, and when do I need one?
A credit note is a document that reduces the amount a client owes, or records a refund, without deleting or overwriting the original invoice. Use one when goods are returned, a job needs a partial refund, an invoice had a pricing error after it was sent, or a client was overcharged. It's the correction mechanism that keeps your invoice history honest.
How it works
No accounting background needed. Free account required to save your document.
Answer a few questions
Tell us about your business, your client, and what you're billing for.
Preview your document
Your Credit Note is generated instantly, customized to your answers. Takes about 3 minutes total.
Publish or download
Payable link, PDF, or plain text. Free with a quick sign-up.
Who needs a Credit Note?
Editing a sent invoice directly destroys your audit trail. A credit note fixes the balance while keeping the record straight.
When only part of an order is faulty or returned, a credit note adjusts just that line item, not the whole invoice.
If an invoice went out with the wrong rate or an extra line item, a credit note is the clean way to correct it after the fact.
A documented credit note, linked to its original invoice, is what your bookkeeper or accountant expects to see, not a silently edited invoice.
What is included in your Credit Note
A credit note should make the correction obvious to both you and your client.
The correction
- Reference to the original invoice number
- Line items or amount being credited
- Reason for the credit
The outcome
- Updated balance owed, if the invoice is unpaid
- Refund amount and method, if already paid
- Credit note number for your own records
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Credit Note before you get started?
When should I issue a credit note instead of editing the invoice?
Once an invoice has been sent or paid, editing it directly breaks your record-keeping. A credit note lets you formally reduce the amount owed, or refund part of a payment, while keeping the original invoice intact for your books.
Does a credit note automatically update the client's balance?
Yes. A credit note is linked to the original invoice and immediately reduces the outstanding balance, or records a refund if the invoice was already paid in full.
Can I issue a credit note for only part of an invoice?
Yes. You can credit specific line items or a custom amount, which is common when only part of an order was faulty, returned, or needs a price adjustment.
Issue your first credit note free
Correct a balance the right way, without touching the original invoice.
Create a Credit Note FreeFree to generate. Takes about 3 minutes. Free account required.
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