A tax invoice is a specific type of invoice showing the amount of tax payable on a transaction. If your business charges tax on goods or services, this amount should be itemised on a tax invoice.

So, how exactly do tax invoices work and what should you include in one? Let’s take a look.

Tax invoice meaning

Like a regular business invoice, a tax invoice is a document used to itemise and record a transaction between a supplier and a buyer. What makes a tax invoice different is that it also includes the amount of tax payable as part of the transaction.

For example, let’s say a business needs to create an invoice for $100 worth of goods and services, plus collect 10% sales tax. Generally speaking, a tax invoice would show the subtotal without tax ($100), the tax payable (10% or $10) and the combined total ($110).

Why are tax invoices important?

Tax invoices are important because they show that a business is legally entitled to collect tax on a transaction. 

In many countries, if your business is registered to collect tax, you’ll need to use a tax invoice to be compliant with government tax laws and to ensure your accounting records are accurate for the financial year.

When to use a tax invoice

Requirements for tax invoices differ from country to country. That said, some of the most common reasons to use a tax invoice include:

• To show that your business is entitled to collect tax on transactions
• To show which items on an invoice are taxable and which exclude tax (if applicable)
• To determine the accounting period in which tax is to be accounted for, e.g. monthly, quarterly or annually

Key elements of a tax invoice

Generally speaking, the main elements to include in a tax invoice are as follows:

• The words 'tax invoice', usually at the top of the invoice
• Name, address and contact details of the seller
• Invoice number
• Date of issue of the invoice
• Name and address of the buyer
• Sales tax registration/sales tax registration 
• The quantity of goods/services
• The price per unit without tax
• The tax payable per unit
• Subtotal without tax
• The total amount of tax payable
• The combined total including taxes
• Payment details
• Terms of payment

The guidelines regarding tax invoices can differ from country to country, so it’s a good idea to check the rules with your local tax authority or a tax advisor.

Tax invoice example

Here’s an example of a typical tax invoice format:

Tax invoice best practices

Having good invoicing processes in place help to keep your cash flow in check, maintain accurate accounting records and meet your tax obligations.

Follow these best-practice tips:

• Know what to include in your tax invoices: This can differ from country to country, so check the rules with your local tax authority.
• Don’t skip the details: Make sure all the essentials are included and that your invoice is as easy as possible for customers to understand.
• Keep records: Maintain up-to-date records of all your invoices in a central location. 
• Follow up unpaid invoices: Stay on top of invoice due dates to avoid payment delays that can negatively impact your cash flow.

QuickBooks invoicing software makes it easy to create professional tax invoices and accept payments in one place. 

With QuickBooks' invoicing features, you can send custom invoices, automate sending invoices to repeat customers, schedule automatic invoice reminders and streamline your record-keeping. Financial statements update in real-time, immediately reflecting shifts in your accounts receivable and bank account balances.