# How should self-employed individuals create invoices in the UK?
Self-employed individuals in the UK must create professional invoices that meet HMRC requirements: (1) Essential Details - your business name (or full name), address, contact details, client name and address, unique invoice number, invoice date, payment due date, description of work/services, price per item/hourly rate, total amount due, and payment terms; (2) VAT Requirements - if VAT-registered (turnover over £85,000), include your VAT number, VAT amount, and total including VAT; (3) Payment Information - bank details for BACs transfers, accepted payment methods, and any late payment terms. Invoicing best practices for self-employed: use sequential numbering (e.g., INV-001), send invoices promptly upon completion, clearly state payment terms (e.g., "Payment due within 14 days"), include detailed descriptions to avoid queries, keep copies for tax returns and records (minimum 5 years for HMRC), and follow up on overdue invoices professionally. Tools for self-employed invoicing: free options include Wave, PayPal, and Google Docs templates; paid solutions (£5-20/month) like QuickBooks Self-Employed, FreshBooks, and Crunch offer automated invoicing, expense tracking, and Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance. Many self-employed professionals use invoice templates in Word or Excel to start, transitioning to accounting software as their business grows.
## Key Takeaways
- Self-employed individuals in the UK must create professional invoices that meet HMRC requirements: (1) Essential Details - your business name (or full name), address, contact details, client name and address, unique invoice number, invoice date, payment due date, description of work/services, price per item/hourly rate, total amount due, and payment terms; (2) VAT Requirements - if VAT-registered (turnover over £85,000), include your VAT number, VAT amount, and total including VAT; (3) Payment Information - bank details for BACs transfers, accepted payment methods, and any late payment terms.
- Invoicing best practices for self-employed: use sequential numbering (e.g., INV-001), send invoices promptly upon completion, clearly state payment terms (e.g., "Payment due within 14 days"), include detailed descriptions to avoid queries, keep copies for tax returns and records (minimum 5 years for HMRC), and follow up on overdue invoices professionally.
- Tools for self-employed invoicing: free options include Wave, PayPal, and Google Docs templates; paid solutions (£5-20/month) like QuickBooks Self-Employed, FreshBooks, and Crunch offer automated invoicing, expense tracking, and Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance.
## Related Topics
- invoice for self employed
- self employed invoice
- freelance invoice uk
- sole trader invoice