Receipt or invoice: what's the difference?
A receipt is proof that a customer has already paid. An invoice is a request for payment that hasn't happened yet. If someone is paying at the counter, give them a receipt. If you're billing them to pay later, use the invoice generator, then hand over a receipt once they pay.
What a receipt should show
There's no single national format, but a useful receipt answers who, what, when and how much:
- Your business name and phone number
- The date and time of the sale
- A receipt number, so you can find the sale later
- Each item, with quantity and price
- Subtotal, sales tax and total
- How the customer paid: cash, card, Cash App or Zelle
- Your return or warranty terms
This receipt maker includes all of these. The customer name is optional, which suits quick counter sales.
Sales tax on receipts
Show sales tax as its own line, separate from the subtotal. Customers can see what they paid in tax, and your totals are easier to reconcile when you file. Rates depend on your state, and often your city or county, so enter your combined local rate. The maker remembers it on this device. If an item isn't taxable where you are, check your state's rules; many states tax accessories and devices but treat repair labor differently.
A few states have no statewide sales tax. If that's you, leave the rate at 0 and the receipt won't show a tax amount.
Receipt numbers
Receipts are numbered S-001, S-002 and so on, counting up on this device. A unique number makes returns and warranty claims simple: the customer brings back the receipt, you match the number, done.
Printing and saving
Print goes straight to your printer. Download PDF saves a copy you can text or email to the customer, which is handy on a phone. Nothing you type is sent to us.
Want every sale saved and searchable by customer phone number, with a cash drawer and end-of-day count? A free PhoneShopPOS account keeps all of it.