Receipt Generator
Confirm a payment with a professional receipt, itemized line items, and payment details. Add your logo and export a polished PDF — free, no signup.
After payment is received
Once a client pays an invoice made with the Invoice Generator, confirm it with a receipt here. If you need to correct the original invoice instead — for a return, refund, or overcharge — use the Credit Memo Generator.
What to include on a receipt
- Seller name and contact details — so the payer knows who they paid.
- Receipt number and date paid — for both sides' records.
- Itemized goods or services — what was actually purchased.
- Payment method and amount paid — check, card, cash, ACH, etc.
- Running balance — if the payment was partial against a larger invoice.
Frequently asked questions
Should I issue a receipt or an invoice?
Issue an invoice to request payment for work not yet paid. Issue a receipt once payment has already been received — it confirms what was paid, when, and how, rather than asking for money.
What should a receipt include for the payer’s recordkeeping?
A useful receipt shows the seller’s name and contact details, the date paid, an itemized description of what was purchased, the amount and payment method, and a receipt number. Payers should keep receipts as part of their own business records — see IRS Publication 583 for general guidance on what businesses should retain to substantiate income and expenses.
Am I legally required to give a receipt for every sale?
There is no federal requirement to issue a receipt for every sale. Rules requiring one for certain transactions come from state consumer-protection law and vary by state. Issuing a receipt anyway is good practice — it gives the buyer proof of purchase and gives you a paper trail of income received.
How long should I keep copies of receipts I issue?
Generally 3 years from when you filed the return that reported the related income, per IRS Publication 583 — longer (6 years) if income may have been underreported by more than 25%, or indefinitely if a return was never filed or was fraudulent.
Related Calculators
Invoice Generator
Create an itemized invoice with optional sales tax and payment details. Free PDF export, no signup
Credit Memo Generator
Correct an invoice for returns, refunds, or overcharges. Free PDF export, no signup
Statement of Account Generator
Summarize a client's invoices, payments, and outstanding balance. Free PDF export, no signup
Sales Tax Calculator
State + local sales tax rates and nexus obligations