Small business invoices

Small business invoicing FAQ

Do small business invoices need to include tax?

Yes. Enter the rate that applies (sales tax, VAT, GST/HST or PST), with a second tax line if you need state plus local or GST plus PST. Issueable shows the tax separately on the invoice and in the totals.

Can I use the same invoice template for all my clients?

Yes, if you subscribe. Subscribers can save a template with their logo, business address, and standard payment terms, then change the client details on each invoice.

What if I operate in multiple states or provinces?

Issueable works for businesses in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia, and validates addresses in all 50 US states and Canada's 13 provinces and territories. You enter the tax rate yourself, so it always matches the rate you're registered to charge.

Net-30 vs Net-60, which payment terms should I offer?

Net-30 is the small-business default and most B2B clients expect it. Net-15 is reasonable for new clients or smaller engagements. Net-60 is common with large enterprise customers but ties up your cash longer. Only offer it if your margins (or your line of credit) can absorb the wait. State terms explicitly on every invoice and consider an early-payment discount (e.g. "2/10 Net 30", 2% off if paid within 10 days) to accelerate collections.

When does an invoice become legally enforceable?

An invoice on its own isn't a contract; it's a request for payment under an existing agreement (a signed contract, an accepted quote, or a purchase order). For the invoice to hold up in collections or court you need (1) a clear underlying agreement, (2) the invoice clearly references that agreement (PO number, quote number, or signed-SOW reference), and (3) you keep records of delivery (signed delivery receipts, completed deliverables, sent emails). Issueable invoices include a notes/reference field where you can cite the PO or contract number.

How do I handle sales tax when selling across state lines?

Since the South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling (2018), most states require remote sellers to collect sales tax once you cross an economic nexus threshold (typically $100K in sales or 200 transactions per state per year). Track your sales by destination state and register where you have nexus. Issueable supports two tax lines so you can apply state + local rates correctly. For complex cases, use Stripe Tax or TaxJar to automate the calculation and let Issueable handle the document rendering.

Should my invoice number follow a specific format?

Auditors and accountants prefer sequential numbering (INV-1001, INV-1002, ...) without gaps, because gaps suggest missing invoices. Common patterns include year-based prefixes (2026-001, 2026-002), client-coded prefixes (ACME-001), or pure sequence (INV-1001). Pick one and stick with it. Issueable lets you set any number you want, so use whichever pattern you've picked.

Can I customize the invoice with my company colors and logo?

Yes. Upload your logo (PNG, JPEG, or WebP up to 200 KB) and pick from twelve visual themes: classic, modern, executive, studio, minimalist, contractor, compact, detailed, nordic, carbon, aurora, and midnight. Each theme has its own accent palette, so even though every theme uses your logo, the surrounding chrome reads differently. Subscribers can save themes per template so each client gets the same consistent look every month.