Free Invoice Template for Freelancers (UK)
Freelancers usually invoice businesses, and businesses pay against clear invoices: what was done, when, at what rate, and by which date. Getting the basics right is the difference between being paid in 14 days and chasing for 60.
Create this invoice free
Opens the Invoice Maker set up for freelancers. Start straight away, no account needed; a free account keeps your invoices and lets you download and send them (5 a month).
Example invoice for freelancers
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website updates and bug fixes, week 40 | 12 | £45.00 | £540.00 |
| Project meeting and planning | 2 | £45.00 | £90.00 |
| Subtotal | £630.00 | ||
| Total due | £630.00 | ||
Not VAT registered, so no VAT is charged. Payment due within 14 days by bank transfer or card.
What every UK invoice must include
- A unique invoice number, in sequence
- Your name or business name, address and contact details
- The customer’s name (or business name) and address
- A clear description of what you are charging for
- The date the goods or services were supplied
- The date of the invoice
- The amount for each item, and the total amount owed
- VAT details, only if you are VAT registered
If you are a sole trader, show your own name and any business name you trade under. If you run a limited company, use the full registered company name. VAT invoices are only needed when you are VAT registered.
Worth adding for freelancers
- The period or project the work covers
- Hours or days and your rate
- The client’s purchase order number, if they gave you one
- Your payment terms, for example 14 or 30 days
Tips to get paid faster
- Ask for the purchase order number before you start: many companies cannot pay an invoice without one.
- Put your payment terms on every invoice.
- Business customers who pay late may owe you interest and a fixed fee under UK late payment law.
Business customers who pay late may owe you statutory interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed sum of £40, £70 or £100 depending on the size of the debt. This does not apply to private individuals.
With a free account you can connect Stripe, and every invoice gets a “Pay online” link and QR code, so customers can pay by card or Apple Pay straight away.
Frequently asked questions
What payment terms should freelancers use?
Many use 14 or 30 days. If nothing is agreed, the law sets a default of 30 days for business customers.
What can I do if a business pays late?
You can claim statutory interest of 8% above the Bank of England base rate, plus a fixed sum of £40, £70 or £100 depending on the amount owed. This applies to business customers, not consumers.
Do I need to be VAT registered?
Only once your taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in a rolling 12 months. You can register voluntarily below that.
Is the invoice template really free?
Yes. You can start an invoice straight away without an account. To download it as a PDF, email it or keep it, you create a free TaxEase UK account, which includes 5 invoices a month and card payments through Stripe.
Create this invoice free
Opens the Invoice Maker set up for freelancers. Start straight away, no account needed; a free account keeps your invoices and lets you download and send them (5 a month).
More invoice templates
TaxEase UK is an independent software product. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by HMRC or the UK Government. This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Example prices are illustrative only.