What’s the difference between an invoice and a bill?

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the terms 'invoice' and 'bill', and will work on understanding the difference between invoicing and billing.

Before we tell you the difference between invoice and bill, you should understand the definition of both.

What is the definition of an Invoice?

It is a document created at the time of sale that a seller sends to a buyer to outline the details of the sale. It usually adheres to a predefined template.

An invoice, being a legal document has to handled in a certain way like-

1. You must not delete or edit an invoice that has already been sent to a customer.

2. You need to be careful that all your invoices are numbered incomplete, in sequential order.

What is the definition of billing?

If the customer owes some amount, a bill is a document that outlines that amount that is owed by the consumer for goods and services provided and received.

The bill is intended to serve as legal evidence for both the buyer and seller that the sale transaction took place. Billing is most common in grocery stores, merchandise stores, restaurants, and dining establishments, where the customer pays in advance.

Major Difference between Billing and Invoicing

Invoicing	Billing
This is a term used by these businesses that are collecting payments from their customers.	Customers usually refer to invoices as bills while making payments.
The invoice usually includes the name and address of the customer.	Bills are usually generic in nature and contain only amounts and details without any personalization factor.
Invoices have an extended credit limit and the customer pays in full a few days after receiving the invoice for a product or service.	Bills are mostly paid in advance and promptly, with no extension of the credit limit.
Lawyers, accountants, and wholesalers send invoices to their clients.	Bills are usually given at restaurants or salons

Bill vs Invoice Components

Invoice -

• A header with the word invoice

• Business and customer contact information

• Invoice number

• Name and description of the product or service

• Cost per unit and the total amount owed

• The billing date and the due date

• The payment terms

Bill -

Bills usually contain only limited details regarding pricing and taxation. If we look at the bill of a restaurant, there will probably be no information about the customer other than the table number.

Tips for creating better invoices

1. For this, first of all, you should choose good billing and invoicing software. (Try using it properly before taking a subscription) that justifies the services provided. (Try oneGST software for the best experience.)

2. Use appropriate challan number, contact details, and the total amount for instant payment.

3. Establish payment terms and refund policies to avoid confusion at a later stage.

4. Use professional and error-free invoice design to help you make a better impression on your customers.

5. Use some nice words like be polite and thank you and please. For example, "Please pay in full within 10 days"

6. If necessary, seek outside help to generate invoices, for accounting purposes or to collect money from defaulters.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general consumption only. The information in the article was accurate at the time of publication, but it is subject to change due to changes in government rules and regulations. The contents of the blog may not be copied unless prior permission is obtained.

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