BillCanvas
US United States

Free credit note generator · US

Issue a credit note, not a messy correction.

When an invoice needs to be reduced or reversed, a credit note keeps the paper trail clean. Fill in the form, reference the original invoice, download the PDF.

Your business
Customer
Credit note details
Line items
Totals & notes

Everything runs locally. No file, no field, no customer name is ever uploaded.

Starting from an invoice? Open it and click Create credit note — the details carry over.

How it works

  1. Reference the original. Enter the invoice number this credit note corrects, and pick a reason.
  2. Enter the amount to credit. Add the items being credited — a full reversal or just part of the invoice.
  3. Download and send. The PDF is generated on your device. Keep a copy with your records.

When to issue a credit note

  • Goods were returned, in full or in part
  • An item arrived damaged or faulty and you are reducing the charge
  • A discount was agreed after the invoice was sent
  • An order was cancelled before delivery
  • The invoice had the wrong amount, tax or line items

What a credit note should include

  • The words “Credit note” and a unique credit note number
  • The date it was issued
  • Your business details and the customer's details
  • The number and date of the original invoice
  • The reason for the credit
  • The items, quantities and amounts being credited
  • Any tax being reversed, and the total credit

Credit note vs refund

A credit note records that the amount owed is reduced. A refund is the actual money going back to the customer. You can issue a credit note and then refund the balance, or leave the credit on the account for the next invoice. The note is the paperwork; the refund is the payment.

FAQ

When should I issue a credit note?

When an invoice needs to be reduced or reversed: goods returned, a discount agreed after invoicing, a cancelled order, or a billing error.

Is a credit note the same as a refund?

No. A credit note records that the amount owed is reduced. A refund is the actual payment back to the customer.

Does it need to reference the original invoice?

It should. Referencing the original invoice number and date makes the correction traceable for both you and your client's bookkeeping.

Is my data uploaded?

No. The form, the calculations and the PDF all run in your browser.

More document tools

Invoice

Bill a client and get paid.

Statement of account

Show the corrected balance across invoices.

Quote / Estimate

Price a job before the work starts.

Purchase order

Order goods or services from a supplier.

Timesheet

Log the hours behind an invoice.