# Create an invoice

> Build a one-off invoice from scratch or from an approved quote, with line items, discounts, tax and payment options.

- URL: https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/create-an-invoice
- Section: [Invoices and payments](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices)

An invoice in Tillage can start from an approved quote, so the prices carry over exactly, or from a blank form when the work was never quoted. This page covers both, plus the fields you'll fill in and what each invoice status means.

For invoices that repeat on a schedule, see [Billing schedules](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/billing-schedules).

## Before you start

You can create and save invoices at any time. To send an invoice, mark it issued, copy its link or download its PDF, Tillage needs a connected Stripe account. Until then, those actions show as **Set Up Payments to Send**. See [Set up payments](https://tillage.ai/docs/getting-started/set-up-payments).

## Create an invoice from an approved quote

When a client approves a quote, Tillage offers next steps right away. You can also start from the quote later.

1. Open the approved quote and click **Create Invoice**. If you've just approved it, choose **Invoice Flow** in the **Quote Approved! Choose Next Steps** dialog.
2. Choose **Single Invoice** to bill the full amount at once, or **Scheduled Payments** to split it across several invoices with a payment schedule.
3. Check the **Invoice Title** and add a **PO Number** if your client needs one.
4. Click **Continue to Line Items** and confirm which line items to bill.
5. Click **Create Invoice** (or **Create Invoices** for scheduled payments).

Prices come over as approved, including variance and profit margin. The quote moves to **Invoiced**. To split a project into a deposit and milestones, see [Payment schedules](https://tillage.ai/docs/contracts/payment-schedules).

## Create a standalone invoice

1. Go to **Invoices → All Invoices** and click **New Invoice**.
2. Under **Invoice Details**, enter an **Invoice Title** and choose a **Client**. You can add a new client from the same search box.
3. Set the **Issue Date** and **Payment Terms**. Choosing terms sets the **Due Date** from the issue date; you can still pick a different due date.
4. Add line items (see below).
5. Review the **Payment Preferences** card.
6. Click **Save Invoice**.

The invoice is saved as **Not Sent** (a draft), or **Scheduled** if you turned on **Auto-Send**. Nothing goes to your client until you send it. See [Send an invoice and get paid](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/send-and-get-paid).

### Invoice fields

| Field | What it does |
|---|---|
| **Invoice Title** | Shown to your client at the top of the invoice. |
| **Client** | Required. The invoice goes to this client's contacts. |
| **Issue Date** | The date on the invoice. With **Auto-Send** on, Tillage sends it on this date. |
| **Due Date** | When payment is due. Overdue reminders count from this date. |
| **Payment Terms** | **Due on receipt**, or **Net 7 days** through **Net 90 days**. Your team default comes from [Quote and invoice settings](https://tillage.ai/docs/account/quote-and-invoice-settings). |
| **Auto-Send** | **Send on issue date** emails the invoice automatically when the issue date arrives. |
| **PO Number** | Optional. Printed on the invoice for clients who require one. |
| **Tax** | Shown only if your team turns on the invoice tax field. The label (Tax, VAT, GST) comes from your tax settings. |
| **Discount** | **%** or **$**, applied after profit margin and before tax. |
| **Description (Optional)** | A note that appears on the invoice. |

### Add line items

In the **Line Items** card, use any of these:

- **Add Line Item** for a blank row: title, description, quantity and unit price.
- **AI Generate** to draft line items from a description. Pick a client and enter a title first. This uses your team's AI key; see [AI providers](https://tillage.ai/docs/integrations/ai-providers).
- **Template** to start from a saved quote template.
- **Service** to pull in a service from your [service library](https://tillage.ai/docs/quotes/service-library).

Drag rows to reorder them. While you're creating an invoice, the **Profit Margin** and **Default Variance** controls sit in the **Line Items** header, the same as on quotes. The summary on the right shows **Base Subtotal**, **With Variance**, **With Profit Margin**, any discount and tax, and the **Total**. The math is in [Formulas](https://tillage.ai/docs/reference/formulas).

> **Note:** Variance and margin controls appear only while creating an invoice. When you edit an invoice later, the line totals are fixed and the summary shows a plain **Subtotal**.

### Payment preferences

The **Payment Preferences** card controls how this invoice can be paid online.

- **Credit Cards** and **Bank Transfers** under **Allowed Methods**. Bank transfers are available only where Stripe supports a local bank debit for your country and currency, and only once it's turned on for your Stripe account.
- **Payment Note** adds your own payment instructions, such as wire details for clients who pay offline.

If Tillage has turned on per-invoice fee overrides for your team, you'll also see **Waive Platform Fee** and **Waive Processing Fee** here. See [Processing fees](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/processing-fees#waive-fees-on-one-invoice).

## Other ways to start an invoice

- **Duplicate**: from the invoice's actions menu, choose **Duplicate Invoice**. Tillage opens a copy as a new draft for you to review and save.
- **New Invoice for Client**: from a draft invoice's actions menu, start another invoice for the same client.
- **Import**: bring in past invoices from Stripe, Harvest, QuickBooks IIF or a CSV file. See [Import from Stripe](https://tillage.ai/docs/integrations/stripe-import), [Import from Harvest](https://tillage.ai/docs/integrations/harvest-import) and [QuickBooks, CSV and JSON import](https://tillage.ai/docs/integrations/quickbooks-and-csv-import).

## Edit, revert or delete an invoice

- **Edit**: choose **Edit Invoice** from the actions menu, make changes and click **Update Invoice**.
- **Revert to Draft**: if you issued an invoice by mistake, you can return it to a draft as long as it hasn't been paid, isn't mid-payment and hasn't been refunded.
- **Delete**: only drafts can be deleted. Once an invoice has been issued, revert it to a draft first.

## Invoice statuses

| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **Not Sent** | A draft. Only your team can see it. |
| **Scheduled** | Auto-send is on; Tillage will send it on the issue date. |
| **Issued** | Sent to the client, or marked issued without an email. Waiting for payment. |
| **Late** | Past due and unpaid. |
| **Processing** | A payment is in progress, usually a bank transfer that takes a few business days. |
| **Verifying** | The client's bank account needs verification before the payment can go through. |
| **Paid** | Paid in full, online or recorded by you. |
| **Partial Refund** / **Refunded** | Some or all of a payment was refunded. |
| **Cancelled** | No longer collectible. |

## Related

- [Send an invoice and get paid](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/send-and-get-paid)
- [Billing schedules](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/billing-schedules)
- [Record payments and refunds](https://tillage.ai/docs/invoices/record-payments)

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