What a receipt should show
A receipt confirms that money changed hands. It should let both you and your customer see exactly what was paid, when, and how.
- Your business name and contact details
- A receipt number and the payment date
- What was purchased, with quantities and prices
- Discounts and tax, shown separately
- The amount actually received and the payment method
- Any balance still owed, if this was a partial payment
Partial payments are labelled honestly
If the amount received is less than the total, the receipt says “Partial payment” and shows the remaining balance. It's only marked “Paid in full” when the payments cover the whole amount.
If you invoiced the customer first, open the saved invoice and choose “Record payment”. The receipt is filled in from the invoice and the invoice balance updates automatically.
Card payments without the risk
For card payments, you can add the last four digits so the customer recognizes the charge. The generator never asks for a full card number, and you shouldn't put one in the notes either.
Example: retail sale with a discount
A small shop selling two items with a 10% discount and 6% sales tax, paid by debit card.
| Description | Qty | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handmade ceramic mug | 2 each | $28.00 | $56.00 |
| Serving platter | 1 each | $64.00 | $64.00 |
| Subtotal | $120.00 | ||
| Discount (10%) | -$12.00 | ||
| Tax (6%) | $6.48 | ||
| Total | $114.48 | ||
Discounts are applied before tax by default. You can change that under calculation settings.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an invoice and a receipt?
An invoice asks for payment. A receipt confirms a payment was received. Many businesses send an invoice first and a receipt once the customer pays.
Can I make a receipt for a partial payment?
Yes. Enter the amount actually received. The receipt shows the payment, any earlier payments, and the remaining balance, and it won't say “Paid in full” unless the total is covered.
Can I turn an invoice into a receipt?
Yes. Save the invoice, then use “Record payment” on it. You enter the amount, date, and method, and a matching receipt is created without retyping anything.
Is it safe to include card details?
Only include the last four digits. The generator only accepts four digits for card payments and never stores a full card number.