UK Invoice Generator Guide 2026
Free HMRC-compliant invoicing for sole traders, freelancers and small businesses · Last updated June 2026 · Not legal or tax advice
GetInvoice is a free browser-based invoice generator built specifically for the United Kingdom. Whether you're a freelancer, sole trader, contractor, or small limited company, you can create a professional, HMRC-compliant PDF invoice in under a minute — no account required, no data stored on our servers.
Everything runs entirely in your browser. Your invoice data never leaves your device — we don't store, log, or transmit any of the information you enter.
What makes an invoice HMRC-compliant?
HMRC sets out the information that must appear on a valid UK invoice. GetInvoice prompts you for all required fields:
- A unique, sequential invoice number
- Your business name and address
- The client's name and address
- The invoice date
- A clear description of the goods or services supplied
- The total amount due
- The VAT rate and amount charged (VAT-registered businesses only)
- Your VAT registration number in the format GB123456789 (VAT-registered businesses only)
If your annual taxable turnover is below the VAT registration threshold (currently £90,000), you are not required to charge VAT — leave the VAT fields blank and your invoice will still be fully compliant.
How to create a free UK invoice online
Using GetInvoice takes less than a minute. Enter your business name and address in the "Your business" section — these are saved locally in your browser so you only need to enter them once. Add your client's details, set the invoice number and date, then add your line items. Each line item has a description, quantity, unit price, and a VAT toggle. The invoice preview updates in real time as you type. When you're satisfied, click "Download PDF" to save a professionally formatted PDF invoice to your device.
Your business details (name, address, VAT number, bank details) persist between sessions using your browser's local storage. Invoice-specific information — client details, line items, invoice number — starts fresh each time, as every invoice is unique.
VAT invoices for UK businesses
If you are VAT-registered, your invoices must show your VAT registration number, the VAT rate applied to each line item, the net amount, the VAT amount, and the gross total. GetInvoice handles all of this automatically when you enter your VAT number and select a VAT rate.
The standard VAT rate is 20%. A reduced rate of 5% applies to certain goods such as domestic fuel and children's car seats. Zero-rated supplies (books, children's clothing, most food) should be shown at 0% on a VAT invoice rather than omitted, so that your VAT records remain accurate. Use our free UK VAT calculator at GetVAT to work out VAT amounts before invoicing.
For cross-border B2B supplies within the EU where the reverse charge applies, GetInvoice adds the required statutory notice ("VAT is to be accounted for by the customer") automatically.
Invoicing as a sole trader
As a UK sole trader, you invoice in your own name rather than a company name, though you can also use a trading name. Your invoice must show your legal name somewhere on the document, even if the trading name appears more prominently. You are not required to include a Companies House registration number — that applies only to limited companies.
Sole traders below the VAT threshold should not include a VAT number or charge VAT. If you later exceed the threshold and register for VAT, you will need to update your invoices accordingly and may need to issue amended invoices for any supplies made after your effective date of registration.
Invoicing as a limited company
Limited companies must include their registered company name (exactly as it appears at Companies House), their registered office address, and their company registration number on all business invoices. GetInvoice includes a "Company registration number" field for this purpose. VAT-registered limited companies must also include their VAT number.
Credit notes
A credit note is used to cancel or reduce a previously issued invoice — for example if goods were returned, a billing error was made, or a discount was agreed after the original invoice was sent. Tick "This is a credit note" in the document type section and GetInvoice will switch to credit note format, reference the original invoice number, and display negative amounts. A valid credit note must reference the original invoice number and use the same VAT treatment as the original.
Late payment legislation
Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, UK businesses are legally entitled to charge interest on overdue invoices at 8% above the Bank of England base rate. You can also claim a fixed debt recovery fee of £40–£100 depending on the invoice value. GetInvoice lets you include this statutory notice on every invoice, which often encourages faster payment without needing to pursue it formally.
How long should I keep invoices?
HMRC requires UK businesses to keep records for at least 6 years (or 10 years for VAT purposes in some cases). Since GetInvoice generates invoices in your browser without storing them on our servers, you are responsible for saving copies of your PDFs. We recommend saving each invoice immediately after downloading and storing it in a named folder organised by tax year.
Disclaimer
GetInvoice is provided for convenience and does not constitute legal or tax advice. You remain responsible for ensuring your invoices comply with current HMRC requirements. If you are unsure about your specific circumstances, consult a qualified accountant or visit GOV.UK — Invoicing and taking payment.
Also from the Get Suite
GetInvoice is part of a suite of free UK business and finance tools. Before invoicing, use GetVAT to quickly add or remove VAT at 20%, 5% or any custom rate. Need to generate a payslip? Try GetPayslip — free estimates including PAYE, National Insurance, student loan and pension deductions. Claiming business mileage? GetMileage is updated for the new 55p HMRC rate for 2026/27. For student loan repayment projections use GetStudentLoan, and for logging contractor hours try GetTimesheet — free UK timesheet generator with PDF download.