Guides
Guides for getting paid
Plain-English guides to invoicing in the US: sales tax by state, free invoice templates by profession, and how-tos for getting paid.
How-to guides
- How to invoice a tax-exempt customerWhat to collect before you skip sales tax, what to write on the invoice, and how long to keep the exemption certificate — for US small businesses.
- How to invoice deposits and partial paymentsHow to bill a deposit, progress payments and the final balance — what each invoice should say, how to show amounts already paid, and how sales tax fits in.
- Net 30 explained (and other payment terms)What Net 30 means, how to calculate the due date, when to choose Net 15 or due on receipt, early-payment discounts like 2/10 Net 30, and chasing late invoices.
- What to put on an invoice (US checklist)Every field a US invoice should include: business details, invoice number, dates, line items, sales tax, payment terms and how to pay, with a checklist.
Sales tax by state
What to charge, when services are taxable, and what to show on the invoice. The rate is the statewide base.
- Alabama4%
- Alaska0%
- Arizona5.6%
- Arkansas6.5%
- California7.25%
- Colorado2.9%
- Connecticut6.35%
- Delaware0%
- District of Columbia6%
- Florida6%
- Georgia4%
- Hawaii4%
- Idaho6%
- Illinois6.25%
- Indiana7%
- Iowa6%
- Kansas6.5%
- Kentucky6%
- Louisiana5%
- Maine5.5%
- Maryland6%
- Massachusetts6.25%
- Michigan6%
- Minnesota6.875%
- Mississippi7%
- Missouri4.225%
- Montana0%
- Nebraska5.5%
- Nevada6.85%
- New Hampshire0%
- New Jersey6.625%
- New Mexico4.875%
- New York4%
- North Carolina4.75%
- North Dakota5%
- Ohio5.75%
- Oklahoma4.5%
- Oregon0%
- Pennsylvania6%
- Rhode Island7%
- South Carolina6%
- South Dakota4.2%
- Tennessee7%
- Texas6.25%
- Utah6.1%
- Vermont6%
- Virginia5.3%
- Washington6.5%
- West Virginia6%
- Wisconsin5%
- Wyoming4%
Invoice templates
Free templates by trade — fill one in online and download a PDF.
- Auto detailing invoicePackages & add-ons
- Auto repair invoiceParts, labor, VIN
- Cleaning invoicePer visit or hour
- Construction invoiceProgress billing
- Consulting invoiceHourly or fixed fee
- Contractor invoiceMaterials & labor
- Electrician invoicePermits & materials
- Free estimate & quote template
- Freelance invoiceProjects & retainers
- Graphic design invoiceRounds & usage rights
- Handyman invoiceParts & labor
- Hourly invoice template
- HVAC invoiceService & installs
- Landscaping invoiceLawn care & seasonal
- Painting invoiceLabor & paint
- Personal trainer invoiceSessions & packs
- Photography invoiceSession, prints, license
- Plumbing invoiceService calls & parts
- Pressure washing invoicePer square foot
- Roofing invoicePer square & deposits
- Trucking invoiceLoads & miles
- Web developer invoiceMilestones & hosting