Free Invoice Generator — Create & Download Invoice PDFs

No. The whole tool runs in your browser tab using pdf-lib — the same library that powers our PDF Merge, Split, and Compress tools. Nothing is uploaded, transmitted, or stored on a server. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network and watching while you click "Download Invoice PDF" — there's no upload request. If you close the tab without downloading, the data is gone.

No. The PDF is your document — no Mubboo logo, no watermark, no "created with…" footer. We deliberately built it that way so you can send the invoice to clients without it looking like you used a free tool. The only thing we ask in return is a link back if you write about us; no obligation either way.

At minimum: your business name and address, the client's name and address, an invoice number, the invoice date, a due date or payment terms, a list of line items (description / quantity / rate / amount), the subtotal and total. If you collect sales tax, include the tax rate and tax amount as a separate line. Optional but recommended: payment instructions (ACH details, mailing address for checks) and a late-fee policy if you charge one.

Use a simple sequential scheme — INV-001, INV-002, INV-003 — or include the year (2026-001, 2026-002). The IRS doesn't mandate a specific format, but sequential numbering makes bookkeeping and audit defense easier. Skipping numbers (going from INV-005 to INV-010) is fine; what matters is that you never reuse a number for two different invoices.

"Net X" means payment is due X days after the invoice date. Net 30 (30 days) is the small-business default and the term most large clients expect. Net 15 is common for retainer-based services. Net 60 is rare and usually only offered to enterprise clients with strong credit. "Due on receipt" means payment is expected immediately — useful for one-off projects or when working with new clients you haven't credit-checked.

For project work, send the invoice immediately after delivering the deliverable — same day is ideal. For retainer or recurring work, invoice on a fixed cadence (1st of the month is common). The longer you wait between completing work and invoicing, the lower your collection rate; invoices sent within 7 days of delivery have measurably higher on-time payment rates than invoices sent 30+ days late.

Day 1 past due: send a friendly reminder by email. Day 7: phone call. Day 14: formal email referencing the invoice number, due date, and late-fee policy. Day 30: certified mail demand letter. Day 60+: small-claims court if under your state's limit (typically $5,000-$15,000) or a collections agency if larger. Most invoices that go past 60 days are never paid voluntarily — escalate sooner rather than later.

Yes, if you paid any individual or non-corporate entity $600 or more for services during the tax year, you must issue Form 1099-NEC by January 31 of the following year. Collect a W-9 from each contractor BEFORE you pay them so you have the TIN ready at year-end. The 1099-NEC reports the gross amount on each invoice — your invoice generator just produces the invoice; bookkeeping captures it for 1099 prep.

Federally, no — sole proprietors can invoice clients in their personal name from day one. Practically, you'll look more legitimate (and avoid handing clients your SSN every time you fill out a W-9) if you form an LLC and get an EIN first. Our Business Startup Checklist walks through both steps; the LLC vs S-Corp Calculator helps you decide on tax structure once you cross about $50K in net income.

Sequential numbering is the rule. The two common schemes are simple sequential (INV-001, INV-002, INV-003…) and year-based (2026-001, 2026-002…). Year-based makes it easier to file-system organize by year; simple sequential is faster mentally when you're invoicing dozens per year. The IRS doesn't mandate a format, but they will care that you can't reproduce the same number for two different invoices — that's how audits flag possible fabrications. Whatever you choose, write the next number in your notes app so you don't accidentally reuse one.

Depends on your state and what you sell. Most US states don't tax pure service work (consulting, design, software development, photography in many states). Tangible goods almost always require sales tax. Mixed services with deliverables (web development that produces a website asset) sometimes fall under a state's "specified digital products" tax — California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut have notably aggressive interpretations here. If you're not sure, check your state Department of Revenue website or talk to a CPA. Getting this wrong can lead to back-tax assessments years later.

Net 30 is the default for US small business and what most enterprise AP departments are set up to expect. Net 15 is appropriate for retainer relationships where the client is already monthly-billing-aware. "Due on receipt" works for one-off projects, new clients without a payment history, and B2C work (photographers, contractors, personal services). Net 60+ should only be offered to enterprise clients with great credit because cash-flow risk gets significant — for solo operators, three months unpaid is a small-business-killing event.

Day 1 past due: short friendly email referencing the invoice number. Day 7: phone call — most non-payment is a misplaced email, not refusal. Day 14: formal email citing the invoice, due date, and your late-fee policy if you have one. Day 30: certified-mail demand letter establishing a paper trail. Day 60: small-claims court (under your state's limit, typically $5K-$15K, no lawyer needed) or a collections agency for larger amounts. The pattern that protects cash flow is escalating early — most invoices that go past 60 days are never paid voluntarily, and your leverage drops sharply once a client knows you'll tolerate slippage.