How the receipt generator works
Last updated 10 November 2026
A receipt confirms that you received a payment. It shows the date, the amount, how it was paid and what it was for.
How it works
- Add what the payment was for as lines. The total is the amount received.
- Choose the payment method and add a reference such as the invoice number.
Worked example
With the starting figures:
- The example receipt is for R 8 750.00.
What a receipt is for
A receipt confirms that you received a payment. It shows the date, the amount, how it was paid and what it was for. Customers need one for their records, and you need a copy for yours.
What to include
- Your business name and contact details
- A receipt number
- The date the payment was received
- What the payment was for, such as an invoice number
- The amount received and the payment method
- The balance still owing, if the customer paid part
Receipt, invoice and tax invoice
An invoice asks for payment. A receipt confirms it. A tax invoice is a particular kind of invoice that VAT-registered businesses must issue, with details set by the tax authority. A receipt is not a tax invoice. If you are registered for VAT, check the rules on what a tax invoice must show.
Good habits
- Issue a receipt only for money you have actually received.
- Keep a copy of every receipt in order.
- Use the same numbering without gaps, so the records are easy to follow.
- Match each receipt to the invoice it settles.
Privacy and PDFs
The receipt is built in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent to a server. To save it, use your browser's print dialog and choose Save as PDF. For the invoice itself see the invoice generator.
Part payments
If a customer pays only part of an invoice, issue a receipt for the amount you received and note the balance still owing. When the rest arrives, issue another receipt. This keeps a clear trail and avoids arguments later about what has been paid.
Things to watch
- Keep a copy for your records.
- Do not issue a receipt for money you have not received.
- Use the browser’s print dialog and choose Save as PDF to make a PDF.
For the original bill, see the invoice generator. Read the full disclaimer.