What is the difference between an invoice and a receipt?
By Tim White · Glossary · Last updated
An invoice is a request for payment: it lists what's owed and when it's due. A receipt is proof of payment: it confirms money changed hands. The invoice comes first. The receipt comes after.
Why the difference matters in the books
An invoice creates a bill in accounts payable until you pay it. A receipt records a payment that already happened, usually by card or cash, and goes straight to an expense. Book a receipt as a bill and it sits in AP as if you still owe it. Book an invoice as a receipt and you lose track of what's due.
Documents that do both jobs
A vendor sometimes sends an invoice stamped 'paid', or a card-charged invoice with a zero balance due. Treat it as a receipt for that payment, but keep it, since it often has the tax detail a bare card slip lacks.
Statements and quotes
A statement summarizes everything open on your account. Paying from a statement line by line is a common way to pay an invoice twice, so pay from the invoices themselves. A quote estimates a future cost and creates no obligation.
Common questions
Can I use InvoiceJet for receipts?
It's built for invoices, the documents that ask for payment. Its checks and due-date tracking are designed around bills you still owe, which a receipt isn't.
Is a receipt proof of purchase for taxes?
Usually, yes. It shows the payment happened. An invoice alone only shows an amount was billed. Check what your tax authority accepts.
Sources
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