Quick answer
Yes. In most countries you don’t need a registered company to send an invoice. As a freelancer or sole trader you can invoice under your own name. You still need to declare the income on your tax return, and you may need to register for VAT, GST or sales tax once your sales pass your country’s threshold.
What to put on the invoice
- Your name instead of a business name, or a trading name if you use one, such as “Jane Smith Design”.
- Your contact details: email, phone and an address where required.
- No tax number unless you are registered. Don’t charge VAT or GST if you aren’t registered for it.
- Everything else as normal: invoice number, date, client, items, total, due date and how to pay.
Need one now? Open the freelance invoice. It’s free and makes a PDF in a minute.
Tax and registration
Income from invoices is usually taxable, so keep a copy of every invoice you send. Depending on where you live, you may need to:
- register as self-employed or sole trader with the tax authority
- register for VAT, GST or sales tax once your sales go over a threshold
- get a tax ID number your clients can use. In the US, many freelancers get a free EIN rather than sharing their Social Security number.
Rules differ by country, so check with your tax authority or an adviser. Our freelance invoice template is a good place to start.
Create your invoice in under a minute, free. Fill in the form, watch the preview and download a PDF. No sign-up, and your data stays on your device.
Freelance invoiceFrequently asked questions
Can I invoice under my own name?
Yes. Sole traders and freelancers commonly invoice under their personal name.
Do I need a business bank account?
Not always, but a separate account makes it much easier to track business income and expenses. Some countries and banks require one for registered businesses.
Can I charge tax if I’m not registered?
No. Only charge VAT, GST or sales tax if you are registered to collect it.
Related tools & articles
More from the blog
- How to invoice international clientsHow to invoice clients in another country: which currency to use, tax on exported services, payment options, and what to include on the invoice.
- How to send an invoice by emailHow to email an invoice so it gets paid: subject line, what to write, attaching the PDF, and copy-paste email templates for new and repeat clients.
- Invoice template for Word or Excel: is there a better way?Making invoices in Word or Excel works, but it is slow and error-prone. How to do it, the common mistakes, and a free online alternative that makes a PDF.
- What is a credit note?A credit note cancels or reduces an invoice you have already sent. Learn when to use one, what it includes, and how it differs from a refund.