Invoice types

Debit Note Generator

A debit note is a document that raises an additional charge against a previous invoice, correcting an undercharge or adding costs so the customer's balance reflects the true amount owed.

How do I create a debit note?: In Receipt Caker, reference the original invoice, list the extra items or amount being charged, show the additional total, and label the document a debit note before exporting. It runs in your browser with no signup.
What is a debit note?: A debit note is issued to add a further charge to a previously invoiced transaction, for example after an undercharge, extra costs or a price correction. It increases the amount owed while keeping the original invoice as part of the record.

What to include on a debit note

Your business and customer details

A clear 'Debit Note' title

The original invoice number and date being adjusted

Line items or reason for the additional charge with amounts

The additional subtotal, any tax and total debit

A unique debit note number and issue date

A short note explaining the reason for the charge

What you can do

Reference the original invoice on the debit note
Itemise the additional amounts being charged
Automatic totals for the extra value and tax
Live preview so the added charge reads clearly
Free watermarked PNG export from the browser
Pro unlocks watermark-free PDF plus your logo

What a debit note is

A debit note is a document that raises an additional amount against a transaction that was already invoiced. Instead of reissuing the whole invoice, it records the extra charge separately, so the original bill stays intact and the adjustment is clearly documented.

It typically comes into play when the first invoice fell short of the true amount, whether because of an undercharge, additional costs, or a corrected price. The original invoice plus the debit note together show what was billed and what was added.

When to issue one

Issue a debit note when you need to charge a customer more than the original invoice showed, such as after discovering an undercharge, adding delivery or handling costs, or correcting a price that was set too low. It is the clean way to increase a balance without editing the earlier bill.

A debit note is the mirror image of a credit note. Where a credit note reduces what a customer owes, a debit note increases it. Buyers also sometimes raise debit notes to their suppliers, for example when returning goods and expecting a matching credit.

What to include

Title the document clearly as a debit note and give it its own unique number. Reference the original invoice number and date so the documents link, and list the extra items or the reason and amount being charged.

Show the additional subtotal, apply any tax, and state the total being debited. A brief note explaining the reason, such as an undercharge or added costs, helps the customer and anyone reviewing the records understand why the balance has increased.

Building one in Receipt Caker

Enter your business and customer details, title the document a debit note, and note the original invoice it relates to. Add lines for the extra items or amount and let the generator total the additional charge, including any tax.

Check the live preview so the added charge is clear, then export a free watermarked PNG or a Pro PDF with your logo. Receipt Caker creates the debit note document only; it does not collect the extra payment, send a reminder, or update any accounting ledger.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a debit note and a credit note?

A debit note increases the amount owed on a transaction, while a credit note reduces it. You issue a debit note when a customer needs to be charged more, such as after an undercharge, and a credit note when they should be charged less, such as after a return. They are opposite corrections that both preserve the original invoice.

When would I issue a debit note instead of a new invoice?

A debit note is the tidy way to add to an existing transaction when the original invoice was already sent and you only need to charge a further amount. It references the original bill and documents the addition separately, keeping the audit trail intact. A brand-new invoice may be better for an entirely separate sale rather than a correction to a past one.

Can a buyer issue a debit note?

Yes. While sellers commonly raise debit notes to charge more, buyers also issue them, for example when returning goods to a supplier and signalling that they expect a credit. In that case the buyer's debit note usually prompts the supplier to issue a matching credit note. Receipt Caker lets either party build the document by setting the details and amounts.

Does a debit note need to reference the original invoice?

Yes. Citing the original invoice number and date links the debit note to the transaction it adjusts, so it is clear which bill the extra charge applies to. Without that reference the addition can be confusing. In Receipt Caker you can add the original invoice reference in the header or a note so the two documents clearly connect.

How is tax handled on a debit note?

A debit note usually applies tax to the additional amount being charged, at the same rate as the underlying supply, so the tax records stay consistent. In Receipt Caker you set the tax rate on the debited lines and it calculates the tax on the extra value. Reflect the added tax in your own bookkeeping when you record the adjustment.

Does Receipt Caker collect the extra amount for me?

No. Receipt Caker is a document generator that produces a debit note in your browser and lets you export it. It does not process payments, chase the additional balance, or update any ledger or accounting system. You issue the debit note as a record of the extra charge and collect any payment through your own arrangements.

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