Receipt Caker
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Billing models

Interim Invoice Template

Bill progress partway through a project, charging for the work completed so far ahead of the final invoice.

How do I make an interim invoice?
In Receipt Caker, add lines for the work completed in this period and enter the amounts. The generator totals them and applies any tax, giving the progress amount due before the project ends.
What is an interim invoice?
An interim invoice bills part of a project before it is finished, charging for progress made so far. It keeps cash flowing during long jobs, with a final invoice settling the balance once all the work is complete.

What to include on a interim invoice

Your name or business and contact details
Client name and billing address
Invoice number and issue date
The project name and the period this covers
Lines for the work completed so far
A note of progress against the total value
Tax if it applies, plus this invoice's total

What you can do

  • List the work completed in this billing period
  • Note progress against the overall project value
  • Automatic totalling with an optional tax percentage
  • Live preview to confirm the period reads clearly
  • Free watermarked PNG export with no signup
  • Pro removes the watermark, adds PDF export and logo upload

What an interim invoice is

An interim invoice bills for progress partway through a project, before the work is finished. It charges for what has been completed in a given period, so you are not waiting until the very end to be paid.

It is common on longer engagements such as construction, phased builds and extended services, where months of work would otherwise pass with no income until completion.

When to use an interim invoice

Use interim invoices on projects that run long enough that billing only at the end would strain your cash flow. Regular progress billing keeps money coming in as the work advances.

They are often issued on a schedule, such as monthly, based on the work done since the last invoice. This distinguishes them from milestone invoices, which are tied to specific deliverables rather than the calendar.

What to include on the invoice

State the project and the period this invoice covers, and list the work completed so far in that window. Being specific about the progress helps the client approve it against what they can see.

A note of the total project value and how much has now been billed gives useful context. Add your invoice number, issue date, terms and any tax, and let the generator total the progress amount.

Building it in Receipt Caker

Add lines for the completed work in this period, entering amounts or hours and rate as appropriate. The generator totals them and applies tax if you set a percentage.

Preview, then export a free watermarked PNG or upgrade to Pro for a clean PDF with your logo. Raise a new interim invoice each period, and a final invoice at the end. Receipt Caker generates each document but does not track running balances for you.

Frequently asked questions

How is an interim invoice different from a milestone invoice?
An interim invoice bills progress over a period, often on a regular schedule such as monthly, regardless of a specific deliverable. A milestone invoice bills when a defined stage is completed. Interim billing is time-driven; milestone billing is event-driven. Some projects use interim invoices throughout and a final invoice to close, while others tie every payment to milestones.
How do I show progress on an interim invoice?
List the work completed since the last invoice on clear lines, and add a note showing the total project value alongside how much has now been billed. This lets the client see this period's charge in context. Keep the amount due limited to the current period, and use the note purely to show overall progress.
Do interim invoices need a final invoice too?
Usually, yes. Interim invoices bill progress as the project runs, and a final invoice closes it out, accounting for everything already billed and any remaining balance. Issuing a clear final invoice at the end ties the whole engagement together. Receipt Caker can produce every interim document and the final one, though it does not link them automatically.
How often should I send interim invoices?
That depends on your agreement and the project length. Monthly is common on jobs that run for several months, but you can choose a rhythm that matches how the work and your cash-flow needs progress. Agree the frequency with the client at the start so each interim invoice arrives when expected rather than as a surprise.
Can I include retention on an interim invoice?
In some trades a portion of each payment is retained until completion. If your agreement includes retention, show it as a subtracted line so the client sees the gross amount and the withheld portion clearly. Receipt Caker totals whatever lines you enter, so you can reflect retention manually, but it does not calculate or track it for you.
How do I number a series of interim invoices?
Increment the invoice number for each interim invoice, keeping them sequential across the project, and reference the project name and period on each so they are easy to relate. A simple running list of the numbers you have issued keeps records tidy. Receipt Caker does not remember prior invoices, so you control the numbering yourself.

Related invoice templates

Final InvoiceMilestone InvoiceDeposit InvoiceContractor InvoiceNet 30 Terms