Receipt Caker

Billing models

Deposit Invoice Template

Request an upfront portion of the total before work begins, with the deposit amount clearly stated.

How do I make a deposit invoice?
In Receipt Caker, add a line describing the deposit, such as 40 percent upfront, and enter the amount. The generator totals it and applies any tax, giving the deposit due before work starts.
How much should a deposit be?
A deposit is usually a percentage of the total agreed with the client, often between a quarter and half. Pick a figure that covers your early costs and commitment, and state it plainly so both sides know what remains.

What to include on a deposit invoice

Your name or business and contact details
Client name and billing address
Invoice number and issue date
A line describing the deposit and the percentage
The deposit amount due before work begins
A note of the total value and remaining balance
Tax if it applies, plus payment terms

What you can do

  • Add a deposit line with the amount or percentage
  • Note the full value and balance for context
  • Automatic totalling with an optional tax percentage
  • Live preview to confirm the deposit reads clearly
  • Free watermarked PNG export with no signup
  • Pro removes the watermark, adds PDF export and logo upload

What a deposit invoice is

A deposit invoice requests part of the total price upfront, before work begins. It secures the booking and covers your early outlay, with the balance billed later once the work is done or reaches an agreed point.

It is common in project work, custom orders and services with material or scheduling costs, where you need commitment from the client before you start spending time or money.

When to take a deposit

Take a deposit when a job carries upfront costs, when you are reserving time in your schedule, or when you want a client to commit before you begin. It reduces the risk of doing work that never gets paid.

Agree the percentage and total in advance so the deposit invoice simply confirms a figure both sides expected. This keeps the request straightforward rather than a surprise.

What to include on the invoice

Describe the deposit clearly, ideally naming the percentage and the total it comes from, for example a deposit representing forty percent of the agreed price. This makes the remaining balance obvious.

Add the invoice number, issue date, payment terms and any tax. A short note of the full value and the balance still to come helps the client plan for the final invoice.

Building it in Receipt Caker

Add a deposit line with the amount, and optionally a note line showing the total and remaining balance. The generator totals the deposit and applies your tax rate if you set one.

Preview, then export a free watermarked PNG or upgrade to Pro for a clean PDF with your logo. When the work is done, build a separate final invoice showing the balance minus this deposit. Receipt Caker produces each document but does not track which have been paid.

Frequently asked questions

How do I show the deposit on the final invoice?
On the final invoice, list the full agreed amount, then add a separate line for the deposit already invoiced as a negative or subtracted figure, leaving the outstanding balance as the total due. This makes the maths transparent. Receipt Caker totals the lines, but you enter the deposit figure yourself since it does not track prior payments.
Should a deposit invoice include tax?
It can, depending on the rules that apply to you. If your work is taxable, set the tax percentage so it applies to the deposit amount, and account for the remaining tax on the final invoice. If unsure how tax should be split across a deposit and balance, check the guidance for your situation before issuing.
What percentage deposit is normal?
There is no fixed rule; it depends on your trade and risk. Deposits often sit between a quarter and half of the total. Higher deposits suit jobs with large upfront costs, while lower ones suit quick turnarounds. Whatever you choose, agree it with the client first and state the percentage clearly on the invoice.
Is a deposit invoice the same as a proforma?
Not quite. A proforma is a preliminary document that proposes what will be charged, often before a sale is confirmed. A deposit invoice is a genuine request for an upfront portion of an agreed price. You might send a proforma first, then issue a deposit invoice once the client commits to proceed.
Can I make the deposit non-refundable?
Whether a deposit is refundable is a matter for your terms and the agreement with your client, not the invoice itself. You can add a note on the document reflecting what you agreed, but set the actual policy in your contract or terms of service. The invoice records the charge; your agreement governs the conditions.
Does Receipt Caker link the deposit to the final invoice?
No. Each document is generated independently. When you raise the final invoice, you manually enter the deposit already billed as a subtracted line to reach the remaining balance. Receipt Caker does the arithmetic on whatever lines you provide, but it does not remember earlier invoices or track paid and unpaid status.

Related invoice templates