What's a Proforma Invoice?

A proforma invoice is a preliminary invoice sent before goods or services are delivered. It tells the buyer what to expect — items, quantities, prices, and total — but it's not a demand for payment and isn't used to claim GST credits.

Once the order is finalised and the goods or services are delivered, you replace the proforma with a standard tax invoice that records the actual sale and any GST collected. Always mark the proforma document "Proforma" or "Not a Tax Invoice" so it isn't mistaken for the final bill. Only the tax invoice — not the proforma — lets your buyer claim a GST input tax credit. InvoiceSonic supports both formats and lets you convert a proforma into a tax invoice in one click once the work is done.