Free Freelance Invoice Template
A freelance invoice template built for solo creatives and consultants who bill clients project-by-project or by the hour. Download it free as Word, Excel, PDF, Google Docs, or Google Sheets, drop in your services, and send a polished bill that gets you paid faster. It auto-totals your line items and leaves room for your EIN or SSN so 1099 clients have what they need at tax time.
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Try the live generator →What's on the freelance invoice template
| Description | Qty | Unit price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blog article (1,200 words, SEO-optimized) with one revision round | 1 | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| Brand photography session - half day (4 hours, on location) | 1 | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Website copy editing - hourly | 6 | $75.00 | $450.00 |
| Rush delivery surcharge (48-hour turnaround) | 1 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Licensed stock images and fonts (pass-through cost) | 1 | $45.00 | $45.00 |
| Subtotal | $1,445.00 | ||
| Sales tax (8%) | $115.60 | ||
| Total | $1,560.60 | ||
Example figures — every field is editable in the download.
Who uses this template
- ✓Freelance writers and copywriters billing per article or per word
- ✓Freelance photographers invoicing for shoots, editing, and image licensing
- ✓Graphic and web designers billing per project or milestone
- ✓Marketing and social media consultants on retainer or hourly
- ✓Developers and other 1099 contractors working with multiple clients
What to include
- ✓Your name or business name, address, email, and phone
- ✓Your EIN or SSN so 1099 clients can issue a 1099-NEC
- ✓Client name, company, and billing address
- ✓Invoice number and issue date
- ✓Itemized services with quantity, rate, and line totals
- ✓Payment terms (Net 15 or Net 30) and accepted methods (ACH, Zelle, PayPal, check)
- ✓Subtotal, any applicable sales tax, and total due in USD
Available in 5 formats
Word (.docx)
Fully editable in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages and LibreOffice — best for quick text edits.
Excel (.xlsx)
Line totals, subtotal and tax calculate automatically — best if you want the math done for you.
A clean, print-ready, fixed layout — best for emailing a finished invoice to a client.
Google Docs / Sheets
Open in your browser, then File → Make a copy to edit and share with your team.
Invoicing tips for freelance
- ✓ List your EIN instead of your SSN on invoices to keep your Social Security number private while still satisfying 1099 reporting.
- ✓ Set aside roughly 25-30% of each payment for federal self-employment and income tax, plus quarterly estimated payments.
- ✓ Charge a deposit (often 25-50%) on larger projects so you're not fronting all the work uncompensated.
- ✓ Add a late fee clause (e.g., 1.5% per month) and reference it in your terms to encourage on-time payment.
- ✓ Most freelance services aren't subject to sales tax, but check your state - some tax digital products or creative deliverables.
Freelance invoice FAQ
Do I charge sales tax on freelance services?
In most states, professional and creative services like writing, design, and consulting aren't taxable. However, some states tax tangible deliverables, photography prints, or digital goods. Check your state's department of revenue rules, and add a sales tax line only if your work qualifies.
Should I put my EIN or SSN on a freelance invoice?
Use an EIN if you have one. It satisfies the same 1099 reporting requirement as your SSN but keeps your personal Social Security number off documents you email to clients. You can get an EIN free from the IRS in minutes.
What payment terms should freelancers use?
Net 15 or Net 30 are standard. For new clients or large projects, consider Net 7 plus a deposit. State the due date clearly and offer multiple payment methods like ACH, Zelle, or PayPal to reduce friction.
How do I invoice for both hourly and flat-rate work?
List flat-rate deliverables as single line items with a quantity of 1, and put hourly work on its own line with the number of hours as the quantity and your rate as the unit price. The template totals everything automatically.
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