Consulting Invoice Template US
A consulting invoice bills a client for advice and expertise, usually as a retainer, a fixed fee for a project or hours at an agreed rate. This template is set up for the US: amounts in USD. Change anything you like, then download it as a PDF.
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How to write a consultant invoice
- Separate the retainer from extra work billed by the hour, so the client sees what was outside the agreement.
- Add a short summary of the work done; it reminds the client of the value they received.
- Bill retainers at the start of the month and hourly work at the end.
- Get the engagement letter signed before you start.
Not sure what to charge? Work out your minimum rate with the freelance rate calculator, and agree the price first with the quote generator.
What an invoice must include in the US
- There is no federal law that sets the contents of a commercial invoice between US businesses.
- Good practice: seller name and contact details, buyer name, invoice number, invoice date, description of goods or services, quantities and prices, total due, payment terms and due date.
- Where a sale is subject to state or local sales tax, show the tax separately as your state requires.
- Some states and industries add their own rules (for example sales tax display rules, or contractor licence numbers on construction invoices).
Invoice rules in the US at a glance
- Tax
- Sales tax (state and local). See sales tax by state
- Tax number
- No federal invoice tax ID requirement. Many businesses show an EIN or a state sales tax permit number, but no federal law requires it on an invoice.
- Not registered for tax
- Sales tax is set by each state, not federally (there is no national sales tax or VAT). A seller that does not hold a sales tax permit in a state, or whose sale is not taxable there, must not add sales tax to the invoice.
- Small invoices
- No federal simplified invoice rule exists because there is no federal invoice law.
- Payment terms
- No statutory default for private B2B invoices; the agreed terms apply (Net 30 is common practice, not law).
- Late payment
- No general statutory late payment interest for business-to-business invoices. Late fees and interest are what the contract or invoice terms say, limited by each state's usury and late charge laws. Courts may award pre-judgment interest at a state rate.
- Keep records
- IRS guidance: generally 3 years after filing the return the records support; 6 years if income was under-reported by more than 25 percent; 7 years for bad debt or worthless securities claims; employment tax records at least 4 years. States may require longer for sales tax.
Consulting Invoice Template US: frequently asked questions
How do I invoice a consulting retainer?
Add one line for the retainer with the month it covers, and separate lines for anything outside it. Many consultants invoice the retainer in advance at the start of each month.
What payment terms do consultants use?
Net 30 is common with larger companies; Net 14 or 15 suits smaller clients. Whatever you choose, put it in your engagement letter and on every invoice.
Do I have to charge Sales tax on my invoices in the US?
Sales tax is set by each state, not federally (there is no national sales tax or VAT). A seller that does not hold a sales tax permit in a state, or whose sale is not taxable there, must not add sales tax to the invoice.
How long must I keep invoices in the US?
IRS guidance: generally 3 years after filing the return the records support; 6 years if income was under-reported by more than 25 percent; 7 years for bad debt or worthless securities claims; employment tax records at least 4 years. States may require longer for sales tax.
Can I charge interest on late payments in the US?
No general statutory late payment interest for business-to-business invoices. Late fees and interest are what the contract or invoice terms say, limited by each state's usury and late charge laws. Courts may award pre-judgment interest at a state rate. Federal Prompt Payment Act interest rate 4.75% per year for 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026 (Bureau of the Fiscal Service notice, Federal Register 9 July 2026). Applies only to federal agency payments. Work it out with the late payment calculator.
Is this invoice template free?
Yes. Edit the template in your browser and download it as a PDF for free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Nothing you type is uploaded.
Sources
The rules on this page were checked in October 2026 and are general information, not legal or tax advice. Check the official sources or ask an accountant in the US if you are unsure what your invoices must show.
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