How do i create an invoice to be payed?

faringdon

Thanks, so is it not even possible to fill in an invoice until i have a "Unique Taxpayer Reference" Number?
And as above, i have to contact the HMRC in order to actually get a "Unique Taxpayer Reference" Number?

I went to the following website, and it doesnt actually tell you where to apply for a  UTR?
https://www.gov.uk/find-utr-number

The following website doesnt make any mention of needing to put a UTR onto an invoice....?
https://www.gov.uk/invoicing-and-taking-payment-from-customers/invoices-what-they-must-include

the UTR number only comes by post and takes 15 days. I have a communal post box and post often goes missing.  Can i just submit the Invoice for payment without putting a UTR on it?

MeteredOut

faringdon said:

Thanks, so is it not even possible to fill in an invoice until i have a "Unique Taxpayer Reference" Number?
And as above, i have to contact the HMRC in order to actually get a "Unique Taxpayer Reference" Number?

You do not need your UTR to create the invoice. Please re-read the earlier posts explaining how easy this is to do.

(the wider issue is that you don't really seem to understand how to trade as a sole trader and the responsibilities that places upon you)

faringdon

Thanks, it sounds like i just need to send the invoice to the customer (without a UTR on it)...but in the meantime, i need to apply for a UTR number so that i can report this consultancy work that i have done to the HMRC?

I didnt realise the invoice was so simple as this link...
https://www.gov.uk/invoicing-and-taking-payment-from-customers/invoices-what-they-must-include

Ive just made out a word document with those headings. I'm going to call that my invoice and send it. Seems OK?

I am surprised the invoice contains no information pertaining to my tax status?...eg my National Insurance number?

GardenBirdWatcher

faringdon said:

I am surprised the invoice contains no information pertaining to my tax status?...eg my National Insurance number?

There's no mention of your tax status because they are irrelevant for a service arrangement like this. They have no involvement or responsibility in your payment of tax/NI for the fee they pay you.

Think of it as similar to you hiring a self-employed plumber to fix a leak for you. You agree a fee for the work to be done, they do the work and send you an invoice which you then pay. You have no involvement in how/whether the plumber pays their income tax/NI, so you have no need for their tax details.

faringdon

Thanks, by that i also infer that there is no need for my UTR to go on the invoice..(?)
The contract has finshed now, so i believe i should nor register as a sole trader as i am not any more, and dont know if i ever will be again.

So as far as i am aware, i have to  apply to HMRC for a Unique taxpayer reference, and tell them how much money i earned.(?) 
By the looks of it  i have to do that by paper post as there is no email addresses on the .gov.uk website?

QrizB

faringdon said:

Thanks, by that i also infer that there is no need for my UTR to go on the invoice..(?)

UTRs nly came into this conversation because you said:

faringdon said:

Then i eventually read the contract, and it said i was contracted for one month.
Must admit i dont know what a "UTR" is, which i will need to put on the invoice.

Does your contract with your client state that you have to include your UTR on your invoices? Or did you get this idea from somewhere else?

caprikid1

You will just need to do a tax return online before Jan 2027 but not before Jan 2026 (Earning in Tax Year 2025 -2026).

faringdon

Thanks, and i'll need to apply for the UTR before i do the Tax Return?. I take it the Tax Return is just like a .gov.uk website that you go to, and fill it in.?...pretty much with probably the same details that i just put on the invoice?
Seems strange that you have to wait until Jan 27th to submit tax return when you  did the work in Oct 2025?

mybestattempt

faringdon said:

Thanks, and i'll need to apply for the UTR before i do the Tax Return?. I take it the Tax Return is just like a .gov.uk website that you go to, and fill it in.?...pretty much with probably the same details that i just put on the invoice?
Seems strange that you have to wait until Jan 27th to submit tax return when you  did the work in Oct 2025?

You may find these articles help you have a better understanding of self assessment and self employment:


https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-nic/how-tax-collected


https://www.litrg.org.uk/working/self-employment



https://www.gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/registering

faringdon

Thanks,  and i am sure all would agree that i should do nothing until i have actually been payed?...and that wont be till the end of the month.