Question 1

Do I need to be VAT registered to send a self-employed invoice?

Accepted Answer

No. You only need to register for VAT once your taxable turnover crosses the HMRC threshold (£90,000 in the 2024/25 tax year) over a rolling 12-month period. Below that, you send a normal invoice without VAT. Invora supports both — switch VAT on in settings the moment you register.

Question 2

What must a UK self-employed invoice include?

Accepted Answer

A unique sequential invoice number, your name and address, your client's name and address, the invoice date, a clear description of the goods or services, the amount(s) being charged, the total, and payment terms. If you're a sole trader trading under a business name, include your real name too. Invora's template includes every required field by default.

Question 3

What extra fields does a VAT invoice need?

Accepted Answer

On top of the standard fields: your VAT registration number, the time of supply (tax point) if different from the invoice date, the rate of VAT applied to each item, the total amount excluding VAT, the VAT amount per rate, and the gross total. Invora produces fully HMRC-compliant VAT invoices automatically once you add your VAT number.

Question 4

Which VAT rate should I charge?

Accepted Answer

Most self-employed services fall under the 20% standard rate. 5% reduced rate applies to specific goods like home energy. 0% applies to certain zero-rated supplies (children's clothes, most food). Some services are exempt from VAT entirely. Invora lets you set per-line VAT rates so a single invoice can mix standard, reduced, zero-rated and exempt items.

Question 5

I'm on the VAT Flat Rate Scheme — does Invora handle that?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You still charge clients the standard 20% VAT on invoices, then pay HMRC the lower flat-rate percentage on your gross turnover. Invora invoices show the standard rate to your client; export the totals for your VAT return and apply the flat rate in your bookkeeping or via your accountant.

Question 6

Is Invora Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliant?

Accepted Answer

Invora is your invoice layer, not your VAT-return submission tool. Export invoice data as CSV (or PDF batches) and feed it into MTD-bridging software like 123 Sheets, or hand it to your accountant who'll submit through their MTD-recognised software. The numbers — VAT per rate, gross, net — are all there.

Question 7

Do I need a UTR or company number on my invoice?

Accepted Answer

No — HMRC doesn't require either on a sole trader invoice. Some clients (particularly construction under CIS) will ask for your UTR; you can add it as a note in Invora's invoice footer. Limited companies must show their company name, registered office, and company number on every invoice — Invora has fields for all three.

Question 8

How quickly do I need to send an invoice after doing the work?

Accepted Answer

VAT-registered businesses must issue a VAT invoice within 30 days of the tax point (usually the date you completed the work). Unregistered self-employed people have no statutory deadline, but invoicing within 7 days is standard practice and gets you paid faster. Invora's drafts let you bill the moment a job is done.

Question 9

Can I charge interest on late invoices?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Act, you can charge statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate on overdue B2B invoices, plus a fixed late-payment fee. Mention it in your terms. Invora's auto-chase emails reference your due date and can include your late-payment policy in the footer.

Question 10

Can I download a free UK self-employed invoice template?

Accepted Answer

Yes — open the live preview on this page in Invora and you can export it as a branded PDF or send it to your client immediately. Invora's invoicing is free forever, so 'template' and 'invoicing tool' are the same thing — no Word file to wrestle with.

Free self-employed invoice template — VAT-ready, HMRC-compliant.

What your invoice actually looks like.

Download a branded PDF — no Word doc to wrestle with.

Every field a UK self-employed invoice must include.

Your trading name & address

A unique invoice number

Client name & billing address

Invoice date & due date

Itemised work & amounts

Total + payment terms

Self-employed invoicing, VAT, and HMRC.

Send your first VAT-ready invoice in under five minutes.