"Can you send me a receipt?" a client asks after you've delivered a project. You send your invoice. The client says that's not what they need.
Invoice and receipt are two different documents. Here's the difference and when to use each.
An invoice is a request for payment. You send it to a client before they pay, to tell them:
An invoice is the document that says "you owe me this amount."
A receipt is proof of payment. You send it to a client after they pay, to confirm:
A receipt is the document that says "you paid me, and here is the evidence."
| Situation | Document to Use |
|-----------|----------------|
| Requesting payment for work done | Invoice |
| Client has paid and wants proof | Receipt |
| Client needs documentation for their accounts | Receipt |
| You need to follow up on a payment | Invoice |
| Client's company needs it for expense claims | Receipt |
Not always — but for professional clients (especially companies), a receipt is important for their bookkeeping. Their accounts team needs proof of payment to process the expense.
Get into the habit of sending a receipt as soon as a payment comes in. It's also a good customer service touch — it confirms to the client that their payment arrived and there are no issues.
A freelance receipt should contain:
1. The word "RECEIPT" clearly at the top
2. Your name/business name and contact details
3. Client name
4. Receipt number (you can use the same number as the invoice with "R" prefix — e.g., R-INV-042)
5. Date payment was received
6. Amount received
7. What it was for
8. Payment method (bank transfer, Paystack, etc.)
9. Your signature or stamp (optional but professional)
When a client pays an invoice through Soloist, a payment confirmation is automatically sent to both you and the client. This serves as a digital receipt without any extra work on your part.
For clients who need a formal receipt document, you can generate one directly from the paid invoice in Soloist.