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Credit Note Template

Reduces or cancels an invoice already issued: returns, discounts after the fact, or an overcharge, with the original invoice named. Start from the full example below: change anything, and download it as a PDF, a Word file or an Excel sheet that look exactly like the preview. Free, with no signup and no watermark.

  • Never stored
  • No queue, no waiting
  • No signup, no watermark
Look
Classic
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Tax lines
VAT 15%
Tax numbers
Tax ID · Tax ID
Extra columns
Unit
Paper
A4 (switch to US Letter in Design)
Download
PDF, Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx)

How to write a Credit Note

  • Always name the original invoice number and date; a credit note without one cannot be matched.
  • State the reason in one line: returned goods, pricing error, goodwill.
  • Show the tax being reversed on its own line, at the same rate as the original invoice.

Credit Note example

The whole example as text, so you can see what goes where. Every business and person in it is made up.

Northline Office Supplies Ltd

12 Harbour Road

Southampton SO14 2AQ

United Kingdom

sales@northline.co.uk · +44 23 8000 1122 · northline.co.uk

Tax ID: GB 123 4567 89

Credit Note

Credit note no.
CN-2026-0021
Date
Oct 6, 2026
Original invoice no.
TI-2026-0317
Reason
Two toner cartridges returned unopened

Bill to

Bridgewater Architects LLP

5 Castle Way

Winchester SO23 8UJ

ap@bridgewater-arch.co.uk

Tax ID: GB 987 6543 21

DescriptionQtyUnitRateAmount
Toner cartridge, black — returnedCredit against invoice TI-2026-03172pcs$68.00$136.00
Subtotal
$136.00
VAT (20%)
$27.20
Total
$163.20

Notes

The credit has been applied to your account and will be offset against your next invoice.

Thank you for your business.

Other invoice types

All 66 invoice types

How it works

1

Open the example

Press “Use this template” and the Credit Note example opens in the editor, with the preview beside it.

2

Make it yours

Type over your business and your customer, add or remove lines, set the tax; the totals and the preview update as you type.

3

Download it

PDF for sending, Word for editing, Excel for your books. All three carry the same lines and totals.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Credit Note template free?

Yes. Editing, every look and the PDF, Word and Excel downloads are free, with no signup, no watermark and no payment step at the end.

Do I have to use the example?

No. “Use this template” opens the example ready to edit; “Start empty” keeps the Credit Note fields and tax lines with nothing filled in.

Can I switch to another type or look later?

Yes. Your business, your customer and your lines stay as they are when you switch to any of the other 65 invoice types, and the look, colour, font and paper size can be changed at any time.

Where is my invoice kept?

On this computer only, so it is still here when you come back, and your business details are filled in for the next invoice. Nothing is stored anywhere else. “Save a copy” makes a file you can open on another computer.

Good to know: The total in words is written in English. Arabic and Urdu text reads right to left, but the page layout is not mirrored. The Word download keeps the design, but lines can break a little differently than in the PDF. Your invoice and your business details are kept on this computer until you remove them.

Put this tool on your website

Free for any blog, class page or help article. Paste one snippet and your visitors can use it right on your page.