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Free Credit Note Template & Generator

Download a blank credit note template (also called a credit invoice or credit memo) in PDF, Word or Excel, or fill one in below and download the PDF.

Updated

Blank credit note template, A4: CREDIT NOTE title, credit note no., date issued, original invoice no., From (seller), Credit to (customer), reason for credit, credit table and TOTAL CREDIT

Download a blank credit note template (PDF, Word, Excel)

.pdf PDF Printable blank credit note form (A4). Print it and fill it in by hand. Download PDF ↓ .docx Word (DOCX) Editable: type into the fields and table, add your logo, save your own version. Download Word ↓ .xlsx Excel (XLSX) Working formulas: line credits, subtotal, tax reversal and total credit. Download Excel ↓

Need a credit note book? Print the blank PDF as often as you need and give each note the next number in your own credit note series. The blank downloads are not metered. More on the files: credit note template page.

Invoice Configuration

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From

To

Invoice Details

Credit Note Details

Items

2 / 25
Description
Unit
Qty
Price
Total

Credit Totals

Notes & Terms

108/2000
104/3000

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Your Company Inc.

123 Creative Lane
Suite 500
New York, NY 10001
+1 (555) 123-4567

CREDIT NOTE

In reference to original invoice #INV-2026-001

Credit To

Valued Customer LLC

456 Business Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Credit Note No.

CN-2026-001


Date Issued

10 Oct 2026

DescriptionQtyUnit PriceCredit
Credit for returned goods: Model X-PRO Laptop1$1,500.00$1,500.00
Correction for overcharge on monthly subscription1$25.00$25.00

Reason / Notes

This credit has been applied to your account balance. Please contact us if you would prefer a direct refund.

Terms

This credit note is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and can be applied to any future invoice.
Subtotal$1,525.00

TOTAL CREDIT

$1,525.00

Authorized Signature & Date

Created free with myinvoicetemplate.com — free invoice generator, no signup

What the credit note editor above includes

  • An Original Invoice Reference line, printed under the title, that ties the credit note to the invoice it corrects
  • Credited lines with automatic totals, a tax row with your own label and rate (% or fixed) and an optional Shipping Credit line
  • Optional tax ID / VAT number fields for both parties, printed under each party when filled
  • A free-text Document Title, so the heading can read CREDIT NOTE, CREDIT INVOICE or CREDIT MEMO

Free to use — no signup, no account. Unmetered for normal use, with an anti-abuse cap of 20 generated PDFs per device per day. Each PDF carries a one-line credit for this site, on by default — one free checkbox in the settings turns it off. Your draft autosaves in your own browser, and when you download, its content is sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection to our server, which renders the PDF.

Tip: Enter positive quantities and prices. The PDF prints them as credited amounts under TOTAL CREDIT, with no minus signs.
Your data: Your draft is stored in your own browser on this device; when you download, its content is sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection to our server, which renders the PDF.
Original invoice reference
Your tax label and rate
Blank PDF, Word & Excel

What Is a Credit Note?

A credit note (also called a credit invoice or credit memo) is a document a seller issues after an invoice has gone out, to reduce what the customer owes on it. It is used for returns, billing errors, price adjustments and cancelled items. It names the original invoice it corrects and says why the credit is given.

Asked for a credit notice or a billing credit? Issue a credit note that quotes the original invoice number and reduces what the customer owes.

Credit note format: every field, in order

This is the blank credit note you can download above, field by field. The numbers on the image match the list.

Blank credit note template with numbered markers on each field
The blank credit note template (A4), page 1.
  1. Title: CREDIT NOTE

    The heading tells the reader at once that this document reduces an amount, not asks for one.

  2. Credit note no., Date issued, Original invoice no.

    Your own credit note number, the date you issue it, and the number of the invoice being corrected.

  3. From (seller)

    Your business name, address and contact details (four lines). Add your VAT or GST number here if you have one.

  4. Reason for credit

    Why the credit is given: returned or damaged goods, a price or quantity error, a cancelled item, a discount agreed later.

  5. Credit to (customer)

    The customer the credit is for, as named on the original invoice (four lines).

  6. Item table: DESCRIPTION, QTY, UNIT PRICE, CREDIT

    One row per credited line. Six blank rows in the PDF, seven in the Word file, ten formula rows in Excel.

  7. Notes

    Two lines for anything else, such as how the credit will be settled.

  8. Subtotal, Tax reversal, TOTAL CREDIT

    The credited amount before tax, the tax being credited back, and the total credit.

  9. Bottom reminder

    “A credit note reduces the amount owed on the referenced invoice. Keep both documents together for your audit trail.”

Other names, same layout. “Credit invoice” and “credit memo” are other names for the same document; see the credit memo template for the US wording. A business-to-business (“commercial”) credit note uses this same layout: the original invoice number, the reason, the credited lines and the tax reversal.

The online editor’s PDF carries the same content in its own layout: your name and address at the top left, the title and your original-invoice line at the top right, then “Credit To”, “Credit Note No.”, “Date Issued”, the columns Description, Qty, Unit Price and Credit, “Reason / Notes”, “Terms”, Subtotal, your tax row, “Shipping Credit” (only when used), “TOTAL CREDIT” and an “Authorized Signature & Date” line. The editor has no separate reason field: write the reason in Notes.

VAT or GST number. The blank files have no separate line for it: write it under the name in the From or Credit to block. The online editor has optional “Your Tax ID / VAT Number” and “Client’s Tax ID / VAT Number” fields; the PDF prints each under its party, labelled from your tax name (for example “VAT Reg. No:” when the tax row is called VAT, “GST Reg. No:” when it is called GST, “GSTIN:” when it is called CGST, SGST or IGST, and “Tax ID:” for a generic name such as Tax). The editor has one tax row.

VAT and GST credit note format by country

Quoted from the official texts, checked on 25 September 2026. Rules change: follow the link for the current text.

Where Document What the official text says
European Union (VAT) Credit note (any document that amends the invoice) “Any document or message that amends and refers specifically and unambiguously to the initial invoice shall be treated as an invoice.” The invoice details the Directive lists in Article 226 start with the date of issue and a sequential number. Source: Council Directive 2006/112/EC, Articles 219 and 226
India (GST) Credit note under section 34 Rule 53(1A) lists what a credit or debit note must contain: the supplier’s name, address and GSTIN; the nature of the document; a consecutive serial number of up to 16 characters; the date of issue; the recipient’s details; “serial number(s) and date(s) of the corresponding tax invoice(s)”; the taxable value, the rate and the tax credited; and the signature or digital signature of the supplier or an authorised representative. Source: CGST Act 2017, section 34; CGST Rules 2017, rule 53(1A)
Australia (GST) Adjustment note The ATO says: “You need a valid adjustment note before you can make a decreasing adjustment, unless the adjustment is for GST of $75 or less.” The 2022 Determination lists its contents: that it is an adjustment note and its effect, the supplier’s identity including ABN, the recipient’s identity or ABN if the related tax invoice was for at least $1,000, the issue date, a brief reason, the GST adjustment amount and the price difference. Source: ATO, Adjustment notes; Adjustment Note Information Requirements Determination 2022, s 4(1)
United Kingdom (VAT) VAT credit note HMRC lists the details a VAT credit note must show in VAT Notice 700, paragraph 18.2.3, including the number and date of the original VAT invoice and the rate and amount of VAT credited. Source: HMRC VAT Notice 700, para 18.2.3 UK VAT credit note template →

Issuing a VAT credit note in the UK?

The UK VAT credit note template follows HMRC’s list in VAT Notice 700, paragraph 18.2.3, with fields for the supplier’s VAT registration number, the original VAT invoice number and date, and the VAT credited.

Credit note sample (filled in)

The blank template above, filled in with fictional names and figures: two lamps returned damaged and the delivery charge credited against invoice INV-0048.

Example

CREDIT NOTE

SAMPLE — fictional names and figures, for illustration only

Credit note no.
CN-0012
Date issued
15 September 2026
Original invoice no.
INV-0048
Reason for credit
2 lamps returned damaged; delivery refunded

From (seller)

Example Supplies Ltd

1 Sample Street

Exampletown

Credit to (customer)

Demo Retail Co.

2 Placeholder Road

Testville

DescriptionQtyUnit priceCredit
Desk lamp (returned, damaged)225.0050.00
Delivery charge refund110.0010.00

Notes

Credit applied against invoice INV-0048.

Subtotal
60.00
TOTAL CREDIT
60.00

A credit note reduces the amount owed on the referenced invoice. Keep both documents together for your audit trail.

Download this sample (PDF)

The sample has no tax line because the fictional invoice charged none. If the original invoice charged tax, credit the tax on the credited lines too; for UK VAT, HMRC says to use “the one which was in force at the time of the tax point of the original supply” (VAT Notice 700, para 18.2.5). A credit note you make in the editor above uses the editor’s own layout, described in the format section.

How to make a credit note online (4 steps)

Use the editor at the top of this page. The field names below are the ones you will see there.

1

Fill in the heading, number and parties

Document Title starts as CREDIT NOTE (free text, up to 100 characters). In Credit Note # enter the next number in your own credit note series, for example CN-2026-001, and set the Date. Fill in From and To; the Tax ID / VAT Number fields are optional and print under each party when filled.

2

Name the original invoice

In Original Invoice Reference type the line that should appear under the title, for example 'In reference to original invoice #INV-2026-001'. It prints exactly as you type it.

3

Enter the credited lines and the tax

Add one line per credited item: Description, Unit, Qty and Price, as positive numbers. The PDF prints Description, Qty, Unit Price and Credit. In Credit Totals the tax row starts as 'Tax' at 0: type your own tax name and the rate the original invoice charged (% or Fixed), or leave it at 0. Shipping Credit is optional and has a +Tax box.

4

Add the reason and download the PDF

Write the reason in Notes (printed as 'Reason / Notes') and any settlement terms in Terms & Conditions (printed as 'Terms'). Press Preview & Download, check the preview, then Confirm & Download PDF.

Credit note, credit invoice or credit memo?

They are the same document under different names. “Credit memo” is common US usage; “credit note” is common in the UK and elsewhere; “credit invoice” is another name you will see. In the editor above, Document Title is free text, so the PDF heading can read CREDIT NOTE, CREDIT INVOICE or CREDIT MEMO. The other printed labels stay the same: “Credit Note No.”, “Credit To” and “TOTAL CREDIT”. For a blank file headed CREDIT MEMO, use the credit memo template; for the meaning, an example and how it works, read the guide to credit memos.

Accounting basics

Correcting an Invoice with a Credit Note

A credit note corrects an invoice that has already gone out without deleting it: the invoice stays in your records and the credit note names it by number, so anyone can follow the correction. In EU VAT law, “any document or message that amends and refers specifically and unambiguously to the initial invoice shall be treated as an invoice” (Directive 2006/112/EC, Art. 219).

Credit Note vs. Refund: What's the Difference?

Feature Credit Note Refund
What it does Reduces what the customer owes on a named invoice Pays money back to the customer
Money movement None by itself Money leaves your bank or cash drawer
Tax Shows the tax being credited, if the invoice charged tax Settles the amount already credited
When When a return, error or agreed reduction is known When the customer has already paid and wants the money back

Name the original invoice

Put the original invoice number on the credit note so the two documents can be matched later. HMRC’s list for UK VAT credit notes includes “the number and date of the original VAT invoice”.

Credit the tax too (VAT/GST)

If the original invoice charged tax, show the tax being credited. For UK VAT, when you issue a credit note you must adjust your records of taxable supplies and your output tax (VAT Notice 700, para 18.2.6).

State the reason

Common reasons include: Damaged Goods, Short Shipment, Pricing Error, or Customer Goodwill. Always state the reason clearly.

When to Issue a Credit Note

A Credit Note should be issued promptly when any of these situations occur:

Goods Returned

Full or partial product returns due to defects, wrong items, or customer change of mind.

Invoice Error

Pricing mistakes, quantity discrepancies, or incorrect tax calculations on the original invoice.

Overpayment

Customer paid more than the invoice amount. Credit Note documents the excess for future use or refund.

Goodwill Adjustment

Promotional credits, loyalty discounts, or customer satisfaction adjustments.

Recording it in your books? See credit memo journal entries for the seller and the buyer.

Credit Note FAQ

Is this credit note generator free?

Yes. It is free and unmetered for normal use; an anti-abuse cap of 20 PDFs per device per day (200 per IP) applies, well above ordinary use, and the blank template downloads on this page are not metered. A one-line "Created free with myinvoicetemplate.com" credit is switched on by default and one free checkbox in the settings turns it off. Your draft is stored in your own browser on this device, so download and keep the PDF you need.

Does a credit note refund the customer?

Not by itself. A credit note reduces what the customer owes on the invoice it names. If the customer has already paid, the credit is either paid back as a separate refund or set against future invoices. HMRC's VAT guidance describes a valid credit note as a claim by the customer 'either to be refunded or offset against the value of future supplies' (VAT Notice 700, para 18.2.3).

Can I credit only part of an invoice?

Yes. Enter only the lines you are crediting, with the quantity and price being credited, for example 2 of the 10 units invoiced. The editor totals what you enter; it does not read the original invoice or work out the balance left on it.

Can the PDF say 'Credit Memo' instead of 'Credit Note'?

Only the heading. Document Title is free text (up to 100 characters), so the top of the PDF can read CREDIT MEMO or CREDIT INVOICE. The other printed labels stay as they are: 'Credit Note No.', 'Credit To' and 'TOTAL CREDIT'.

Credit memo template (US wording) →

Can I download a blank credit note in Word or Excel?

Yes. The blank credit note comes as a PDF, a Word (DOCX) file and an Excel (XLSX) file. In the Excel file each line multiplies quantity by unit price, the subtotal adds the credit column, the tax reversal is the subtotal times the rate you type (the rate cell starts at 0) and TOTAL CREDIT adds the two.

What is the format of a credit note?

Top to bottom: the title CREDIT NOTE; the credit note number, date issued and original invoice number; the seller (From) and the customer (Credit to); the reason for the credit; a table of credited lines (description, quantity, unit price, credit); notes; and the subtotal, tax reversal and total credit. The format section on this page shows each field on the blank form.

Is there a filled credit note sample I can download?

Yes. The sample on this page is the blank template filled in with fictional names and figures: two credited lines, 60.00 in total, against invoice INV-0048. Download it as a PDF from the sample section.

What is the GST credit note format?

In India, CGST Rules rule 53(1A) lists the particulars of a credit note issued under section 34 of the CGST Act, including the supplier's GSTIN, a consecutive serial number of up to 16 characters, the serial numbers and dates of the corresponding tax invoices, the taxable value, the rate and the tax credited, and a signature. In Australia the document is an adjustment note, and its contents are set by the Adjustment Note Information Requirements Determination 2022. The table on this page quotes both.

What must a VAT credit note show?

In the UK, HMRC VAT Notice 700 para 18.2.3 lists the details, including the identifying number and date of issue, the supplier's name, address and VAT registration number, the customer's name and address, the rate and amount of VAT credited, and the number and date of the original VAT invoice. In EU VAT law, a document that amends and refers specifically and unambiguously to the initial invoice is treated as an invoice (Directive 2006/112/EC, Art. 219).

UK VAT credit note template →

What is the difference between a credit note and a debit note?

A credit note reduces what the customer owes on an invoice it names. A debit note does the opposite: it increases what the recipient owes, it also names the original invoice, and either side can raise one.

Debit note template and sample →Debit Note Generator →

Where is my credit note saved?

Your draft is stored in your own browser on this device, so download and keep the PDF you need. When you download, the document's content is sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection to our server, which renders the PDF. There is no account or invoice history, so the site offers no way to recover a lost invoice.

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Legal Disclaimer & Liability Notice

Not Financial Advice: This tool is provided for administrative convenience only. MyInvoiceTemplate.com does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. The generated "Credit Note" document is a template. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that the document complies with local tax laws (e.g., VAT, GST, Sales Tax) in your specific jurisdiction.

Your data: Your draft is stored in your own browser on this device; when you download, its content is sent over an encrypted HTTPS connection to our server, which renders the PDF.