Whenever you issue an invoice, you need to make sure that you include some key pieces of information, such as an invoice number, a due date and details about both you and your customer. But does an invoice need to include a company registration number (CRN)?
This article explores which businesses need to put company registration numbers on their invoices, as well as how to add your company registration number to invoices issued with invoicing software.
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When to put a company registration number on an invoice
It’s not always clear whether invoices need to include a company registration number because it depends on the business issuing the invoice.
CRNs on invoices issued by incorporated businesses
If your business incorporates, you’ll be assigned a company registration number. CRNs are used by Companies House, HMRC, clients and other businesses to identify companies, and they need to be displayed in a number of different places – including on invoices.
If you have a company registration number, you can be fined if you don’t display it correctly, so it’s important to check that every invoice you issue contains your company registration number.
Bear in mind that a VAT number (VRN) isn’t a substitute for a CRN. If you run a VAT-registered company, your invoices need to include both your VRN and your CRN.
CRNs on invoices issued by sole traders and freelancers
CRNs are issued when a business incorporates, so if you’re a sole trader, freelancer or run a business that hasn’t incorporated, you won’t have a company registration number – and you obviously don’t need to put a company registration number on your invoices.
If you don’t have a company registration number, you might have a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), but unlike CRNs, UTRs are highly confidential and should never be shared with clients or displayed on your invoices.
How to add a CRN to an invoice in SumUp Invoices
It’s easy to add your company registration number to invoices issued with invoicing software, like SumUp Invoices. All you need to do is update your business settings.
To add your CRN to SumUp Invoices, go to the 'Business Information' section of your settings. In the ‘Tax & Registration’ section, you’ll see two fields for your company registration number (‘Co. Reg. No.’) and your VAT number (VAT No.). Type or paste your CRN in the ‘Co. Reg. No.’ field – it will save automatically.
Once you’ve added your company registration number to your profile settings, it will automatically appear on every future invoice, quote and credit note.
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FAQs
CRNs are issued when a business incorporates, so if you're a sole trader, freelancer or run a business that hasn't incorporated, you won't have a company registration number – and you obviously don't need to put a company registration number on your invoices.
What information is mandatory on an invoice? ›
To create a compliant invoice, include mandatory invoice information such as seller and buyer details, a unique invoice number, date, itemized goods description, taxes, and payment details.
What is the registration number on an invoice? ›
The Invoice Reference Number (IRN) is a unique number (also known as hash) generated by the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) using a hash generation algorithm, under the e-invoicing system.
What information must appear on an invoice? ›
the business name and address of the customer you're invoicing. a clear description of what you're charging for. the date you provided the goods or services (which is also known as the supply date) the date of the invoice.
What are the rules for invoice numbering? ›
They should be assigned sequentially, meaning that the number of each new invoice increases. Legally, an invoice number sequence should never contain repeats or gaps. It's not recommended to simply number invoices '1', '2', '3', etc. as this can be confusing when invoice numbers reach double or triple figures.
Should I put my EIN on invoices? ›
Some customers, especially corporate clients, may require invoices to include the EIN for their own accounting and tax purposes. By including your EIN on invoices, you facilitate their record-keeping and streamline their internal processes, which may result in positive customer experiences.
Which of the following is not included in the company details on an invoice? ›
An invoice includes the company name, address, and email. However, the invoice number is not a part of the company's details, but rather a part of the invoice's own details.
What does registration number mean in business? ›
A company registration number is a unique identification number assigned to companies by their national registration office. It is commonly used by companies in many operational and legal contexts.
What is the unique identification number of an invoice? ›
What Is an Invoice Number? An invoice number or invoice ID is a unique number generated by a business issuing an invoice to a client. You'll find invoice numbers on digital and paper invoices as a way to track payments.
What is an example of an invoice ID number? ›
“INV” is the prefix or identifier. “20230717” is the date element in the format of YYYYMMDD. “001” is the sequential number assigned to the invoice. “ABC123” is the client or account code associated with this specific invoice.
The payment of an invoice must be accompanied by three documents namely: the purchase requisition, purchase order, and receiving report (in addition to the invoice itself).
What information is included in a commercial invoice? ›
It will include an invoice number, buyer and seller information, a list of the goods/services, the date of issue, and the cost. It may also include payment terms describing the conditions surrounding the sale. A commercial invoice will have more details specific to shipping and customs requirements.
Do you have to put a number on an invoice? ›
Whenever you issue an invoice, you need to make sure that you include some key pieces of information, such as an invoice number, a due date and details about both you and your customer.
Do invoices have to be sequentially numbered? ›
Lots of accounting software provides an invoice number generator to help with this task. Once again, remember that if you're creating VAT invoices for transactions between two VAT-registered businesses, then the invoices must be numbered sequentially.
Can I make my own invoice number? ›
An invoice number can be any string of numbers and letters. You can use different approaches to create an invoice number, such as: numbering your invoices sequentially, for example, INV00001, INV00002. starting with a unique customer code, for example, XER00001.
Do I put my bank details on an invoice? ›
It's up to you to decide whether or not you want to put bank details on your invoices, and it's usually more appropriate to do so if payments are made directly to your bank account. If you expect to be paid with a standing order or one-time bank transfer, you should clearly state this on your invoices.
