Free Receipt Maker

Free Receipt Maker — how to use it

What it does

This free receipt maker creates a clean, professional itemized receipt right in your browser. Add your business and customer details, list each item with a quantity and unit price, set a discount, tax rate, and shipping, and the tool auto-computes line totals, subtotal, tax, and the grand total. A live preview updates as you type, and you can print it or download a PDF — with . It is ideal for small sellers, market vendors, freelancers, and anyone who needs proof of payment on the spot.

How to use it

1. Enter your business name (required) and the customer (recommended for expense records).
2. Set a unique receipt number and the date. A sequential number like R-0001 keeps records clean.
3. Add each item — description, quantity, and unit price. Uncheck Tax on any tax-exempt line. Use + Add item for more.
4. Enter your own combined sales-tax rate, an optional discount (percent or amount), and any shipping.
5. Enter the payment method and, if not paid in full, the amount paid — the tool shows the balance due or change.
6. Click Download PDF (or Print). Your draft is auto-saved in your browser so a refresh won't lose it.

How the math works (and why it's accurate)

Getting receipt totals right is harder than it looks. This tool follows the methods accounting software uses:

1. Integer-cents math. Every amount is converted to whole cents before any calculation, so you never get floating-point errors like 19.99 × 3 = 59.970000001. (The classic receipt-tool bug.)
2. Discount before tax. The discount reduces the subtotal first, because tax authorities tax the amount actually paid. Taxing before the discount overcharges tax.
3. Tax only the taxable base. Tax applies only to lines you mark taxable (and to shipping only if you check that box). With mixed taxable/exempt items, the discount is split proportionally so the exempt portion is never taxed.
4. Round the tax once. Tax is computed at full precision, then rounded a single time at the invoice level (round-half-up). This is the standard "round-last" / invoice-basis method, so the printed total always reconciles: Subtotal − Discount + Tax + Shipping = Total.

Accuracy & disclaimer

This tool generates a receipt document — it is not tax advice and does not decide whether a sale is taxable or what your rate is. Sales-tax rates and rules are set by your state/county/city/district and change often, so you must enter your own combined rate. The default is invoice-basis "round the total once," which most invoice software uses; some jurisdictions require per-line rounding, which can differ by a cent or two — apply that manually if your tax authority requires it. Discount-before-tax is assumed (the U.S. standard), but exceptions exist (e.g. some manufacturer coupons) — verify your local rule. All computation is fully client-side; no data, including any logo, ever leaves your browser. A valid expense receipt should show the payee's identity, date, amount, proof of payment, and a description — the tool prompts for these but cannot verify them.

Frequently asked questions

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