Down payment invoice template
For advance and partial payments before the final invoice. The label and the link to the order are already in. Add the amount and the service, then download the PDF.
Invoice
RECH-2026-001
Germany
Germany
Invoice Date
Sep 27, 2026
| Description | Qty | Unit Price | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st down payment (30%) for … as per quote no. … | 1 | €0.00 | 19% | €0.00 |
Terms
Payable within 14 days without deduction.
Notes
Down payment invoice (Anzahlungsrechnung): 1st down payment (30%) on quote no. … dated …. The service is expected in …. This down payment will be deducted in the final invoice.
Details
The PDF contains the e-invoice in ZUGFeRD format. Public-sector clients mostly ask for the XRechnung (XML).
For the XRechnung, add: your email, your phone number, tax number or VAT ID, client email, IBAN.
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What a down payment invoice needs
Every required field: as on any invoice under § 14 UStG, with a sequential invoice number.
The label: “Anzahlungsrechnung” or “Abschlagsrechnung”.
The link to the order: for example “1st of 3 down payments” or “30% down payment on quote AN-2026-014”.
Amount and VAT: the down payment and the VAT it contains, shown separately.
Expected service date: for example “service expected in Q2 2026”, because the service is still to come.
VAT and the final invoice
VAT: is due as soon as the down payment reaches you (§ 13 (1) no. 1a UStG), even if the service is still to come. It goes into the VAT return for that period.
Final invoice: bills the whole service and deducts every down payment with its VAT. Otherwise your client pays the VAT twice.
Kleinunternehmer: show no VAT on down payment invoices either. Turn on the § 19 UStG option.
FAQ
What is the difference between an Anzahlungsrechnung and an Abschlagsrechnung?
Both ask for money before the whole service is billed. A down payment usually comes before the start, a partial payment after a finished part, such as a construction stage. One of the two labels on the invoice is enough.
Does a down payment invoice show VAT?
Yes, unless you are a Kleinunternehmer. VAT is due when the payment arrives and goes into the VAT return for that month or quarter.
How do I write the final invoice?
Bill the whole service and deduct every down payment with its net amount and VAT. What remains is the amount your client still pays.
Can I send the down payment invoice as an e-invoice?
Yes. The PDF from the template contains the e-invoice in ZUGFeRD format. For public-sector clients, download it as an XRechnung. Business clients must be able to receive e-invoices since 2025.