What should a freelance invoice include?

Your name or business name, contact details, the client's name, an invoice number and date, a description of the work with hours or quantities and rates, payment terms, and the total due, including any applicable GST/HST.

Should freelancers charge hourly or per project?

Either works — hourly suits open-ended or variable work, while a flat project rate suits well-defined deliverables. Many freelancers list both hours and a project total on the same invoice for transparency.

Do freelancers in Canada need to charge GST/HST?

Only once registered for GST/HST, which is generally required after $30,000 in worldwide taxable revenue over four consecutive quarters. Below that, GST/HST registration is optional.

What payment terms should I put on a freelance invoice?

Common terms are Due on Receipt, Net 15, or Net 30. Shorter terms improve cash flow; state the term clearly so there's no ambiguity about when payment is expected.

Free Freelancer Invoice Template for Canada

A clean, professional invoice makes you look established and gets you paid faster. Build one in your browser in under two minutes — free, no account needed.

Whether you're a designer, developer, writer, marketer, or consultant, your invoice is often the last thing a client sees before they pay you — and the first thing they'll question if it looks unclear or unprofessional. This template covers what freelance invoices in Canada typically need, and gives you a free tool pre-loaded with freelancer-friendly defaults.

What to include on a freelance invoice

Your name or business name, plus contact details and logo
Client's name and billing details
A unique invoice number and issue date
A clear description of each deliverable, with hours or quantity and rate
Payment terms (Due on Receipt, Net 15, Net 30) and accepted payment methods
GST/HST if you're registered, applied per line item

Hourly vs. flat project rate

Hourly billing works well for open-ended engagements like ongoing support or consulting, where scope can shift. A flat project rate suits clearly defined deliverables — a logo, a website build, a set of articles — and gives the client cost certainty. Many freelancers list both: hours worked per task, rolled up into a project total, so the client sees the breakdown without ambiguity about the bottom line.

Start from the Freelancer / Consultant template — pre-filled line items you can edit in seconds.

Create a Free Freelance Invoice →

Getting paid faster

Short, clear payment terms (Due on Receipt or Net 15 rather than Net 60) tend to get paid faster. Stating your accepted payment methods directly on the invoice — e-transfer, bank details, PayPal — removes a step for the client. Sending the invoice as a PDF immediately after work is delivered, rather than batching invoices monthly, also shortens the time to payment.

Frequently asked questions

What should a freelance invoice include?: Your details, the client's details, an invoice number and date, a description of work with hours/quantities and rates, payment terms, and the total due including any GST/HST.
Should freelancers charge hourly or per project?: Either works — hourly suits open-ended work, a flat rate suits well-defined deliverables. Many freelancers show both on one invoice.
Do freelancers in Canada need to charge GST/HST?: Only once registered, generally required after $30,000 in worldwide taxable revenue over four consecutive quarters.
What payment terms should I use?: Due on Receipt, Net 15, or Net 30 are most common — shorter terms generally improve cash flow.