Understanding invoice statuses

Every invoice has a status that indicates its current stage in the billing and payment process. Understanding these statuses helps you track your invoices easily and manage your payments more efficiently.

1. Generated

  • The invoice has been created but not yet sent to the client.

  • You can review, edit, or delete the invoice at this stage.

  • The invoice is not visible to the client until it’s sent.

Example:
You’ve just finished adding items and taxes to an invoice but haven’t emailed it to the client yet—its status will be Generated.

2. Sent

  • The invoice has been sent to the client by email.

  • The client can now view and pay the invoice.

  • You can still make limited edits (like updating notes or due dates) if no payment has been recorded.

Example:
You’ve emailed the invoice to your client for review—the status updates to Sent.

3. Payment in Transit

  • The payment has been recorded, but the funds are not yet cleared or deposited in your bank account.

  • Once the payment is confirmed, you can update the status to Paid.

Example:
Your client mailed you a check, and you’ve recorded it, but it hasn’t cleared yet—the status will show as Payment in Transit.

4. Paid

  • The invoice has been fully paid by the client.

  • No balance is due.

  • The invoice is automatically marked as "paid" once the full payment is recorded.

  • You can still view or download the paid invoice, but it cannot be edited.

Example:
Your client has made the complete payment, and the invoice now shows as Paid.

5. Written Off

  • The invoice is considered uncollectible and has been written off as a loss.

  • This is typically used when payment cannot be obtained even after multiple reminders.

  • A Written Off invoice cannot be edited or paid, but it remains in your records for accounting purposes.

Example:
A client closed their business and is unable to pay an overdue invoice—you mark it as Written Off to close it.