How to Add Discounts and Shipping to Invoices

Enabling Discounts

Toggle the discount switch in the totals section to add a discount field. Once enabled, you can enter either a percentage or a flat amount. The discount is subtracted from the subtotal before tax is calculated, so your client sees the reduced price clearly.

Percentage vs. Flat Discount

Use a percentage discount when offering a rate-based reduction (for example, 10% off for early payment). Use a flat discount when applying a fixed dollar amount (for example, $50 off a project). Switch between the two modes using the toggle next to the discount field.

Adding Shipping Costs

Enable shipping in the totals section to add a shipping line. Enter the shipping cost as a flat amount. This is added after the subtotal and discount but before tax, unless your jurisdiction taxes shipping separately. The total updates instantly as you adjust the amount.

How Totals Recalculate

The invoice total follows this order: subtotal, minus discount, plus shipping, then tax applied to the result. Every change you make to any field triggers an instant recalculation, so the total is always accurate. Review the totals section on the preview pane to confirm the math before downloading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply a discount to individual line items instead of the whole invoice?
Discounts apply to the subtotal. To discount a single item, adjust that item's rate directly or add a negative line item describing the discount.
How do I show free shipping on the invoice?
Enable shipping and set the amount to $0, or simply leave shipping disabled. If you want to highlight free shipping as a perk, add a note in the notes field: "Shipping: Complimentary."
Does the discount appear as a separate line on the PDF?
Yes. The discount shows as its own line in the totals section with the label and amount clearly displayed, so your client can see exactly how much was deducted.

Still have questions? Head to our invoice generator and try it yourself.

Go to Invoice Generator

More Help Articles

How to Handle Recurring Invoices

Learn how to create and manage recurring invoices for retainer clients, subscriptions, and ongoing services using InvoiceGen.

How to Customize Invoice Labels and Fields

Rename fields, change document types, add reference numbers, and customize notes and terms on your InvoiceGen invoices.

Troubleshooting Common Invoice Issues

Fix common problems with PDF downloads, logo display, calculation errors, and page loading on InvoiceGen.

Invoice Generator

Create professional invoices for free. No sign-up required.

← Back to Invoice Generator