A credit note corrects or cancels an already issued invoice: input error, discount granted later, or waiver of a claim. DoliPlus also handles replacement invoices, detailed below.

DoliPlus credit note: created from the original invoice

 

Cancellation or correction: the regulatory reminder

You can cancel or correct an invoice in case of error, or after a discount granted after its issuance.

However, an invoice is never deleted outright. Indeed, the chronological numbering allows verification that there are no “gaps” in the numerical sequences.

In case of cancellation or correction, the seller or service provider therefore sends their customer:

  • either a new invoice, issued in replacement of the previous one, which refers to the cancelled invoice,
  • or a credit note, particularly in case of a discount granted later, referring to the original invoice (invoice in “negative” for the discount amount).

For taxpayers who have already paid the VAT on the original invoice, the credit note also includes certain details:

  • to recover the VAT corresponding to the discount, it states the net amount of the discount and the corresponding VAT amount; the liable customer then corrects their VAT deduction;
  • to waive this recovery, it specifies that the discount is tax-free; no correction is then necessary.

Note: in case of error or omission regarding VAT, the VAT-registered customer never corrects it themselves. They request a corrective invoice.

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The replacement invoice

A replacement invoice allows you to reissue an invoice containing errors, and on which no action has been taken (no payment recorded). Additionally, only one replacement invoice is possible for a given standard invoice.

When you create a replacement invoice R, you select the invoice F to be replaced. From that point, no further action is possible on F, even if its status does not change as long as R remains a draft.

If you delete the invoice R, the invoice F resumes its original state and lifecycle. Conversely, if you validate R, the invoice F automatically changes to “abandoned” status. The lifecycle then continues on the invoice R.

Creating a credit note in DoliPlus

You create a credit note on an existing standard invoice (referred to as a “debit” invoice). Additionally, multiple credit notes can apply to the same invoice.

When creating the credit note, a table lists the lines to be included. Modify it to reduce the scope of the credit. You can then edit or delete lines, or replace everything with a single line.

 

credit note in DoliPlus: correcting an initial invoice

 

DoliPlus converts the credit note into a discount. This discount is then used to reduce the payment of any other outstanding invoice.

Both credit notes and advance invoices track received payments:

Convert these invoices into “future discount” to record a credit on the customer or supplier’s account. The credit then appears in the “Fixed Discounts” section of the customer or supplier record, under the “Customer” tab.

You can then assign this credit to another invoice to reduce its amount.

DoliPlus credit note: customer or supplier fixed discounts

This amount appears in the new invoice as a payment, reducing the remaining amount to be paid (excl. VAT, incl. VAT, and all-inclusive).

 

Credit note without reference invoice

Creating a credit note without referencing an already issued standard invoice is not the default configuration. This method is discouraged, as the link between the credit note and its original invoice is lost.

To enable it anyway, go to PDF/Interface Settings, then activate the option:

  • PG80: Accept standard invoices with negative amounts and force the “Credit Note” type on validation without referencing another invoice (not recommended)

Then create a standard invoice with a negative amount, validate it, and note the new invoice type (credit note).

Splitting a credit note amount

You can split a credit note into two. To do this, follow the method described in the screenshots below.

 

credit note: splitting the amount, step 1

 

credit note: splitting the amount, step 2

 

credit note: splitting the amount, step 3

Processing the credit note payment

After recording the payment, the “Convert to future discount” button creates a credit balance, stored on the customer or supplier record. You can then apply it to a future invoice.

Moreover, DoliPlus can automate this process if the invoice is fully paid.

DoliPlus credit note: convert to future discount

Learn more

 

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