If a customer makes a deposit for our company's services, is it necessary to issue an invoice?
According to the provisions of Clause 2, Article 9 of Decree 123/2020/ND-CP (as amended and supplemented by Point a, Clause 6, Article 1 of Decree 70/2025/ND-CP), the time for issuing an invoice is guided as follows:
- The time for issuing an invoice for the sale of goods (including the sale or transfer of public assets and the sale of national reserve goods) is the time when the ownership or right to use the goods is transferred to the buyer, regardless of whether payment has been received or not. For exported goods (including processing for export), the time for issuing an e-commerce invoice, electronic value-added tax invoice, or electronic sales invoice is determined by the seller but no later than the next working day after the goods are cleared in accordance with customs laws.
- The time for issuing an invoice for the provision of services is the time when the service provision is completed (including services provided to foreign organizations and individuals), regardless of whether payment has been received or not. In cases where the service provider collects payment in advance or during the provision of the service, the time for issuing the invoice is the time of collection (excluding cases of collecting deposits or advances to secure the performance of contracts for the provision of the following services: accounting, auditing, financial consulting, tax consulting; valuation; surveying, technical design; supervision consulting; investment project formulation for construction). ...
According to the above regulations, advance payments or deposits are not considered grounds for issuing an invoice.
Therefore, whether it is necessary to issue an invoice immediately upon receiving an advance/deposit depends on whether the type of service your company is providing falls within the list of services exempt from issuing an invoice upon receiving advances.
