How do I take a deposit before starting a job?
Invoice for the deposit amount, then invoice the balance when the work is done. Or send the full invoice and let them pay part of it.
Two ways, and which is right depends on your VAT position.
The simplest is to raise a separate invoice for the deposit, and a second invoice for the balance on completion. Each is a proper document in its own right and the VAT falls in the period it was issued.
Alternatively, issue the full invoice up front. Your client can pay any part of it from the pay link, and the balance stays live on the invoice until it is settled. Reminders keep referring to what is still outstanding rather than the original total.
If you are VAT registered, remember that issuing the full invoice triggers the VAT on the whole amount in that period, even if only the deposit has been paid.
If not, the assistant in the corner can dig further, or a person will pick it up by email — Mon to Fri, 08:00 to 17:00 SAST.