Credit notes and refunds

An issued invoice can never be deleted — it's an accounting and legal requirement in most jurisdictions (France, EU, UK, Canada). To cancel or correct an invoice, you issue a credit note, which is a negative invoice linked to the original. Nexte automates the whole process so you stay compliant effortlessly.

When to issue a credit note?

• Invoice error: wrong amount, wrong VAT, wrong client, wrong date. The credit note cancels the invoice, you create a new correct one.
• Partial or full refund: client paid then requests a refund (dissatisfaction, undelivered service, goodwill). The credit note documents the cash-out.
• Engagement cancellation: invoice sent but the engagement doesn't happen. The credit note clears the receivable.
• Goodwill discount: after-the-fact rebate for a particular reason (late delivery, your mistake). The credit note records the rebate.
• Unused deposit: an invoiced deposit that must be refunded because the engagement doesn't start.

Issue a credit note

1. Open the relevant invoice in Billing → Invoices tab.
2. Click the actions menu (3 dots) → Issue credit note.
3. Choose the type: full credit note (complete cancellation) or partial credit note (partial refund — you enter the lines or amounts to credit).
4. Enter the reason (free text, traceable). Required for accounting audit and shown on the PDF.
5. Check the issue date (today by default — never set a date earlier than the original invoice).
6. Confirm. The credit note gets its own sequential number (prefixed `CN-` by default, configurable), is bidirectionally linked to the original invoice, and the client receives the PDF by email if Stripe is connected (option to enable).

Accounting effect

• Revenue: the credit note reduces revenue in the month it's issued (not in the original invoice month, unless you intentionally backdate — not recommended).
• VAT collected: the VAT shown on the credit note is deducted from VAT collected in the issuance month. To declare on your next VAT return.
• Payment: if the original invoice was already paid, you must proceed with the actual bank refund (Stripe does it in 1 click from the credit note view). Otherwise, just clearing the receivable is enough.
• Accounting exports: the credit note appears in all exports (CSV, FEC, Sage, Xero, Pennylane) with the correct sign and code, ready for your accountant.

Special case: Stripe refund

If the original invoice was paid by card via Stripe, you can trigger the bank refund directly from Nexte. Open the credit note, click « Refund via Stripe », select the amount (full or partial) and confirm. The client is credited on their card within 5 to 10 business days. Nexte automatically syncs the Stripe status with the credit note.