Five Steps to Writing a Receipt of Payment

Shanan Miller reports:

"Consumers expect a receipt when making a purchase. If you don't have software that creates a receipt when you enter payment and customer data, you can [handwrite] one or create a template on your computer to print receipts. Alternatively, you might want to purchase a receipt booklet that offers two copies of each handwritten receipt...List your business name, address and contact information at the top or bottom of the receipt. Write the date of the purchase. Write 'Customer Information' and document the customer's name and contact information...Write 'Item' and describe the item you're selling. For example, write 'One black shirt, size small.'...Include the original price of the item and...any discounts, the tax rate and tax...Add any additional costs to the price breakdown, such as shipping fees. Below the cost amount, write: 'Total Paid' and write down the total payment you received. Write 'Payment Type' and document the form of payment, such as check (include the check number), credit card or cash...Write any other information relevant to your sale on the receipt, such as the return policy or warranty information...Adding a number to your receipt might help you keep better track of sales."