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I am not VAT registered; do I leave the tax box empty or put 0?

Leave it empty. Then no tax row appears on the invoice at all, and the total is simply the sum of the lines. Type 0 instead and the tool prints a 'Tax (0%)' row showing 0.00, which a client or their accountant may read as a statement about a particular tax treatment, such as a zero rate, and that is not what you mean.

Published · 2 min read

The difference on the page

A 1,200 SAR copywriting job, built twice in the Basic invoice generator:

Worked example

Tax field empty: Subtotal 1,200.00, Total 1,200.00 SAR

Tax field 0: Subtotal 1,200.00, Tax (0%) 0.00, Total 1,200.00 SAR

Same total. But the second invoice has an extra row that raises a question: why zero? Is the service zero-rated? Is the supplier registered? The first invoice raises no such question because it says nothing about tax at all.

Why the tool treats them differently

Because some people genuinely need a 0% row, such as a registered business whose accountant has told them a transaction is zero-rated and wants it shown. An empty field means 'no tax on this invoice'; a zero means 'tax at a rate of zero'. The tool prints exactly what you choose and makes no judgement about which applies to you.

Other things to watch if you are not registered

  • Do not enter a tax number in your details. The tax or registration field is optional; you can put a commercial registration or freelance permit number there if you have one, or leave it blank.
  • Do not call the document a 'tax invoice' in the notes or descriptions. Its heading in the tool is simply 'Invoice'.
  • Do not add a line called tax to make up for something. If you do not charge tax, there is no tax.
  • If a client asks for a tax invoice, tell them plainly that you are not registered and let them decide.

Should I be registered?

Neither the tool nor this article can answer that. Registration depends on your country's rules, their revenue thresholds and your type of business, and these change. Ask the tax authority or an accountant. If you register later, you will start entering the rate that applies to you, and you may then need a certified e-invoicing system if one is required of you, not this basic template.

If you buy from registered suppliers and want to know how much tax you paid on your purchases, you can pull it out of the inclusive prices with the VAT calculator.