14.4 Specific Invoice Features

Close Master invoices (especially when using Stripe) often support advanced features:

  • Tips: Allow clients to optionally add a tip during online payment.
    • Enable Globally: Go to Payments → Settings → Invoice Settings (or similar) → Enable Tips and set suggested percentage options (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%) or allow custom amounts.
    • Manage Per Invoice: You can often override the global setting or disable tips for a specific invoice via its ... (More Actions) menu → Manage Tips.
    • Client Experience: If enabled, the online invoice payment page will present the tip options before final payment.
  • Payment Plans (Installments): Break down a one-time invoice into fixed installments.
    • Add Schedule: Open the specific One-Time Invoice → ... (More Actions) → Add Payment Schedule.
    • Define Installments: Specify the amount and due date for each payment installment. The total must match the invoice total.
    • Invoice Display: The invoice will clearly show the payment schedule.
    • Auto-Pay Option: If the client pays the first installment online and saves their payment method (Stripe), subsequent installments might be charged automatically on their due dates if enabled.
  • Partial Payments: Allow clients to pay less than the full invoice amount online (but above a minimum threshold).
    • Enable Globally: Go to Payments → Settings → Invoice Settings → Enable Allow Partial Payments and optionally set a minimum payment percentage.
    • Client Experience: The online payment page allows the client to edit the amount they wish to pay (as long as it meets the minimum).
    • Status Update: The invoice status changes to Partially Paid until the full balance is received.
  • Setup Fees on Recurring Payments: Collect a one-time setup fee along with the first recurring payment.
    • Configure: Add the Setup Fee amount when creating the Recurring priced Product in Payments → Products.
    • Billing: When this product is used in a Recurring Invoice Template, the *first* generated invoice will include both the setup fee and the first recurring payment amount. Subsequent invoices will only include the standard recurring payment amount.
  • ACH Debit (US Bank Transfer - Requires Stripe Usually): Allow clients to pay invoices directly from their US bank account.
    • Enable: Needs to be enabled within your connected Stripe account settings first.
    • Invoice Option: The option to pay via Bank Transfer (ACH) will appear on the online invoice payment page alongside card payment options. Lower transaction fees usually apply for ACH, but payments take longer to clear.
  • Record Manual Payment: As mentioned in 14.3, use this option (... > Record Payment on the invoice) for payments received outside the online system (Cash, Check, Wire). Updates the invoice status accordingly.