Difference between sales receipt and invoice

Difference between sales receipt and invoice

There:

• Invoices

• And sales receipt (simplified tax invoice, till receipt, Point-of-sale receipt, Cash receipt, Sales slip, ...)

  The essential difference between the two is:

  • On the receipt or simplified tax invoice only the issuer's tax information appears.

  • On the Invoice appears the fiscal information of the issuer and the recipient.

  There are also gift receipts which is a new type of document usually offered by the merchants, which does not detail the price of the items. This is usually used when a gift is given to someone and he do not want to see the price of it.

  
  
  

  Using Gespet, you can quickly generate receipts, invoices and gift receipts

  In addition, you can send them by email to the customer directly.

  
  

  Simply click on Send receipt or invoice by email and the customer will receive it in his mailbox.

  
  

  In the Hotel, Grooming, Daycare, Training, Breeding, and Veterinary Gespet solutions:

  • You can issue invoices, since services are always linked to a customer and their pet.

  
  

  For the PetShop Gespet solution:

  • You can issue invoices if the sale is linked to a customer.

  • You can issue “gift receipts” (which are just like regular receipts, but without showing the price).

  • You can issue receipts or simplified invoices if the sale is not linked to any customer.

  • You can set up a separate numbering system for simplified invoices or receipts.

  
  
  

  More info

  🇪🇺 General EU Regulation

  According to Directive 2006/112/EC, all Member States allow simplified invoices up to a certain limit (which varies by country):

  Country	Limit (€)	Country	Limit (€)
  Austria	400	Sweden	380
  Belgium	100	Finland	400
  Bulgaria	100	Spain	400
  Croatia	92	Slovenia	100
  Cyprus	85	Romania	400
  Czech Republic	370	Portugal	100
  Denmark	400	Slovakia	100
  Estonia	160	Poland	100
  France	100	Luxembourg	100
  Germany	250	Netherlands	100
  Hungary	100	Malta	100
  Ireland	100	Lithuania	100
  Italy	400	Latvia	150

  🐶 Specific Regulations for Pet Services

  
  

  In general terms:

  • In all countries, if the service is specialized (such as veterinary care, training, pet hotel/daycare, puppy sales, or grooming), it does not fall under the category of retail sales.

  • Therefore, even if the amount is below the threshold for a simplified invoice, a full invoice must be issued, including all the customer’s details.

  • The only case where a simplified invoice could be used would be in the sale of products (in a physical store), as long as the amount is within the country’s allowed limit.

  
  

  Want to dive deeper?

  You can get more details by consulting Directive 2006/112/EC on invoicing. Key articles include:

  • Article 220a: allows Member States to permit simplified invoices for low-value amounts

  • Articles 220–227: outline the requirements and exceptions for simplified invoicing

  
  

  GESPET TIPS & ADVICE

  This information may not be fully up to date or might have changed according to current regulations. If you’re unsure whether this applies to you or you have questions, we strongly recommend speaking with your tax advisor or directly contacting your country’s tax authority.

  
  
  

  🇪🇸 Regulations in Spain

  In the case of pet businesses, the Spanish Tax Agency allows simplified invoices to be issued:

  
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  In a pet business selling products in a physical store (retail, not online sales)

  ✅ Yes. If the amount does not exceed the allowed limits

  
  

  Simplified invoices are not allowed for the following:

  
  

  Dog or cat grooming	❌ No
  Veterinary services	❌ No
  Puppy sales	❌ No. This is considered a traceable sale with mandatory control
  Pet hotel	❌ No
  Pet daycare	❌ No
  Training services	❌ No
  Pet transport	❌ No

  
  

  Want to know more?

  You can find more information in Articles 4 and 7 of Royal Decree 1619/2012, of November 30, which governs invoicing obligations.
  Only the activities listed in Article 4.2 are allowed to issue simplified invoices up to €3,000.
  Please note: the “hairdressing” mentioned in the law refers exclusively to human hairdressing, not pet grooming.

  
  
  

  🇺🇸 United States

  Since there is no legal concept of a “simplified invoice,” businesses are allowed to issue either an invoice or a basic receipt with essential information.

  Regulations vary by state (tax types, thresholds), and there are no specific restrictions for pet services:

  • Retail sales (store): you can issue a simple receipt without additional details.

  • Services (grooming, veterinary, etc.): a full invoice is usually issued, but there is no legal obstacle to using a simplified format depending on the amount. That legal category simply doesn’t exist.

  
  

  🇨🇦 Canada

  A tax invoice must be issued if you are registered for GST/HST.

  There are more flexible requirements based on the total amount:

  • Less than CAD 100: simple receipts are acceptable.

  • CAD 100 – 499.99: must include business registration, applied taxes, etc.

  • ≥ CAD 500: invoice must include buyer's name and a detailed description.

  
  

  In the pet sector:

  • Product sales (store): if registered and over CAD 100, a tax invoice is required; if not, a basic receipt will do.

  • Services (grooming, veterinary, etc.): requirements vary based on thresholds, but there are no specific restrictions for pet services. However, documentation is expected if thresholds are exceeded.

  
  

  🌎 Latin America

  In most Latin American countries, electronic invoicing is mandatory. There is no separation between simplified and full invoices: the official electronic format (Factura Electrónica) is always used.

  • Brazil (via Nota Fiscal): small businesses under Simples Nacional (a special and simplified tax regime for small and micro enterprises) must issue electronic invoices for both products and services, regardless of industry.

  • Mexico (CFDI): only electronic invoices are accepted, there is no simplified version; every item must be reported with full detail.

  • Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela: electronic invoicing is mandatory in all cases; there are no reduced or simplified formats for pet services, whether for sales or services.

  
  

  In a nutshell:

  • Product sales: must be documented with a full electronic invoice in accordance with the country’s tax regulations.

  • Pet services — even for small amounts (veterinary, grooming, daycare & hotel, training, transport, puppy sales): require a full electronic invoice with all fiscal details.

  
  

  GESPET TIPS & ADVICE

  These are general tips, but remember — laws differ from country to country. If you have questions about invoicing, applicable taxes, exceptions, and so on, we strongly recommend reaching out to a qualified tax advisor or your local tax authority to ensure you’re invoicing properly and in compliance.

  
  
  

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