Estimates and invoices
Send estimates, convert them to invoices, set terms and tax, and understand what an invoice does in your books.
- Plans
- Core and above
- Availability
- Available
- For
- Owners, Bookkeepers
- In KontoCore
Sales → Estimates · Sales → Invoices
In plain English
An estimate is a price you offer — it doesn’t touch your books. An invoice says the customer now owes you, so it records the income and the amount owed.
What this does
Estimates have no accounting effect. Converting an accepted estimate copies its lines into an invoice.
Posting an invoice records revenue and increases accounts receivable (on accrual basis).
How to
Create and send an estimate
- 1Sales → Estimates → New estimate.
- 2Choose the customer, add item lines, and review tax.
- 3Send it by email or download a PDF.
- 4Mark it Accepted when the customer agrees.
Convert to an invoice
- 1Open the accepted estimate and choose Convert to invoice.
- 2Confirm terms, due date, and lines.
- 3Save and send. The invoice is now open in receivables.
What happens in your books
Posting a $1,000 invoice plus $80 sales tax:
| Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| Accounts Receivable (asset) | 1,080.00 | |
| Service Revenue (revenue) | 1,000.00 | |
| Sales Tax Payable (liability) | 80.00 |
Common mistakes
- Editing a paid invoice’s amount instead of issuing a credit memo.
- Deleting instead of voiding — void keeps the audit trail.
Related articles
Customer payments and credit memosReceive payments against invoices, handle partial payments and overpayments, and issue credit memos.CustomersCreate and manage customers, contact details, billing terms, tax status, and balances.Sales taxSet up tax agencies and rates, charge tax on sales, and record returns and payments.ReportsWhat the profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, and aging reports tell you — and how to drill into source records.
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Last reviewed September 25, 2026