Recurring invoices for freelancers: retainers and monthly billing

Set up recurring invoicing as a freelancer: monthly retainer, fixed fee, maintenance contract. Pricing models, contract clauses and mistakes to avoid for steady income. What is recurring invoicing? It is invoicing issued at regular intervals (monthly, quarterly or yearly) for an ongoing service: monthly fixed fee, retainer, subscription or instalment payments. It can be automated once the framework is in place. What is the difference between a monthly fixed fee and a retainer? A monthly fixed fee covers a defined scope of services for a set amount. A retainer reserves a block of your hours, invoiced in advance, that the client uses as needed. Do I need a contract for a monthly retainer? It is strongly recommended. It sets the scope, hours, term, notice period and payment terms. Have your template reviewed by a legal professional. What happens if the client does not use all the hours? It depends on the contract. You can state that unused hours lapse, or carry over for a limited time. What matters is putting it in writing from the start. How do I handle VAT on a recurring invoice? A recurring invoice follows the same rules as any invoice. VAT treatment depends on your country and status, so check the mentions required where you are established. Can I automate recurring invoices with IndyCRM? Yes. IndyCRM lets you schedule recurring invoices from the client record and follow their payment status.