Deferred Invoice: what it is, TD24, TD25 and how to issue it
Included in the base plan: business documents (DDTs included) and deferred-invoice generation are part of FatturaSmart’s base plan, at no extra cost.
A deferred invoice lets you group several deliveries made to the same client within a month into a single invoice, issued by the 15th of the following month. It is the go-to tool for anyone who delivers goods with a DDT several times a month and doesn’t want to issue an invoice for every delivery.
What a deferred invoice is
Unlike an immediate invoice (which must be issued within 12 days of the operation), a deferred invoice relies on a document proving delivery — the DDT (delivery note) for goods, or suitable documentation for services. Thanks to that document you can postpone issuing the invoice and combine several operations.
The key rule involves two distinct dates:
- issue: by the 15th of the month following the one in which the operation took place;
- VAT chargeability: the tax remains attributed to the month of the operation (the delivery), not the month you issue the invoice.
Immediate or deferred invoice?
| Immediate invoice | Deferred invoice | |
|---|---|---|
| When it is issued | Within 12 days of the operation | By the 15th of the following month |
| Required document | None | DDT (goods) or suitable documentation (services) |
| Groups multiple operations? | No | Yes, for the same client within the month |
| Document type | TD01 | TD24 (or TD25 for triangulations) |
TD24 and TD25: which code to use
Both codes indicate a deferred invoice under art. 21, paragraph 4 of Presidential Decree 633/72, but they are not interchangeable:
| Code | When to use it | Issue deadline |
|---|---|---|
| TD24 | Ordinary deferred invoice: supplies of goods with a DDT, or services with suitable documentation | By the 15th of the following month |
| TD25 | Internal triangulations only: supplies made by the buyer to a third party through their own seller | By the end of the following month |
In the vast majority of cases the deferred invoice you issue is a TD24. TD25 is a special case, reserved for internal triangulation operations.
How to issue a deferred invoice in FatturaSmart
In FatturaSmart a deferred invoice starts from your DDTs: you create the delivery notes during the month and then group them into a single invoice.
Step 1: Create the month’s DDTs
During the month, issue a DDT for each delivery to the same client. If you’re not sure how, start from the guide Create quotes, proformas, DDTs and orders.
Step 2: Select the DDTs for the same client
From the documents list, select the DDTs for the same client you want to invoice together. They must be in Sent or Accepted status.
If you select documents from different clients, the action stays disabled: a deferred invoice only groups documents from the same client and in the same currency.
Step 3: Generate deferred invoice
Click Generate deferred invoice. A dialog opens showing the selected DDTs.
Step 4: Set the date and confirm
Set the invoice date: it must be after the last delivery (FatturaSmart reminds you with the notice “Invoice date must be after…”). Confirm with Generate: a single deferred invoice (TD24) grouping the selected DDTs is created, ready to send to SDI.
If instead you want to merge different documents (not just DDTs) into one invoice, use the Generate invoice action with the Group identical items option, described in the guide Transform and convert a document.
Numbering and recording
You can give the deferred invoice a dedicated numbering to keep it separate from immediate invoices: set it up from the guide Configure numbering, which includes entries for the deferred invoice lett. a) (TD24) and lett. b) (TD25).
Remember that, regardless of the issue date, the operation counts towards the VAT settlement of the month it took place (the delivery date shown on the DDT).
Next Steps
- Create quotes, proformas, DDTs and orders – the starting point for deferred invoicing
- Transform and convert a document – generate invoices from multiple documents and group lines
- Configure numbering – a dedicated numbering series for deferred invoices
Need help?
Contact us on WhatsApp by clicking the icon in the bottom right, or write to supporto@fatturasmart.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TD24 and TD25?
TD24 is the ordinary deferred invoice: it groups supplies of goods accompanied by a DDT (or services with suitable documentation) and must be issued by the 15th of the month following the operation. TD25 is used only for internal triangulations, i.e. supplies made by the buyer to a third party through their own seller, and is issued by the end of the following month.
By when must a deferred invoice be issued?
A deferred invoice (TD24) must be issued by the 15th of the month following the one in which the operation took place (the delivery or shipment shown on the DDT). VAT, however, remains attributed to the month the operation took place, not the month of issue.
Do I need a DDT to issue a deferred invoice?
Yes. For supplies of goods you need a delivery note (DDT) or an equivalent document proving delivery. For services, suitable documentation attesting that they were performed is enough. This is what allows you to postpone issuing the invoice.
Can I group several deliveries to the same client into one invoice?
Yes, that is exactly the advantage of the deferred invoice. You can group all the DDTs issued to the same client in a month into a single invoice, instead of issuing one per delivery.
Can flat-rate taxpayers use the deferred invoice?
Yes. Flat-rate (forfettario) taxpayers who supply goods with a DDT can also issue a deferred invoice by the 15th of the following month. The issuing deadlines are the same; only the VAT treatment of the invoice differs (exempt for the flat-rate scheme).
