Which invoice date should I use for PTRS?

Quick answer

If an invoice contains multiple dates that could represent the invoice date, the Regulator says to use the most recent one.

What does this mean?

The guidance gives the example of an invoice showing an 'invoice date' of 1 January and an 'issue date' of 3 January. The entity may use 3 January as the invoice date for reporting. The worked example similarly describes the invoice issue date as the supplier's issue date and notes that where multiple dates appear, the most recent date should be used.

Practical point

This matters because the invoice date can feed directly into the payment-time calculation. A consistent rule should therefore be applied to invoices that use different labels such as invoice date, issue date, billing date or date issued.

Other ways people ask this

• What if an invoice has two different dates?
• Should I use invoice date or issue date for PTRS?
• What does PTRS mean by invoice issue date?
• Which date starts the payment-time calculation?

Official sources

• Payment Times Reporting Guidance Materials
  Invoice and receipt dates
  Paragraph: 142 · Example: 31 · Page: 38
• Worked Example – Standard Payment Times Report
  Glossary
  Reference: Invoice issue date

Related guidance

• Does the invoice receipt date affect payment time?
• How is payment time calculated for PTRS?
• What if there is no invoice?
• Which payment terms should I use for PTRS?

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