Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about FlashBill.
Getting started
Is FlashBill free?
Yes — our Free plan lets you send up to 5 invoices per month at no cost. When you need more, our Starter plan starts from £9/month with unlimited invoices. See full pricing →
Do I need a credit card to sign up?
No. The Free plan requires no payment details at all. You only enter card details if you choose to upgrade to a paid plan.
Who is FlashBill built for?
FlashBill is built specifically for UK sole traders, contractors, and small businesses — especially in construction. If you deal with CIS deductions, VAT, or Late Payment notices, FlashBill handles all of that automatically.
Does FlashBill work on mobile?
Yes. FlashBill is a Progressive Web App (PWA) — install it on your iPhone or Android like a native app. Send invoices from the van, on site, or anywhere with an internet connection.
Invoicing & features
What is CIS and does FlashBill support it?
CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) is a HMRC tax scheme for contractors and subcontractors in the UK. FlashBill automatically calculates all 6 CIS × VAT combinations (TC-01 to TC-06) — no spreadsheets, no manual maths. It also generates CIS Statement PDFs for your accountant.
Does FlashBill support VAT reverse charge?
Yes. The domestic reverse charge for construction services (introduced January 2021) is fully supported. FlashBill adds the correct VAT reverse charge notice to your invoice automatically when enabled.
Can I send quotes as well as invoices?
Yes. FlashBill has a full Quotes module — create and send professional quotes, then convert them to invoices with one click when the job is confirmed.
Can I set up recurring invoices?
Yes — on the Pro and Business plans. Set a billing interval (weekly, monthly, etc.) and FlashBill generates and sends invoices automatically on schedule.
Does FlashBill send payment reminders automatically?
Yes. FlashBill automatically sends overdue reminders to clients who haven't paid. You can choose between friendly, firm, or formal (Late Payment Act) reminder tone per client.
Can my clients pay online?
Yes. Every invoice includes a secure payment link. Clients can pay by card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay — directly from their phone or computer. Bank transfer details are also shown on every invoice.
Plans & billing
What's the difference between the plans?
The Free plan allows up to 5 invoices/month. Starter gives unlimited invoices, CSV exports and reminders. Pro adds recurring invoices, Xero export, CIS statements and quotes. Business adds multi-user access and priority support. See the full comparison →
Can I switch plans or cancel anytime?
Yes. No contracts, no lock-in. Upgrade or cancel anytime from your billing settings. If you cancel, you keep access until the end of your billing period — no immediate cutoff.
Is there a discount for annual billing?
Yes — paying annually saves you around 2 months compared to monthly billing. Switch to annual at any time from your billing settings.
Data, security & compliance
Is my data safe?
Yes. Your bank details are encrypted with AES-256 at rest. All connections use HTTPS/TLS. We never store card details — payments are handled by Stripe (PCI-DSS Level 1). See our Security page for full details.
Is FlashBill compliant with HMRC requirements?
Yes. FlashBill generates VAT invoices that meet HMRC's statutory requirements (VAT number, invoice number, date, description, net/VAT/gross), handles CIS deductions correctly, and retains records for 6 years as required.
Can I give my accountant access to my invoices?
Yes — on the Pro and Business plans. Generate a read-only accountant link from your Settings. Your accountant can view all invoices and export reports without needing a FlashBill account.
Can I export my data?
Yes. You can export your invoices as a CSV spreadsheet (all plans) or as a Xero-compatible CSV (Pro and Business). Individual invoices can be downloaded as PDF at any time.
What happens to my data if I cancel?
Your data remains accessible for 30 days after cancellation so you can export everything. Invoice records are retained for 6 years as required by HMRC. We comply fully with UK GDPR.
Support
Who do I contact if something goes wrong?
Email us at support@flashbill.co.uk or use our contact form. We reply within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. Business plan users get priority support with faster response times.
Still have questions?
Contact Us →