# Credit Note
Staffs use this option to issue a **credit note** when a patient has made a payment for a service that is later canceled or postponed. Instead of processing a refund, the amount is retained as credit note in the patient's account. This credit note can then be used for future invoices.
***
### **Steps to Issue a Credit Note**
* Open the **Invoice** screen by navigating to **Home > Billing > Invoice**.
* Locate and open the relevant invoice.
* In the **Invoice Details** section, select the **Show Credit** checkbox. From the dropdown list, select **Credit Note** and use the **Date** calendar to select the respective date.
* In the same section, enter the credit note amount in the **Credit** column. By default, the full item amount is populated. You may adjust the amount if necessary.
* Finally, save the invoice. The collected amount will now be added to the patient’s **Credit Note balance**.
***
### **Steps to Consume a Credit Note**
* Open the **Invoice** screen by navigating to **Home > Billing > Invoice**.
* Locate and open the new invoice of the same patient where the credit note is to be consumed.
* If the patient has a credit note balance, a checkbox labeled **Use Credit Note** appears in the **Payment Options** section. Select the **Use Credit Note** checkbox.
* In the **Credit Note** pop-up, select the checkbox and enter the amount to be consumed. Click the **APPLY** button.
* Save the invoice. The consumed amount will be deducted from the credit note balance and will appear as **Credit Note Consumed** in the [**Payment Summary**](/uniteemr/application-modules/billing/invoice/invoice-sections/payment-options-and-summary.md) section.
***
### Steps to Create a Credit Note for an Overdue Invoice
Staffs can use this option to create a Credit Note for an overdue invoice. In this process, a Credit Note is created for the full invoice amount and is automatically consumed against the same invoice.
{% hint style="info" %}
If any amount has been collected from the patient, that amount is added to the patient's Credit Note balance and can be utilized for future invoices.
{% endhint %}
Follow the steps below to create a Credit Note for an overdue invoice:
* Open the **Invoice** screen by navigating to **Home > Billing > Invoice**.
* Locate and open the overdue invoice for which the Credit Note must be created.
* If configured, the **CREATE CREDIT NOTE** button appears in the **Patient Invoice(s)** section. Click **CREATE CREDIT NOTE** to open the **Apply Credit Note** pop-up.
* In the pop-up:
* Review the item description details.
* Modify the **Rate** if required.
* Review the summary displayed below and click Save.
* Finally, save the invoice. The Credit Note will be successfully applied to the overdue invoice.
***
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