How do I do a credit note or debit note, and what does ZIMRA require?

A fiscalised invoice is permanent: it cannot be edited or deleted. To reverse or adjust one you issue a credit note (to reduce it) or a debit note (to increase it). Both are themselves fiscalised and submitted to ZIMRA.

When to use which

• Credit note — goods returned, an over-charge, a discount applied after the sale, or a full cancellation of the original invoice.
• Debit note — an under-charge on the original invoice (you need to bill more).

What ZIMRA requires on the note (mandatory)

• A clear reference to the original fiscal invoice it corrects (its fiscal number).
• A reason for the credit or debit.
• The buyer's name and TIN where the original was a B2B invoice, so their input tax is adjusted correctly.
• The correct tax class on each adjusted line, matching how the original was taxed.
• It must be fiscalised — a note is a fiscal document, not just an internal adjustment.

Step by step

1. Open the original invoice in Receipts / Invoices.
2. Choose Credit note or Debit note. PI Fiscal links it to the original automatically.
3. Enter the reason and the lines/quantities/amounts being adjusted. For a full return, credit all lines.
4. Confirm the tax on each line matches the original.
5. Click Fiscalise. The note gets its own fiscal number and QR code and is sent to ZIMRA.
6. Give the customer the credit/debit note document; it's their proof of the adjustment.

Important notes

• A credit note restores the buyer's input-tax position, so keep amounts and tax exact.
• Never issue a brand-new invoice to "cancel" an old one — use a credit note, or your totals and VAT return won't reconcile.
• Time limits can apply to corrections; if in doubt about an old document, check current ZIMRA guidance.