Types of Receipts

There are many different ways to keep track of your purchases. Receipts come in many different forms and may be used to account for money spent in a variety of different ways. Whether purchasing an item from a thrift store, department store or parking pass, receipts are used to track your purchases and the amount spent in a particular store.

An original receipt is given to a customer by a supplier. This paper may be in the form of an invoice, point-of-sale or order confirmation format. Original receipts must include essential information such as company name, items purchased and method of payment used. When returning an item to the manufacturer, many companies will require proof of purchase via the original receipt before a refund or compensation can be given.

If you pay for a purchase using a credit card, you'll receive a credit card slip in addition to or as a replacement for a standard receipt. These receipts are generally around three inches long and show some of the information listed on your credit card --name, expiration date, and the last four digits of your credit or debit card number. You're provided with a copy of the signed slip, while the company you made the purchase at keeps the original.

Professional invoices are generally printed on a letter-size sheet of paper. These are common with both large corporations, as well as independent businesses. The word "invoice" will be printed on the top and its contents may be customized with a customer's contact information. Home or private businesses may use templates found on various word processing software to create a full-page invoice, which is often provided electronically instead of via "snail mail."

Frequently, a receipt will be printed for display in vehicle windshields. This type of receipt, known as a window tag, is usually used for campsites or to prove a vehicle owner has paid the parking fee and is authorized to park in an assigned lot. The receipt may contain the amount paid, a specific space paid for, or other relevant information that must be displayed or provided upon request, depending on the situation.