
Payment Receipt: What It Is, What It’s For, and How to Obtain It
A payment receipt is issued after purchases, transfers, or payments. Learn how to obtain a payment receipt and its uses.

A receipt serves as proof of a financial transaction, which is crucial to avoid issues and confirm that the transfer was successfully completed. Additionally, it allows both parties (sender and recipient) to verify payment details.
However, a money transfer receipt is not only useful for keeping track of financial transactions; it can also be necessary for accounting procedures or fund withdrawals from certain services.
Since the format and content may vary depending on the transfer method, here’s everything you need to know.
A money transfer receipt is a physical or digital document that confirms the transfer of funds from a sender to a recipient. This document is issued by the service provider and contains all transaction details.
Typically, it is issued by banks, financial platforms, or remittance companies.
Although its main purpose is to prove that a transaction was completed, it is also used to:
Verify that the money was sent correctly.
Track a transfer in case of delays or issues.
Serve as proof for accounting, tax, or legal procedures.
Facilitate withdrawals, as some services require the recipient to provide the reference number from the receipt.
For this reason, it is crucial to be aware of the requirements for sending money online.
This document serves as proof of a financial transaction in various situations, such as:
Financial obligations. Used as proof of loan payments, mortgages, or other financial commitments made via bank transfer.
Service payments. Businesses and freelancers issue receipts to confirm payment for services rendered, such as consulting, maintenance, or subscriptions.
Rent payments. Landlords issue receipts to tenants to document monthly rent payments.
Money orders and remittances. Companies like Western Union generate transfer receipts with a withdrawal code that the recipient must provide to collect the money.
Payments in stores or establishments. In some cases, when sending money from a retail store, a physical receipt is issued, which the sender should keep.
Bank transfers. When making a bank transfer, whether domestic or international, the bank or financial platform issues a receipt. This document allows both the sender and the receiver to verify the amount sent, the date and other key data of the operation.
Therefore, the receipt not only certifies the transaction but also facilitates verification and tracking of the transferred funds.
A money transfer receipt must include essential elements to fulfill its purpose.
The basic details that make the document clear and valid are:
Amount in numbers and words to prevent confusion or alterations.
Full name of the sender.
Full name of the recipient.
Transaction date, including day, month, and year.
Identification number or official document details of both the sender and the recipient (varies by country).
Recipient’s signature to confirm that the money was received.
Every money transfer receipt must contain minimum information to validate the received amount and the involved parties.
However, additional details may be included depending on the transaction type. For example, in international transfers, the receipt may specify exchange rates and applied fees.
Depending on the context, money transfer receipts can vary in format and purpose.
Here are the most common types:
Bank receipt.
Remittance receipt.
Rent payment receipt.
Debt payment receipt.
Payroll or salary receipt.
Cash income and expense receipt.
These documents are not equivalent to an invoice. However, some businesses may accept them as proof of purchase for product exchanges or returns.
While both serve as records of financial transactions, they have different purposes and are not interchangeable.
The biggest difference is that a money transfer receipt is useful for accounting purposes but has no fiscal validity, whereas an invoice does.
Additionally, a receipt does not need to include a breakdown of taxes, whereas an invoice must specify itemized costs, applicable taxes, and the total amount.
For greater clarity, check this comparison table:
Money receipt | Invoice | |
Purpose | Proof of receipt of payment. | Tax document that justifies the sale of goods or services. |
Tax validity | No. | Yes. |
Tax Breakdown | It is not necessary, it only shows the total amount paid. | It must include a breakdown of taxes (VAT, income tax, etc.). |
Date of issue | Issued when payment is received. | It can be issued before, during or after payment, according to the agreement between the parties. |
Accounting use | It can be used for internal control of payments, but not for tax deductions. | It is used to record income and expenses in a company's formal accounting. |
Legal requirements | It does not have strict regulations, but must contain basic payment information. | It must comply with tax regulations and contain data such as RFC, company name and tax breakdown. |
In summary, a money transfer receipt confirms that a payment was received, whereas an invoice serves a tax and accounting purpose, ensuring compliance with fiscal obligations.
To obtain a payment receipt, you need to request it from the provider, establishment, or person who received the money. Typically, the sender provides the necessary details, and the receipt is generated through this process:
1. Gather the necessary information. Include the full details of both the payer and the recipient, along with the transaction date, exact amount, and a description of the payment purpose.
2. Choose the format. If it’s a physical receipt, a printed receipt book is a convenient option. For digital versions, PDFs or specialized apps with pre-designed receipt templates are commonly used.
3. Fill in the details. The receipt must include names, date, amount paid, purpose, payment method, and, in some cases, signatures from both parties.
4. Verify and sign. It is crucial to double-check that all information is correct. If it’s a physical receipt, the signature should be legible.
5. Provide a copy. The payer must receive a copy of the receipt, and the issuer should keep another copy for records.
These are the basic steps for creating a payment receipt. However, online platforms offer various templates that you can print and customize according to your needs.
By using DolarApp as an alternative to send or receive money in digital dollars, you can generate your receipt. This way, you can make sure that every transaction is documented. In addition, you can export and share it whenever you want.
The app is simple and transparent, with a fixed fee of just 3 USDc per international transfer (deducted from the recipient). Additionally, you can convert digital dollars to pesos whenever you need, with a competitive exchange rate.
Los países tienen fronteras. Tus finanzas, ya no.
A payment receipt is issued after purchases, transfers, or payments. Learn how to obtain a payment receipt and its uses.
Do you know what remittances are and why they are important? Read this post to find out, along with how they work and the types of remittances that exist in Mexico.