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January 12, 2026
Question

Progress Invoicing - % of TOTAL not per line item

  • January 12, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 4 views

I have progress invoicing turned on and when we use the % function, it takes a % of each line.

 

An example of the full estimate:

Line Item #1: Widget A, 100 qty, $1 ea, $100 total
Line Item #2: Widget B, 200 qty, $2 ea, $400 total

Line Item #3: Labor, 10 qty, $50 ea, $500 total

TOTAL: $1,000

 

An example of what QB does when I say I want to invoice 50%:

 

Line Item #1: Widget A, 50 qty, $1 ea, $50 total
Line Item #2: Widget B, 100 qty, $2 ea, $200 total

Line Item #3: Labor, 5 qty, $50 ea, $250 total

TOTAL: $500

 

This looks to the client like I am only supplying half the amount of widgets and half the labor but in reality they are receiving all the widgets and all the labor but only paying half up front. How can I get QB to *just* discount the total by the % i am requesting and not each line item.

 

We are using progress invoicing to invoice for a 50% up front deposit since there isn't another function for it.

1 reply

Level 8
January 12, 2026

Good afternoon, @wanderingmoose17

 

I appreciate you coming to the Community with your question about discounting a whole invoice. 

 

The best route would be to do a discount line item in order to discount the invoice. Here's how to do this properly in your QBO account: 

 

  1. Enable Discounts: Go to Gear Icon > Account and Settings > Sales > Sales form content > Edit ✎ > Turn on Discount > Save > Done.
  2. Create a Discount Item: Go to Gear Icon > Products and Services > New. Choose Non-stock or Service, name it "Discount" (or "10% Discount," etc.), enter the discount as a negative amount or percentage, link it to the "Discounts given" account, and save.
  3. Add to Invoice: On your invoice, list all your items, then add the new Discount item as a line item. You can apply a flat dollar amount or a percentage, and QBO will calculate it off the subtotal of preceding items.

 

Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions. I'm only a post away if you need me again. Take care!