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Index

Differences between a debit note and credit note

By Annapoorna

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Updated on: Nov 8th, 2021

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1 min read

Businesses use debit notes and credit notes as official documents for accounting sale return and purchase return transactions. These notes inform the buyer how much credit they have or how much further they owe to the vendor.

Debit note vs credit note becomes important to understand where business frequently deals with both scenarios. The understanding of terms could also vary from the perspective of the seller and buyer. But the following comparison is made in common business parlance.

Below is a comparative table of debit notes vs credit notes:

ParticularsDebit noteCredit note
Who issues it?The buyer of goods issues it.The seller of goods issues it.
MeaningThe buyer of goods issues a debit note to the seller to return the goods received due to quality issues or other reasons. A debit note contains the reason for the return of goods.The seller of goods issues a credit note to confirm that the purchase return is accepted.
Can be issuedIt can be issued only in the event of credit purchases from the buyer's perspective.It can be issued only in the event of credit sales.
ImpactIt reduces account receivables in the books of sellers.It reduces account payables in the books of the buyer.
ReflectsA debit note reflects a positive amount.A credit note reflects a negative amount.
FormIt is another form of purchase return.It is another form of sales return.
AccountingIt leads to updating purchase return books.It leads to updating of sales return books.
EntrySupplier Account Dr.
Purchase return Cr.
Sales return account Dr.
Customer Account Cr.
Issued in exchange ofA debit note is issued in exchange for a credit note.A credit note is issued in exchange for a debit note.
Issued by a seller to the buyerThe seller issues debit notes to the buyer if the buyer is undercharged or the seller has sent additional goods.The buyer issues a credit note as an acknowledgement of a debit note received.
InkIt is issued in blue ink.It is issued in red ink.
About the Author

I preach the words, “Learning never exhausts the mind.” An aspiring CA and a passionate content writer having 4+ years of hands-on experience in deciphering jargon in Indian GST, Income Tax, off late also into the much larger Indian finance ecosystem, I love curating content in various forms to the interest of tax professionals, and enterprises, both big and small. While not writing, you can catch me singing Shāstriya Sangeetha and tuning my violin ;). Read more

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Quick Summary

Debit notes and credit notes are used in accounting for sale and purchase return transactions, reflecting account receivables and payables. Buyer issues a debit note while the seller issues a credit note.

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