--- title: "Configure invoice templates for deferred revenue" slug: "configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue" tags: ["Area - Memberships", "Focus - Service Replacement", "Role - Accountant", "Role - Admin", "Type - Residential"] updated: 2026-10-16T01:13:56Z published: 2026-10-16T01:13:56Z canonical: "help.servicetitan.com/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.servicetitan.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Configure invoice templates for deferred revenue ## Overview Use Invoice templates to recognize Deferred revenue from membership sales for Recurring service events. For example, if a $200 annual membership includes four HVAC maintenance visits, you can create a zero-dollar invoice template that recognizes $50 of deferred revenue for each visit. --- ### **Wh**o uses this feature**** - Accountants, bookkeepers, and administrators - Primarily benefits Residential Service and Replacement business types - Applies to all trades ## Things to know - Before you start, make sure to [create Pricebook service items for deferred revenue](/residential-s-r/docs/create-pricebook-service-items-for-deferred-revenue). - Recurring service types use invoice templates to generate zero-dollar invoices for recurring service events included with a membership. - If you set up a Membership type with automatic deferred revenue calculations, invoices are calculated using the membership type settings, not the invoice template settings. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-iu58wxd6.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D) - Invoice templates cannot include chargeable material or equipment items. ## Configure an invoice template Each complete recurring service event job generates a zero dollar invoice. To recognize deferred revenue, add the positive-dollar and negative-dollar service items from your pricebook to the invoice template: 1. Go to the top toolbar and click **Settings** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/icon-gnav-settings-inactive.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D). 2. From the side panel, click **Invoicing** > **Invoice Templates**. A table of invoice templates displays. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-ls0cua2p.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D) 3. Click **Edit** for the invoice template you want to configure, or click **Add** to create a new one. 4. In the *Services* section, click **Add Service**. 5. In the **Search** field, enter a few letters of the positive-dollar Pricebook item name or code. Select the item from the dropdown. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-kuy2azfw.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D) 6. To change the amount of revenue recognized for each completed recurring service event, in the **Unit Price** field, enter the amount of revenue you want to recognize. This does *not* change the unit price of the item in your pricebook. > [!TIP] > **Tip:** If you automatically calculate deferred revenue in the Memberships Wizard, enter $1.00. The amount adjusts based on how you configure the membership settings. *![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-i9utij20.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D)* 7. In the *Services* section of the invoice template, click **Add Service** and follow the previous steps to add the negative-dollar service item. 8. Make sure the **Unit Price** is a negative amount equal to the positive-dollar service item. This amount is debited from the GL liability account. > [!TIP] > **Tip:** If you automatically calculate deferred revenue in the Memberships Wizard, enter -$1.00. The amount adjusts based on how you configure the membership settings. *![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-g5hb9cae.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D)* 9. To add materials: 1. In the *Materials* section, click **Add Material**. 2. In the **Search** field, enter a few letters of the Pricebook material item name or code. Select the item from the dropdown. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-8qwb3x9s.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D) > [!NOTE] > **Note:** You can adjust the quantity of the material item, but the price must be $0.00. You cannot add chargeable material items to an invoice template. 10. When you’re done adding services and materials, click **Save Changes**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/961862ab-d0f2-4d91-bb62-a62ee8184eff/Images/Documentation/configure-invoice-templates-for-deferred-revenue-image-8wzlk3bp.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-09T11%3A30%3A11Z&se=2026-11-09T12%3A30%3A11Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=diuasqTVmP99O6uJaE9Jdlsg%2FuPN37FjzTUTE7T%2BJEk%3D) When you create or edit a recurring service type, this template appears as an option in the *Invoice Template* dropdown. ## FAQ --- ### #### When I book recurring service jobs (membership appointments), I see positive and negative tasks on the invoice. What's the purpose of the + / - tasks? This means your office has set up deferred revenue. The + / - tasks on the recurring service invoice template are there to recognize deferred revenue. The positive task credits an income general ledger (GL) account while the negative task debits the liability GL account where revenue is deferred. In most cases, the amount of these tasks is automatically calculated by ServiceTitan. > [!NOTE] > **Note:** Do not make changes to these tasks without consulting your accountant. ## Want to learn more? - Visit ServiceTitan Academy and enroll in [Deferred Revenue Memberships](https://servicetitan.docebosaas.com/academy/learn/courses/352/Validate-and-Sell-Deferred-Revenue-Memberships) - See [Create and edit invoice and Billing templates](/residential-s-r/docs/create-and-edit-invoice-and-billing-templates) Invoice templates are used to generate invoices for recurring services and billing invoices. They include the pricebook items for services performed during a recurring service job or for periodic billing of ongoing memberships. [Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/memberships-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview) Deferred revenue is used in accrual accounting to manage advanced payment for upcoming services. After accepting payment, you only recognize it as income upon delivery of services, when the revenue is earned. Memberships use deferred revenue to account for recurring services included with a membership. [Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/memberships-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview) **a.k.a.** deferred income Recurring service events appear in Follow Ups where they can be booked into jobs. They are scheduled based on the frequency details of a service location's recurring services. The recurring service event includes details from the recurring service to help job booking. [Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/memberships-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview) The template used to set up recurring services for a service location. It includes details to help book recurring service events into jobs including job type, business unit, recurrence type, and duration type. [Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/memberships-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview) The template used to set up a membership for a customer. It includes recurring service types, tags, pricing, accounting details, and duration and billing details. [Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/memberships-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview) Billing templates are a type of invoice template that include the pricebook item used to generate billing invoices for ongoing memberships. [Learn more →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/memberships-glossary) · [See the full glossary →](https://help.servicetitan.com/docs/glossary-overview)