# Customizing your invoice preferences with AWS invoice configuration
<a name="invoice-configuration"></a>

You can use **AWS invoice configuration** to configure your invoice preferences so that certain member accounts in your AWS Organization receive invoices corresponding to their, or other member account's charges.

If you use Billing Transfers, you can use invoice configuration to support multiple tax settings and systems of record (SOR) for each organization that transfers bills to you.

**For standard invoice configuration use cases**

You can use invoice configuration so that member accounts receiving invoices accurately represent your organization's business model. As a result, invoice configuration can save you time on manual overhead of chargebacks to your business entities. You can create groups of accounts that match your AWS costs to your business entities, and model the billing relationship between your entities, furthermore streamlining procurement of your AWS services. You have the flexibility to create invoice units, and add or remove accounts from an invoice unit at any time. These changes can be done at any time during the month, and changes reflect on the invoice that you receive at the start of the next month. Your Out of Cycle Bills (OCBs) and subscription purchase invoices will also be billed to the respective invoice receiver account. Accounts that aren't a part of invoice units continue to receive AWS invoices the same way as before, using invoice configuration.

If you've opted in to daily invoice consolidation, you will receive a consolidated daily invoice that honors the invoice unit preferences that are active at the end of the day.

Invoice units inherit the payer account's payment method and terms. The management account and member accounts are jointly and severally liable for all charges accrued by the member accounts while joined in AWS Organizations.

To view the invoices, payer account and invoice receiver accounts can download invoices from the **Bills** page in the Billing and Cost Management console. Invoices are also emailed to the billing contacts that you configure in the invoice unit. Any refunds or credit memos are issued to the original account that the invoice is issued to.

**For Billing Transfer invoice configuration use cases**

To use invoice configuration to support multiple tax settings and seller of record (SOR) in billing transfers, create a member account in your Bill Transfer account. Then map one or more transferring organizations (including bill source accounts and all member accounts) to your member accounts under the bill transfer account.

## Key points
<a name="invoice-configuration_concept_key_points"></a>

You can use Invoice configuration for the following specific features:

**Create invoice units**  
You can create invoice units, or sets of mutually exclusive accounts, that correspond to your business entity. Invoice units are composed of a designated receiver account and a set of accounts where charges are grouped under an invoice issued to the receiver. You can use invoice units to separate your AWS costs and configure your invoice for each business entity going forward.

**Assign invoice receivers**  
You can assign receivers to each of your invoice units. You have the option to choose either the payer account or another member account to receive your business entity's invoice.

**Associate purchase orders to each business entity**  
You can associate [purchase orders](manage-purchaseorders.md) to each invoice unit to manage your procure-to-pay processes across business entities.

**Visualize, analyze, and understand your costs**  
You can use Cost Explorer and AWS Cost and Usage Report for each invoice unit to further analyze your AWS costs.

### Setting up IAM permissions
<a name="invoice-configuration-iam"></a>

An AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) identity, such as a user or role, must have permission to use the Invoice configuration. To grant access, see [Allow access to AWS invoice configuration in the Billing console](billing-example-policies.md#invoice-config-policy).

### Quotas
<a name="invoice-configuration-quotas"></a>

There are some quotas and restrictions that apply to Invoice configuration. See [AWS invoice configuration](billing-limits.md#limits-invoicing) in the *Quotas and restrictions* page for details.

For more information about service quotas, see [AWS service quotas](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/general/latest/gr/aws_service_limits.html) in the *AWS General Reference*.

# Creating invoice units with AWS invoice configuration
<a name="invoice-configuration-create"></a>

Invoice units are groups of mutually exclusive member accounts within a single AWS Organization that you create. You can create these invoice units so that they correspond to your business entities. Invoice units can be used to separate your AWS costs and configure which member account receives the invoice for each invoice unit going forward.

There are currently some limitations when creating invoice units:
+ You can't change the invoice receivers or invoice unit name after you create an invoice unit. An AWS account can only be a part of one invoice unit's rule at a time. However, a given account can be a receiver for multiple invoice units.
+ An account can't be a member of an invoice unit and a receiver for another invoice unit, unless it's the invoice receiver of both units.
+ You can only create invoice units within a single payer account or organization.
+ AWS invoice configuration doesn't automatically add new accounts to invoice units. Once new accounts are created, you must manually add this to an invoice unit, or use the [AWS Invoicing APIs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-cost-management/latest/APIReference/API_Operations_AWSInvoicing.html).
+ You can only consolidate invoices on a payer account level, and not on an invoice unit level.

For more information about the number of invoice units that you can create for each payer account, or character limits to an invoice unit name, see [AWS invoice configuration](billing-limits.md#limits-invoicing).

**Note**  
Prerequisite: To add invoice receivers, see [Adding additional billing contact email addresses](manage-payment-method.md#manage-billing-contact-emails).

**To create invoice units within your management account (standard invoice configuration)**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Invoice configuration**.

1. In the **Invoice units** section, choose **Create invoice unit**.

1. For **Invoice unit name**, enter a unique name that's distinctive within your AWS account. For details on allowed characters, see [AWS invoice configuration](billing-limits.md#limits-invoicing).

1. (Optional) For **Invoice unit description**, enter your description summary.

1. In the **Invoice receiver** section, choose the account receives invoices related to this invoice unit. Choose either the payer or member account as the invoice receiver.
**Note**  
The invoice receiver isn't a member of an invoice unit by default. If you choose a payer account as the invoice unit member, the payer account must be the invoice receiver for the invoice unit.

1. Review the invoice receiver details that automatically populate when you choose your account. These details will appear on your invoice.

1. If the invoice issuer is `Amazon Web Services, Inc.`, you can choose to inherit the invoice receiver's tax settings by choosing the **Apply tax settings to all accounts in invoice unit** checkbox.

   To confirm your tax settings are now inherited from the invoice unit instead of the payer account, see the **Tax settings** page in the console.
   + If the payer account is enabled for tax inheritance, the invoice unit members inherit the tax settings of the payer account.
   + If the invoice issuer isn't `Amazon Web Services, Inc.`, invoice unit members inherit the tax settings of the invoice receiver automatically.

1. In the **Accounts** section, select the accounts to add to the invoice unit.

1. Choose **Create invoice unit**.

The configuration is effective immediately once you create an invoice unit.

**To create invoice units across external management accounts (Billing Transfer)**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Invoice configuration**.

1. In the **Invoice units** section, choose **Create invoice unit**.

1. For **Invoice unit name**, enter a unique name that's distinctive within your AWS account. For details on allowed characters, see [AWS invoice configuration](billing-limits.md#limits-invoicing).

1. In the **Invoice receiver** section, choose the account receives invoices related to this invoice unit. Choose either the payer or member account as the invoice receiver.

1. Under the **Invoice units content** table choose **Add contents**.

   This opens a panel where you can see both accounts and billing transfers.

1. Choose the **Billing transfers** tile, and choose the transfers to include in your invoice unit.

   You can remove items individually or in bulk from the contents table.

1. Choose **Create invoice unit**.

You can find the new invoice unit on the **invoice configuration** page. Choose the unit name to view its details or choose **Edit** to make changes. The invoice configuration page includes a snapshot history that shows billing transfers within each invoice unit for specific date ranges. The **Billing Transfers** tab displays all transfers and their associated invoice units.

# Troubleshooting creating invoice units
<a name="invoice-configuration-create-troubleshooting"></a>

The following sections provide information about how to resolve common issues when creating invoice units.

## I want to update the invoice receiver's business information
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-create-receiver-legal"></a>

### Resolution
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-create-receiver-legal_resolution"></a>

Your invoice receiver's business name and address are retrieved from the inputs in the following order. Update your latest information in the applicable console pages:

**1. Update your information using **Tax settings****

1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the Billing console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Tax settings**.

1. Select the checkbox next to the account names.

1. From **Manage tax registration**, choose **Edit**.
   + For updating the business legal name

     1. Enter the updated name in the **Business legal name** field.
   + For updating the business legal address

     1. Enter the updated address in the **Business legal address** fields.

1. Choose **Next**.

1. Choose either your entered address or suggested address, and choose **Confirm**.

1. Choose **Update**.

**2. Update your information using payment preferences**

1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and open the Billing console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Payment preferences**.

1. In the **Default payment preference** section, choose **Edit**.
   + For updating the business name

     1. Under **Billing address**, update the **Full name** or **Company** field.
   + For updating the business address

     1. Under **Billing address**, update the **Address** fields.

1. Choose **Save changes**.

**3. Update your information using Account Management**

1. For detailed steps on how to access your **Accounts** page, see [Update your AWS account contact information](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/accounts/latest/reference/manage-acct-update-contact.html#manage-acct-update-contact-alternate-edit.html) in the *AWS Account Management User Guide*.

1. To change the business name, update the **Full name** under **Contact information**.

1. To change the business address, update the **contact address** or **alternate contact address**.

# Updating invoice units with AWS invoice configuration
<a name="invoice-configuration-update"></a>

You can update the invoice unit configuration and AWS will use the latest configuration at the end of the month. You can add or remove the accounts within the invoice unit, but you can't change the invoice receiver or invoice unit name.

**To update invoice units**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Invoice configuration**.

1. In the **Invoice units** section, choose an **Invoice unit**.

1. Under **Actions**, choose **Edit**.

1. Choose **Save changes**.

# Troubleshooting updates to invoice units
<a name="invoice-configuration-update-troubleshooting"></a>

You can use the information on this page to resolve common issues customers encounter when updating invoice units.

## I want to update the invoice receiver's email address
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-update-receiver-email"></a>

### Resolution
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-update-receiver-email_resolution"></a>

You can update the invoice receiver's email address using the following method:

**Update your legal information using Account Management**
+ Update the **alternate contact address** on your **Accounts** page. For detailed steps, see [Update your AWS account contact information](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/accounts/latest/reference/manage-acct-update-contact.html#manage-acct-update-contact-alternate-edit.html) in the *AWS Account Management User Guide*.

# Deleting invoice units with AWS invoice configuration
<a name="invoice-configuration-delete"></a>

Once you delete an invoice unit, you can't undo the action. You can still access the invoices generated before deleting the invoice unit.

**To delete invoice units**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Invoice configuration**.

1. In the **Invoice units** section, choose an **Invoice unit**.

1. Under **Actions**, choose **Delete**.

1. Choose **Delete invoice unit**.

# Troubleshooting topics for deleting invoice units
<a name="invoice-configuration-delete-troubleshooting"></a>

You can use the information on this page to resolve common issues when deleting invoice units or accounts.

## The impact to invoice units when an invoice receiver account is deleted, or moves out of AWS Organizations
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-delete-account"></a>

### Resolution
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-delete-account_resolution"></a>

Closing the invoice receiver account or removing them from the Organizations deletes the invoice unit entirely.

## The impact when a member account is deleted, or moves out of a consolidated billing family
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-update-delete-member"></a>

### Resolution
<a name="troubleshooting_ic-update-delete-member_resolution"></a>

When a member account is closed, moved out of your AWS Organizations, or moved out of your consolidated billing family, the invoice corresponding to the invoice unit that the account was a part of automatically omits the account in question.

# Viewing invoice units with AWS invoice configuration
<a name="invoice-configuration-view"></a>

Once you create an invoice unit, you can view invoice unit details in several different ways.

**To view invoice unit details**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Invoice configuration**.

1. Do one of the following:
   + In the **Invoice units** section, choose an **Invoice unit**.
   + In the **Accounts** tab, choose the accounts assigned to an invoice unit. The **Accounts** tab also lists accounts that aren't assigned to any invoice unites.

## Viewing the AWS invoice configuration snapshot history
<a name="invoice-configuration-view-history"></a>

You can view the historical invoice unit configurations at any time using the snapshot history feature.

**To view the invoice configuration snapshot history**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Invoice configuration**.

1. Choose **View configuration snapshot history**.

1. Enter the date and time that you want to view the configuration for.

1. To view details of each invoice unit listed, choose the **Invoice unit name**.

# Using AWS invoice configuration with other services
<a name="invoice-configuration-services"></a>

Once you create an invoice unit, you can use AWS invoice configuration with other Billing and Cost Management services.

## Associating purchase orders to invoice units
<a name="invoice-configuration-services-po"></a>

You have the option to associate a purchase order to one or more invoice units.

**To associate purchase orders**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Purchase orders**.

1. Add invoice units using the following steps:
   + When creating a new purchase order

     1. Choose **Add purchase order** to create a purchase order.

     1. In the **Invoice units** field, add one or more invoice units.

     1. Complete the other fields to create a purchase order. For more information, see [Adding a purchase order](adding-po.md).
   + When you're adding invoices to an existing purchase order

     1. Choose the **Purchase order ID** to edit.

     1. On the purchase order details page, choose **Edit purchase order**.

     1. In the **Invoice units** field, add one or more invoice units.

     1. Complete editing the purchase order. For more information, see [Editing your purchase orders](edit-po.md).

**Note**  
When you delete invoice units, you must delete the corresponding purchase order association as well.

## Visualizing your costs in AWS Cost Explorer
<a name="invoice-configuration-services-ce"></a>

You can view your invoice unit costs in the AWS Cost Explorer service. For more information about Cost Explorer, see [Analyzing your costs and usage with AWS Cost Explorer](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cost-management/latest/userguide/ce-what-is.html) in the *AWS Cost Management User Guide*.

**To visualize your costs in Cost Explorer**

1. Open the AWS Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/costmanagement/).

1. In the navigation pane, choose **Cost Explorer**.

1. For **Date Range**, enter a time range.

1. Under **Group by**, choose `Cost categories`.

1. For **Cost category**, choose `aws:invoice:invoiceUnitName`.

1. Choose the invoice units to view the costs for.

**Note**  
It can take up to 24 hours for Cost Explorer to show your invoice unit information.