Bills - Flag a Bill as 'in dispute / query'
Ability to flag individual bills as in dispute
Purpose | To enable review and ensure the business does not make payment for a bill when it's currently 'under query'

Hi community, we acknowledge the strong feelings in this idea and why you need a feature to flag bills directly within Xero. We really appreciate all your feedback and the detailed explanations of how this would help streamline your accounts payable.
We are dedicated to providing a solution for this over the longer term, but this will take some time requiring changes that sit beneath the face of bills.
In lieu of a direct feature for this we wanted to highlight some of the options discussed by the community here:
- Add a note to the bill: A detailed note on the bill itself can serve as a clear internal reminder of the dispute.
- Utilise tracking categories: Creating a specific tracking category like "Disputed Bills" can help you filter and report on these items.
- Adjust the due date: Temporarily extending the due date can prevent accidental payment while the dispute is being resolved.
- Update the reference to add a notation such as [reference number] - Do not pay
- Adjust the planned date to be very far out in the future
We know these options won't fit all needs here, and we are invested in continuing to develop Purchase and more specifically bills in Xero to suit your needs.
We'll continue to provide updates with any progress that steps closer to enabling you to flag bills that are in dispute in Xero. Thank you for continuing to engage and share insights through this idea.
-
Juline Thompson commented
This is a must function for sales ledger. This will ensure we are not chasing constantly for invoices which are queried. Or having to read every comment on the invoices.
-
Shashish Savaliya commented
Another basic, fundamental bookkeeping process that should have been prioritised long ago.
-
Shashish Savaliya commented
Another basic, fundamental bookkeeping process that should have been prioritised long ago.
-
Tanya Harris commented
Whilst greatly appreciate your comments, none of the above are really a workable solution compared to just flagging an invoice in query.
All other accounting software I have used for commercial businesses have included this feature as a mainstay for purchase ledger processes
-
Tanya Harris commented
This is so needed for bills / supplier invoices, and critical to businesses that are buying multiple items from suppliers and is present in all of the previous accounting systems I have used in larger commercial businesses. I can't believe it isn't already a function as it's a mainstay when working in purchase ledger.
It will allow for pricing queries to be resolved without losing sight of the invoice by not posting it, but prevent it from being accidentally paid on a payment run.
-
Helen Reid commented
Placing supplier invoices on Hold/ Unapprove
Right now the only way to do this is not scheduling them for payment but its unspecific. A button that places invoice in hold and then prompts you if you try to schedule it or make payment to either not pay/ not schedule or remove hold would be great please. With supplier with hundreds of invoices a month this would be invaluable.
This function could be simple button or allow for note on hold / date of review etc
-
Joan Philbin commented
I second this comment as a must have on the system
think this issue could be solved in the same way as the issue around payment type for bills. A new field where you can determine the payment type eg Direct Debit, AP, or Under Dispute. Would need to be able to filter on the field to make it work properly but could solve two issues in one.
-
Lisa Beauchamp commented
I think this issue could be solved in the same way as the issue arround payment type for bills. A new field where you can determine the payment type eg Direct Debit, AP, or Under Dispute. Would need to be able to filter on the field to make it work properly but could solve two issues in one.
-
Samantha Davies commented
I'd like to provide feedback on the recent update and the proposed solutions regarding disputed bills, specifically in response to Kelly's suggestions. I believe the current options provided by Kelly act more as workarounds rather than providing a true fix for this issue.
From my perspective, a more effective solution would be to introduce a new section in the bills screen, perhaps named "Disputes." This section could function similarly to how drafts currently work, but with clear distinctions. In my previous company, we utilised a "hold file" where we could raise the invoice and add purchase orders at a later date when the dispute was resolved by searching, which is already a function within Xero.
If Xero were to implement a "Disputed Items" header in this section, it would not impact the accounts, as we would still be accruing the purchase order value, especially since it hasn't been billed yet. While this might not be a direct requirement for everyone, it would provide a dedicated place to store PDF invoices and any related emails.
Please feel free to correct my ideas above.
-
kirsty bolderson commented
@xero what do you mean
"Utilise tracking categories: Creating a specific tracking category like "Disputed Bills" can help you filter and report on these items."
-
Gemma Foley commented
I have raised an official complaint with Xero. This is becoming a joke. I will keep you all updated with the progress...... fingers crossed!!
-
Patrycja Sliwinska commented
100% needed function in Xero. Putting payable items on hold/in dispute is much needed. Using the awaiting approval doesn't work as we import our payable invoices via Revolut so they go straight to awaiting payment.
-
Julie Cawood commented
We deal with a lot of parts suppliers who invoice upon dispatch. Sometimes they send the wrong or faulty item but will only release a credit note once the goods are returned. We have a huge purchase ledger so being able to flag up this status, saves the invoice being swept into the next bacs run, which is really important! It just shows that software people are not finance people!
-
Gemma Foley commented
is there any way to tag Xero?
-
Kerry Ramsden commented
Obviously not implicating their work loads.. only 1,141 votes!
-
Kerry Ramsden commented
Yes we are already looking at other options. Customers will be lost, paying a premium for an accounting system with these flaws is unacceptable.
Xero needs to motivate some changes very quickly. -
Emma Roberts commented
I find it hilarious for a company to direct people to a site where people are berating them so much. It does not make good business sense. But as we all can agree we are only the customers and not really that important !!!!!
-
Gemma Foley commented
Absolutely agree Kerry but I don't have another solution other than to abort Xero and use another provider...... Xero obviously don't care!
-
Kerry Ramsden commented
Yet another brush off.....perhaps we should apply to work for Xero....I'm sure you all like myself have HMRC and other statutory deadlines to work to....completely unacceptable to be waiting months/years!
-
Gemma Foley commented
Reply from Xero on Trust Pilot .... Like we haven't already raised SEVERAL cases!!!
4 hours ago
Hi, Roofline Design UK Ltd. Thank you for taking the time to share this feedback with us - we’ll make sure it's passed on to the team. For troubleshooting support in the meantime, please raise a case via Xero Central so we can take a closer look.