Splitting one invoice across multiple budget lines
Most invoice line items map cleanly to one budget line. Sometimes they do not — a contractor invoices "Plumbing rough-in" in one go, and the work spans bathroom and kitchen budget lines. Splitting lets you reflect that without lying about either line.
01When to split
You are looking at the linking screen for an invoice (see linking an invoice or quote to a budget line). For most line items you pick one budget line, leave the amount as the full total, and move on. You only need to split when the line item really does cover more than one budget line — for example:
- A "First fix" invoice that covers electrical work in three rooms.
- A general-contractor monthly progress invoice that bundles structural and finishing work.
- A single delivery invoice for materials destined for different parts of the build.
If you find yourself splitting most line items on most invoices, the issue is usually that your budget lines are too coarse. Adding a few more child lines is usually a better fix than splitting on every invoice.
02How to split
On any line item card on the linking screen, look for the Add split button at the bottom of the assignments. Tap it and a second row appears with its own budget-line picker and amount field. Add as many split rows as you need.
For each row:
- Pick the budget line.
- Enter the amount that goes to that line.
The card shows a running total of what you have assigned vs. the line item's total, with a coloured strip down the left edge:
- Green — fully assigned. The split adds up exactly. You are good.
- Amber — under-assigned. There is still a remainder waiting to be allocated.
- Red — over-assigned. You have allocated more than the line item is worth. Reduce one of the rows.
You can confirm the linking only when every line item is either fully assigned (green) or deliberately under-assigned (you can save with a remainder, but the card flags it). Over-assigned cards block the Confirm button.
03Splitting rules
- The sum of split amounts cannot exceed the line item total. Hemma allows a one-cent tolerance for rounding, but anything beyond that is treated as over-allocation.
- Each split row must point to a leaf budget line. Categories cannot receive direct links.
- Two splits on the same line item can point to the same budget line — Hemma sums them. There is no reason to do this on purpose, but it does not break anything.
- Removing a split row deletes only that row. The line item's other splits and the totals on other line items are untouched.
04A worked example
A "Bathroom & kitchen plumbing rough-in" invoice line totals €4,200 incl-VAT. You agreed with the contractor that €2,500 is for the bathroom, €1,700 for the kitchen.
- On the line item card, set the first row to Bathroom → Plumbing, amount 2500.
- Tap Add split. The second row appears.
- Set it to Kitchen → Plumbing, amount 1700.
- The card shows assigned €4,200 / €4,200 with a green border.
- Confirm the linking. Both budget lines see their Invoiced column move; the budget total reflects exactly what the contractor billed.
05Common questions
My split has a one-cent remainder. Belgian invoice rounding. Either accept the cent on one side (€2,500.01 + €1,699.99) or leave the remainder — Hemma considers a one-cent gap balanced.
Can I split a line item I already confirmed? Yes. Open the invoice and Edit linking. Add the split, save. The budget moves accordingly.
Should I split by net amounts or incl-VAT amounts? Incl-VAT. Linking is incl-VAT throughout — see net, VAT, and total for why.
Can I split a line item across project and private spending? Not within Hemma. Hemma's budget tree is the project budget; private spending lives outside it. The workaround: leave a remainder on the line item that represents the private portion, and document it in your notes.
06What if it goes wrong
- The Confirm button stays disabled? At least one card is red (over-allocated). Walk the cards top to bottom — over-allocations are highlighted with a red border.
- The split amount is rejected on save? Check that you used a comma or dot for decimals consistently and that the amount is not negative.
- Budget totals look off after splitting? See my budget total looks wrong.