What a proper invoice must contain
Whatever your size, an invoice needs: your name and address, a unique sequential invoice number, the date, the client's name, a clear description of what was sold with quantities and rates, and the total. The generated invoice includes all of these, plus the amount in words — the convention Indian accountants and banks expect.
If you're GST-registered, the requirements depend on the supply. The tool provides fields for seller and customer GSTIN, place of supply, HSN/SAC and either CGST/SGST or IGST. It formats what you enter but cannot determine the correct classification or tax rate for you, so verify those details before issuing the invoice.
Not GST-registered? You still invoice — without GST
Businesses under the registration threshold (generally ₹40 lakh turnover for goods, ₹20 lakh for services) invoice without charging GST — select 'No GST' and the document correctly says 'Invoice' rather than 'Tax Invoice'. Charging GST without a GSTIN is illegal, and clients' accountants check.
Freelancers billing foreign clients: exports of services are zero-rated under GST; most small freelancers below the threshold simply bill without GST. Once your turnover approaches ₹20 lakh, talk to a CA about registration and LUT filing — the rules have real money attached.
Invoicing habits that get you paid faster
The invoice is a payment instrument, not paperwork. What measurably helps:
- Number invoices sequentially and never reuse a number — it's a legal requirement for GST businesses and keeps your own accounting sane.
- Put payment details on the invoice itself: UPI ID, bank account and IFSC in the notes field. Every extra step a client needs costs you days.
- State payment terms explicitly — 'Payment due within 7 days' beats silence. Under India's MSME rules, registered micro and small enterprises are legally entitled to payment within 45 days.
- Send the invoice the day the work completes. Invoices sent weeks later get paid weeks later still.
Frequently asked questions
›Can I make a GST invoice without being registered?
No — charging GST requires a GSTIN, and doing it without one is illegal. If you're not registered, select 'No GST': the tool then produces a plain invoice (not a 'Tax Invoice'), which is exactly what an unregistered business should issue.
›What is the difference between CGST and SGST on my invoice?
For an intra-state supply, GST is generally split equally into CGST and SGST. For an inter-state supply, it is generally shown as IGST. Select the applicable supply type and verify the place-of-supply treatment with your accountant.
›Does an invoice need a signature?
A signature (or authorised signatory line, which this invoice includes) is expected on GST tax invoices — physical or digital. For small freelance invoices sent by email, the practice is widely relaxed, but printing and signing never hurts and some clients' accounts teams insist.
›How should I number my invoices?
Sequentially within a financial year, unique, up to 16 characters for GST purposes — e.g. 2026-27/001. Don't restart numbering mid-year or skip numbers; gaps invite questions during GST audits and make your own bookkeeping harder.
›Is my invoice data stored anywhere?
No — the invoice is built entirely in your browser and disappears when you close the page. Save the PDF (or print a copy) for your records before closing; for GST businesses, invoices must be retained for 72 months.