What Is a GST Invoice?
When a GST-registered business sells goods or services, the bill it gives the buyer is called a tax invoice. It is more than a receipt — it is the document that records the tax charged on the supply. The seller reports those figures in GSTR-1, and a business buyer generally relies on the same document to claim input tax credit, which is why the details on it matter.
A clear GST invoice typically shows who supplied what, to whom, for how much, and how the GST was calculated — split into CGST and SGST for sales within the same state, or shown as IGST for sales across states. Requirements can differ by situation, so when legal accuracy matters, confirm the current rules on the official GST portal or with your tax advisor.
Want to check the maths on an invoice you received? The GST invoice checker verifies taxable values and tax amounts line by line.
How to Create a GST Invoice Online
Enter your business details
Add your legal or trade name, GSTIN, address and state. Your GSTSelf profile can prefill this automatically.
Add the customer
For B2B sales include the customer's GSTIN; for B2C bills just the name and state are enough.
Set numbering and dates
Use a sequential series like INV-1001. The generator remembers your next number and suggests it on new invoices.
List your items
For each line add a description, HSN/SAC code, quantity, rate, discount and the GST slab that applies.
Check the tax summary
CGST/SGST or IGST is calculated per line using the place of supply, with totals and amount in words updated live.
Download, print or file
Save the invoice as a PDF, print it, keep it in My Invoices, or push it into your Sales Register to prepare GSTR-1.
What Details Should a GST Invoice Contain?
These are the details commonly found on an Indian tax invoice — exactly the fields the generator above asks for:
- Supplier details
- Your business name, address and contact information.
- GSTIN
- Your 15-character GST identification number, plus the buyer's for B2B sales.
- Invoice number
- A unique sequential number such as INV-1001.
- Invoice date
- The date the invoice is issued.
- Customer details
- The billed-to party's legal name, address and state.
- Place of supply
- Decides whether CGST+SGST or IGST applies.
- HSN / SAC
- Classification code per line for goods or services.
- Taxable value
- Quantity × rate, less any discount.
- GST rate
- The slab that applies to each item.
- CGST / SGST
- Two half-rate taxes for supplies within your state.
- IGST
- One full-rate tax for supplies to another state.
- Total invoice value
- Taxable value plus GST, rounded, in words and figures.
How CGST, SGST and IGST Are Calculated
The place of supply decides how GST is split. Supply within your own state: the slab rate divides into two equal halves — CGST to the centre and SGST to the state. Supply to a different state or union territory: the full rate applies once as IGST.
| Slab | Within state | Another state |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | CGST 2.5% + SGST 2.5% | IGST 5% |
| 12% | CGST 6% + SGST 6% | IGST 12% |
| 18% | CGST 9% + SGST 9% | IGST 18% |
| 28% | CGST 14% + SGST 14% | IGST 28% |
On a ₹10,000 item at 18% supplied within Maharashtra, the invoice adds ₹900 CGST and ₹900 SGST. Supplied to Karnataka, it adds a single ₹1,800 IGST instead. Try numbers yourself in the GST calculator, which handles the same split for any amount.
GST Invoice PDF Download
Clicking Download PDF builds a print-quality A4 document in your browser — vector text rather than a screenshot, so it stays sharp when printed or zoomed. The file is named after your invoice number (for example GST-Invoice-INV-1001.pdf), ready to email, WhatsApp or archive.
Prefer paper? Print Invoice sends just the document to your printer — none of the surrounding page. Choose from four templates (Classic GST, Modern Business, Professional Services, Minimal) before you export; every template carries the same GST details.
GST Invoice for Small Businesses
Shops, traders, wholesalers and small manufacturers usually do not need full accounting software just to raise a bill. Here you can set up once — your business block, bank details and terms stay remembered on the device — and issue a consistent, numbered, GST-calculated invoice in under a minute whenever you make a sale.
Because everything stays local, you can work offline after the page loads, and nothing about your customers or pricing reaches a server. When it is time to file, one click moves saved invoices into the built-in sales register. Already keep records in a spreadsheet? Import your existing sales register from Excel or CSV via the import tool.
GST Invoice for Freelancers and Service Providers
Consultants, designers, developers and agencies bill services with SAC codes instead of HSN goods codes — both are supported per line. Raise a B2B invoice to a registered client with their GSTIN and place of supply, or a simple B2C bill otherwise; the correct CGST/SGST vs IGST treatment follows automatically.
Duplicate last month's invoice from My Invoices, update the number and items, and download a fresh PDF — recurring billing without retyping client details.
GST Invoice vs Bill of Supply
A tax invoice is used when you charge GST on a taxable supply — it itemises the tax. A bill of supply is commonly associated with supplies where no GST is charged, such as exempt goods or sales by composition dealers. In short: charging GST → tax invoice (what this tool produces); not charging GST → a bill of supply document instead. Situations vary, so verify which document fits your case with your tax advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a GST invoice?
A GST invoice (often called a tax invoice) is a bill a GST-registered business issues when supplying goods or services. It shows the supplier and customer details, a sequential invoice number, a description of what was supplied with HSN/SAC codes, the taxable value, the GST charged as CGST/SGST or IGST, and the total payable amount.
How can I create a GST invoice online?
Fill in your business details, add the customer, enter your line items with quantity, rate and GST slab, and the invoice builds itself as you type. You can then download it as a PDF or print it — all on this page, without installing anything.
Can I create a GST invoice for free?
Yes. The GSTSelf invoice generator is completely free, has no usage limits, and does not require an account, subscription or card details.
Can I download a GST invoice as PDF?
Yes. Click Download PDF and your browser generates a clean A4 PDF named after your invoice number — no watermark, no email required. The PDF is created entirely on your device.
What is the difference between CGST, SGST and IGST?
For a sale within your own state, the GST splits into two halves: CGST (central) and SGST (state). For a sale to another state, the full rate applies as one IGST amount. The generator picks the correct split automatically from the place of supply you select.
Can I create a GST invoice without accounting software?
Yes — that is exactly what this page is for. You do not need Tally, ERP or any accounting package. A browser is enough to produce a professional, calculation-ready tax invoice.
Can I add my GSTIN to the invoice?
Yes. Enter your GSTIN under business details and your customer's GSTIN for B2B invoices. The tool checks the standard GSTIN format and shows the state code on the invoice.
Can I add HSN or SAC codes?
Yes. Every line item accepts an HSN code for goods or a SAC code for services, printed alongside the item description. If you are not sure which code applies, use the HSN/SAC finder linked below the tool.
Can I create invoices for B2B customers?
Yes. Add the customer's registered name, GSTIN and address — the invoice includes all party details a B2B buyer typically expects for their input credit records.
Can I create invoices for B2C customers?
Yes. Leave the customer GSTIN blank and the invoice works as a B2C bill of supply style record with only the customer name and place of supply.
Where is my invoice data stored?
On your device only. Drafts and saved invoices live in your browser's local storage, and nothing is uploaded to any server. Clearing your browser data removes them, so download PDFs of invoices you want to keep.
Can I use GSTSelf without creating an account?
Yes. Every GSTSelf feature — including this invoice generator, the sales register and GSTR-1/GSTR-3B preparation — works without registration because your data never leaves your device.