Our free GST invoice generator turns the details you already have, your business, your client, what you sold and the tax rate, into a clean, print-ready tax invoice. The step that decides whether the invoice is correct is choosing the tax head: CGST plus SGST when you and the place of supply are in the same state, IGST when they are in different states. Everything else is careful data entry, and this guide walks through it in order.
Key takeaways
- Gather your GSTIN, the client's GSTIN and state, your invoice number series, and HSN or SAC codes before you start.
- Fill sections in order: your details, client details, invoice number and date, line items, tax, then payment details.
- Pick CGST plus SGST or IGST based on place of supply, not on habit.
- Check the totals and the amount in words before you save or print.
- For foreign clients, use the export invoice tool instead, so LUT wording and currency are handled properly.
Before you start: keep these ready
| Detail | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Your legal name, address and GSTIN | GST registration certificate | Mandatory on every tax invoice |
| Client's name, address, GSTIN and state | Purchase order or client master | Decides place of supply and tax head |
| Next invoice number | Your invoice register | Must be consecutive and unique for the year |
| HSN codes (goods) or SAC codes (services) | Your product list, or the SAC code finder | Required on the invoice |
| GST rate for each item | Your CA or past invoices | Drives the tax calculation |
| Bank details or UPI ID | Your bank | So the client can pay quickly |
Five minutes spent here saves edits later.
Step-by-step: filling the generator
Step 1: Your business details
Open the GST invoice generator and enter your legal business name, address and GSTIN exactly as they appear on your registration. If you trade under a brand name that differs from your legal name, show the legal name, since that is what matches your GSTIN.
Step 2: Client details and place of supply
Enter the client's name, billing address and GSTIN, and make sure the state is right. For most business clients, the place of supply for services is the registered recipient's location, so the client's state drives the tax head in Step 5. If the client is unregistered, enter the address and state; the place of supply still matters.
Step 3: Invoice number and date
Use the next number in your series. GST requires a consecutive serial number, unique for the financial year, and many businesses use a format like "AS/26-27/057". Our guide to invoice numbering rules explains how to keep the series clean. Enter the invoice date, and a due date if you want payment terms to show.
Step 4: Line items
Add one line per item or service: a clear description, the HSN or SAC code, quantity and unit where relevant, rate, and any discount. Descriptions like "Services" are not helpful; "Website maintenance, October 2026, 20 hours" tells the client exactly what they are paying for.
Step 5: Tax head and rate
This is where most errors happen. If your registered state and the place of supply are the same, apply CGST and SGST, each at half the rate. If they differ, apply IGST at the full rate. Our explainer on choosing CGST, SGST or IGST works through examples. Then enter the rate for each line.
Step 6: Review totals and amount in words
Check the taxable value, each tax amount and the invoice total. Confirm the total in words reads correctly in Indian numbering, lakh and crore rather than million.
Step 7: Payment details and notes
Add your bank account details and, if you accept UPI, a QR code; our UPI QR code generator creates one you can place on the invoice. Add payment terms and any notes, such as a purchase order number. Then save or print the invoice and keep a copy in your records.
A worked example
Asha Design Studio, a proprietorship registered in Maharashtra, invoices a client in Hyderabad, registered in Telangana, for two services in November 2026. Assume both attract GST at 18% (confirm your own rates).
| Line | Description | SAC | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brand identity design, logo and guidelines | Confirm with CA | ₹1,20,000 |
| 2 | Social media templates, 30 designs | Confirm with CA | ₹45,000 |
| Taxable value | ₹1,65,000 | ||
| IGST at 18% | ₹29,700 | ||
| Invoice total | ₹1,94,700 |
Because Maharashtra and Telangana are different states, Asha applies IGST rather than CGST and SGST. The amount in words reads "Rupees One Lakh Ninety-Four Thousand Seven Hundred only". She adds her bank details and a UPI QR code, saves the invoice, and records invoice number AS/26-27/057 in her register.
Had the client been in Pune, the same invoice would show CGST at 9% (₹14,850) and SGST at 9% (₹14,850), with the same total.
Special cases
Foreign clients
A tax invoice for a client abroad is an export invoice, which needs the foreign currency, the client's overseas address and, if you export under LUT, the wording "Supply meant for export under LUT without payment of IGST". Use our export invoice generator for these. Covered exporters also declare such invoices on a monthly EDF with their bank.
Advance requests and corrections
If you want to request payment before supplying, a proforma invoice is the right document; it is not a tax invoice. If you need to reduce an invoice already issued, issue a credit note rather than editing the original.
Common errors to avoid
- Charging CGST and SGST to a client in another state.
- Skipping or reusing invoice numbers.
- Leaving out the HSN or SAC code.
- Using a brand name instead of the legal name linked to your GSTIN.
- Mismatched totals between figures and words.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and invoice rules can change, so confirm anything unusual with your CA.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GST invoice generator really free?
Yes, the GST invoice generator on FileEDF is a free tool. You enter your details, review the invoice and save or print it for your records and your client.
Can I use the generator if I am not registered under GST?
A tax invoice is issued by registered persons. If you are not registered, you generally should not charge GST; ask your CA what document suits your situation, such as a simple invoice or a bill of supply where applicable.
How do I decide between CGST plus SGST and IGST?
Compare your registered state with the place of supply. Same state means CGST plus SGST at half the rate each; different states mean IGST at the full rate.
Can I create an invoice for a foreign client with this tool?
For foreign clients, use the export invoice generator instead. It handles foreign currency, overseas addresses and LUT wording, which a domestic GST invoice does not.
What should I do if I make a mistake on an issued invoice?
Do not delete or overwrite it. Issue a credit note or debit note as appropriate, and ask your CA if the error involves the wrong tax head or GSTIN.
Bottom line
Gather your details first, fill each section in order, and double-check the tax head before you save. Create your next invoice now with our free GST invoice generator.
This guide is general information for Indian businesses, not legal or tax advice. Rules and bank processes change — confirm specifics with your AD bank or chartered accountant.