Guide

How to make a GST invoice

A GST tax invoice must show your name, address and GSTIN; a unique serial number for the financial year; the date; the buyer's name, address and GSTIN (for a registered buyer); a description with HSN or SAC code, quantity and taxable value; the GST rate and the CGST, SGST or IGST amount; the place of supply for inter-state sales; and your signature.

Updated 29 October 2026

The details every tax invoice needs

These come from Rule 46 of the CGST Rules.

Your business name, address and GSTIN.
A consecutive serial number, up to 16 characters, unique for the financial year (for example INV/2026-27/0042).
The invoice date.
The buyer's name and address, and GSTIN if they're registered.
For an unregistered buyer, their name, address and state when the value is ₹50,000 or more.
HSN code for goods or SAC code for services.
Description, quantity and unit, total value, any discount, and the taxable value.
GST rate and amount, split as CGST and SGST (same state) or IGST (other state), plus any cess.
Place of supply with the state name, for inter-state supplies.
Whether tax is payable on reverse charge.
Signature or digital signature of you or your authorised person.

Worked example

Kaveri Traders in Chennai sells 10 bags of rice at ₹500 each (5% GST) to a registered shop in Madurai. Taxable value ₹5,000; CGST 2.5% ₹125; SGST 2.5% ₹125; total ₹5,250. Had the buyer been in Bengaluru, the same bill would charge IGST 5% ₹250 instead, with place of supply 29-Karnataka.

Making it in HextaBook

Pick the customer and items — HextaBook fills in the GSTIN, HSN and rates, works out CGST and SGST or IGST from the place of supply, numbers the invoice for the financial year and prints every detail above.

Frequently asked questions

Is a bill of supply different from a tax invoice?

Yes. A bill of supply is issued for exempt goods or services, or by a composition dealer, and shows no GST. A tax invoice is issued by a regular GST-registered business for taxable supplies.

Can I make a GST invoice on my phone?

Yes. HextaBook works in the phone's browser and as an installable app, and invoices can be shared on WhatsApp straight away.

How many copies of a GST invoice are needed?

For goods, three: original for the buyer, duplicate for the transporter and triplicate for the supplier. For services, two: original for the buyer and duplicate for the supplier.