Tax Invoice Format under GST

Tax invoice format (GST, Rule 46)

This template covers all Rule 46 particulars for a B2B supply. If you are above the notified turnover limit for e-invoicing, the invoice must also be reported to the Invoice Registration Portal and carry the IRN and QR code. FundRaksha Book produces GST-compliant tax invoices like this from your phone or laptop, with the first 300 invoices free.

TAX INVOICE
[ORIGINAL FOR RECIPIENT / DUPLICATE FOR TRANSPORTER / TRIPLICATE FOR SUPPLIER]

Supplier: [YOUR COMPANY NAME]
Address: [ADDRESS]
GSTIN: [YOUR GSTIN]   State: [STATE NAME]   State code: [CODE]
Phone: [PHONE]   Email: [EMAIL]

Invoice No.: [INVOICE NO. - max 16 characters, e.g. INV/25-26/0457]
Invoice Date: [DATE]
Due Date: [DUE DATE]   (Payment terms: [CREDIT DAYS] days)
PO No. and date: [PO NO.] dated [DATE]
Delivery challan / E-way bill No.: [DC NO.] / [EWB NO.]
IRN (if e-invoicing applies): [IRN]          [QR CODE]

Bill to (Recipient): [CUSTOMER NAME]
Address: [BILLING ADDRESS]
GSTIN: [CUSTOMER GSTIN]   State: [STATE NAME]   State code: [CODE]

Ship to (if different): [DELIVERY ADDRESS, STATE NAME AND CODE]
Place of supply: [STATE NAME AND CODE]

S.No. | Description of goods/services | HSN/SAC   | Qty   | Unit | Rate (Rs.) | Discount (Rs.) | Taxable value (Rs.)
1     | [DESCRIPTION]                 | [HSN/SAC] | [QTY] | [UOM]| [RATE]     | [DISCOUNT]     | [VALUE]
2     | [DESCRIPTION]                 | [HSN/SAC] | [QTY] | [UOM]| [RATE]     | [DISCOUNT]     | [VALUE]

Total taxable value:              Rs. [AMOUNT]
CGST @ [RATE]%:                   Rs. [AMOUNT]
SGST/UTGST @ [RATE]%:             Rs. [AMOUNT]
(or) IGST @ [RATE]%:              Rs. [AMOUNT]
Cess (if any):                    Rs. [AMOUNT]
Invoice total:                    Rs. [AMOUNT]
Amount in words: Rupees [AMOUNT IN WORDS] only

Tax payable on reverse charge: [Yes / No]

Bank details: [ACCOUNT NAME], [BANK], A/c [ACCOUNT NO.], IFSC [IFSC]
Udyam Registration No.: [UDYAM NO., if MSME]

Terms: Payment due within [CREDIT DAYS] days of the invoice date. Interest at [RATE]% per annum [or: as per Section 16 of the MSMED Act, 2006, for micro and small suppliers] is payable on amounts not paid by the due date. Subject to [CITY] jurisdiction.

Declaration: We declare that this invoice shows the actual price of the goods/services described and that all particulars are true and correct.

For [YOUR COMPANY NAME]

Authorised signatory: ____________________  (signature or digital signature)

Received the goods/services in good condition:
Name: ____________   Signature: ____________   Date: ____________   Seal:

Rule 46 particulars and other rules to know

• Recipient details. GSTIN for a registered recipient. For an unregistered recipient, name and address and the delivery address with state name and code are required where the taxable value is ₹50,000 or more.
• HSN/SAC digits. The number of digits depends on your aggregate turnover as notified (more digits for larger businesses). Use your accountant's current list.
• Place of supply with state name is required for inter-state supplies; it decides IGST versus CGST plus SGST. See GST state codes.
• Timing. Goods: at or before removal or delivery (Section 31(1)). Services: within 30 days of supply (Rule 47).
• Copies. Goods: original for recipient, duplicate for transporter, triplicate for supplier. Services: original and duplicate (Rule 48).
• Exempt or composition supplies use a bill of supply instead.

How to fill it

1. Check the customer's GSTIN is active before the first invoice; a cancelled GSTIN means the buyer cannot take credit and will hold your payment. A free GSTIN check on FundRaksha Trust takes seconds.
2. Number invoices consecutively for the year, with no gaps and no reuse.
3. Quote the PO number and the delivery challan or e-way bill number on the invoice.
4. Show discount and taxable value per line, then CGST and SGST (intra-state) or IGST (inter-state).
5. Print the due date and the late-payment interest term on the face of the invoice.
6. Report it in GSTR-1 on time, so it reaches the buyer's GSTR-2B. Buyers often delay payment for invoices missing from their 2B.

Common mistakes that delay payment

• Wrong GSTIN, legal name or place of supply: the buyer's ITC is at risk, so their accounts team holds the invoice.
• Invoice not uploaded in GSTR-1, so it does not appear in the buyer's GSTR-2B.
• No PO reference: large buyers' systems cannot match the invoice and it sits in a queue.
• No due date or credit period: the buyer decides when payment is 'due'.
• No acknowledgement of receipt of goods; keep the signed challan or GRN.

How the tax invoice carries your claim if the buyer does not pay

The tax invoice is the core document in every recovery route. Reported in GSTR-1 and visible in the buyer's 2B, it is hard to deny. The buyer also has a reason to pay: under Section 16(2) of the CGST Act, input tax credit must be reversed if the supplier is not paid within 180 days of the invoice date (see ITC reversal after 180 days). Interest stated on the invoice supports your interest claim, and for micro and small suppliers the MSMED Act gives interest at three times the RBI bank rate regardless.

If the invoice is overdue, send a payment reminder and let FundRaksha Collect follow up automatically for a 1% success fee. If reminders fail, FundRaksha Legal sends a legal notice within 24 hours. Read customer not paying invoice for the full path.