How-to

How to Create a GST Invoice in 60 Seconds

June 2026 · 5 min read

Creating a GST invoice doesn’t require an accountant or expensive software. If you’re a freelancer or small business owner in India, you can create a GST invoice in 60 seconds using QuikBil — and share it directly on WhatsApp to collect payment via UPI.

This guide walks you through every step: what a GST invoice must contain, how to fill in the fields correctly, and how to send it to your client.

What is a GST Invoice?

A GST invoice is a document issued by a GST-registered supplier to the buyer. It records the goods or services sold, their value, and the applicable GST (Goods and Services Tax). Under Indian law, any registered business must issue a GST invoice for every taxable supply above ₹200.

For freelancers providing services — design, development, writing, consulting — a GST invoice is required if your annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakhs (₹10 lakhs in special category states).

Mandatory fields on every GST invoice

The CGST Act specifies the following fields must appear on every GST invoice:

Your business name, address, and GSTIN (15-digit GST Identification Number)
Invoice number — unique and sequential (e.g., INV-2026-001)
Invoice date
Client’s name and address — and their GSTIN if they’re registered
Description of services — what you delivered
HSN/SAC code — the service accounting code for your service type
Taxable amount — your fee before GST
GST rate and amount — split as CGST + SGST (intra-state) or IGST (inter-state)
Total amount payable

Step-by-step: Create a GST invoice on QuikBil

Go to quikbil.com and create a free account with your email. No credit card needed.

Enter your business details

Add your business name, GSTIN, and UPI ID in Settings. QuikBil stamps these on every invoice automatically.

Click "New Invoice"

Fill in your client's name, email, and address. Add each service as a line item with amount.

Select the GST rate

Choose 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, or 28%. QuikBil automatically calculates CGST and SGST (or IGST for inter-state clients) correctly.

Download or share

Download the PDF or tap "Share on WhatsApp." Your UPI payment link is printed on the invoice so the client can pay instantly.

GST rates for freelance services in 2026

Most freelance services in India are taxed at 18% GST. Here are the common rates:

Service type	GST rate
Web design / development	18%
Graphic design	18%
Content writing / copywriting	18%
Management consulting	18%
Photography / videography	18%
Training / coaching	18%
Export of services (foreign clients)	0% (LUT)

Common mistakes to avoid

Wrong GST split: For clients in the same state, split GST as CGST + SGST (half each). For clients in a different state, charge IGST (full rate). QuikBil handles this automatically.
Missing invoice number: Invoice numbers must be sequential. Never reuse a number.
Rounding errors: GST must be calculated on the exact taxable value, not an approximation.
Charging GST without registration: You can only charge GST if you’re registered. If you’re below the threshold, issue a regular invoice without GST.

Get paid faster with UPI

Every invoice generated on QuikBil includes a UPI payment link with your UPI ID pre-filled and the invoice amount. Your client can pay instantly from any UPI app — PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, or their bank — without you sending a separate payment request.

Create your first GST invoice free

Free for your first 5 invoices. No credit card, no setup fees.

Get started — it's free