You finished the work. Now you need to get paid. But opening billing software, setting up an account, or paying a monthly fee just to send one invoice feels like overkill.
There’s a better way. You can create a professional invoice — or a GST-compliant tax invoice — in minutes, right in your browser. No signup, no software, no cost.
Simple invoice vs GST invoice — which do you need?
This depends on whether you’re GST registered:
- Simple Invoice — for freelancers, individuals, or businesses not registered under GST. Just your details, client details, items, and total. Clean and professional.
- GST Invoice (Tax Invoice) — required if you’re GST registered. Includes your GSTIN, client GSTIN, place of supply, and tax breakdown (CGST + SGST for intra-state, or IGST for inter-state).
If your annual turnover is above ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh for some states), GST registration is mandatory and you must issue tax invoices.
What a good invoice must include
Whether simple or GST, every invoice should have:
- Your business name, address, and contact details
- Client name and address
- A unique invoice number (e.g., INV-001)
- Invoice date and due date
- Itemised list of services or products with quantity, rate, and amount
- Total amount due
- Payment details (bank account, UPI, etc.)
For GST invoices, also include your GSTIN, client GSTIN (if registered), place of supply, and the tax breakdown.
How to create an invoice using PDForge
- Open the Invoice Generator tool
- Choose Simple Invoice or GST Invoice at the top
- Fill in your business details — name, address, email, phone
- Add your client’s details
- Set the invoice number, date, and due date
- Add line items — description, quantity, and rate
- Apply a discount if needed
- Add bank details and any payment notes
- Click Preview Invoice to review
- Download as a clean PDF
Create your invoice now — free, private, no account needed.
Generate Invoice →Understanding GST on invoices
If you’re issuing a GST invoice, the tax is calculated on the amount after any discount:
- Intra-state (supplier and buyer in same state): GST splits into CGST and SGST — each at half the GST rate. For 18% GST, that’s 9% CGST + 9% SGST.
- Inter-state (supplier and buyer in different states): Full GST applies as IGST. For 18% GST, that’s 18% IGST.
The PDForge invoice generator handles this automatically — just select your tax type and GST rate, and it calculates the correct split.
Common GST rates in India
Most services and products fall into one of these slabs:
- 5% — Essential goods, some food items
- 12% — Processed foods, some services
- 18% — Most professional services (IT, consulting, design, freelancing)
- 28% — Luxury goods, some specific categories
Freelancers providing software, marketing, or consulting services typically fall under 18%.
Tips for getting paid faster
- Always set a due date — invoices without due dates get delayed. Net 15 or Net 30 are standard.
- Include bank details on the invoice — the fewer steps for the client to pay, the better.
- Number your invoices sequentially — INV-001, INV-002, etc. Makes tracking easy for both sides.
- Send PDF, not screenshots — a PDF looks professional and can’t be accidentally edited.
- Add a note — a short “Thank you for your business” goes a long way.
Do I need accounting software?
For most freelancers and small businesses sending a handful of invoices per month, dedicated accounting software is overkill. A free invoice generator that produces professional PDFs is all you need.
When you start dealing with inventory, payroll, or tax filing workflows, that’s when tools like Zoho Books or Tally make sense. Until then, keep it simple.
Your invoice is often the last impression you leave on a client before they pay. A clean, professional-looking invoice signals that you take your work seriously.