Quick Answer
A compliant Indian GST tax invoice must show your GSTIN, a unique invoice number and date, the buyer's details, HSN code per item, taxable value, and the GST split — CGST+SGST for same-state sales or IGST for inter-state. Good ecommerce platforms generate this automatically for every order.
Once you're GST-registered (mandatory for ecommerce — see GST for ecommerce sellers), every sale needs a proper tax invoice. Here's exactly what it must contain.
Mandatory fields on a GST invoice
- Supplier details: business legal name, address, and GSTIN.
- Invoice number & date: a unique, sequential number for the financial year.
- Buyer details: name and address; GSTIN too if it's a B2B sale.
- Place of supply: the buyer's state — this decides CGST+SGST vs IGST.
- Line items: description, HSN/SAC code, quantity, unit price, and taxable value.
- Tax breakdown: GST rate and amount, split as CGST+SGST or IGST.
- Total value: taxable value + total GST, in words and figures.
Example tax split
For a ₹1,000 item taxed at 18% GST:
| Scenario | Tax lines | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Same-state (intra-state) | CGST 9% = ₹90 + SGST 9% = ₹90 | ₹1,180 |
| Other state (inter-state) | IGST 18% = ₹180 | ₹1,180 |
The total tax is the same — only the split differs based on the buyer's state.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing or non-sequential invoice numbers.
- Wrong CGST/SGST vs IGST because the place of supply wasn't checked.
- Missing HSN codes, which causes problems at return-filing time.
- Manually typed invoices with calculation errors.
Let the platform handle it
Manual GST invoicing doesn't scale. On HOD Media, you set your GSTIN and per-product HSN once; every order then gets a compliant invoice with the correct intra/inter-state split computed from the shipping address — accurate, sequential, and ready for your returns.
What must a GST invoice include for ecommerce in India?
A compliant GST tax invoice must include: your business name, address and GSTIN; a unique sequential invoice number and date; the customer's name (and GSTIN for B2B); HSN/SAC code per item; quantity, rate and taxable value; the GST rate and amount split into CGST+SGST (intra-state) or IGST (inter-state); the place of supply; and the total invoice value.
When do I charge CGST+SGST vs IGST?
It depends on the place of supply. If the buyer's state is the same as your store's state, charge CGST + SGST (split equally). If the buyer is in a different state, charge IGST (the full rate as one line). The platform should determine this automatically from the shipping address.
Do I need HSN codes on every invoice?
Yes — HSN (Harmonised System of Nomenclature) codes classify goods for GST. The number of digits required depends on your turnover, but including the correct HSN per product on every invoice keeps you compliant and makes return filing easier.
Does HOD Media generate GST invoices automatically?
Yes. HOD Media auto-calculates CGST/SGST/IGST from the buyer's state and your GST settings, applies the per-product HSN code, and generates a compliant tax invoice for every order — no manual calculation needed.