Consultant invoice format for India

Consultants usually bill for time, a project or a monthly retainer. The invoice should make the engagement easy for your client's accounts team to approve and pay.

What to include

• Your details: name or firm name, address, PAN, and GSTIN if you are registered under GST.
• Client details: legal name, billing address, and their GSTIN if they have one.
• Invoice number and date: a unique, sequential number for the financial year, such as AK/26-27/0012.
• Description of services: the engagement and period, for example “Advisory services — September 2026 (retainer)” or “Process audit — 24 hours”.
• SAC code: services use SAC codes (they start with 99). Management and business consultancy services generally fall under heading 9983; pick the specific code that matches your service.
• Amount, GST and total: CGST + SGST if your client is in your state, IGST if they are in another state.
• Payment details and terms: bank account, IFSC, UPI ID and the due date.

TDS on professional fees

Many business clients deduct TDS before paying a consultant (commonly under section 194J). Your invoice still shows the full amount; the client pays the balance and issues a TDS certificate. When you record the payment, note both the amount received and the TDS deducted so your books match the invoice — Cruzeviz lets you record TDS with each payment.

Retainers

For a monthly retainer, issue one invoice per month with the period in the description. Cruzeviz Pro can create the draft for you every month so you only review and send it.

Not registered under GST?

Leave out GST, title the document “Invoice” rather than “Tax Invoice”, and show your PAN. See invoice without GST.

This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. GST rules change; check the current rules or ask your tax adviser for your situation.

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