GST invoice format for Tamil Nadu (state code 33)
Tamil Nadu's economy is unusually spread out. Chennai runs services and IT, Coimbatore and Tiruppur run manufacturing and textiles, and Madurai supports a large regional trade. A freelancer serving small manufacturers often has clients who are micro or small enterprises, which makes payment timing as much a part of the invoice as the tax.
Every GSTIN registered in Tamil Nadu starts with 33. This page covers the intra-state invoice (Chennai to Coimbatore, where CGST and SGST apply) with a note on payment terms for MSME clients. It also shows what changes when the client sits in neighbouring Kerala or Karnataka.
Tamil Nadu tax split at a glance
For a ₹50,000.00 service at 18% GST, here is what appears on the invoice depending on where the client is.
Client in Tamil Nadu (same state)
- CGST 9%
- ₹4,500.00
- SGST 9%
- ₹4,500.00
- Invoice total
- ₹59,000.00
Client in Kerala (state code 32)
- IGST 18%
- ₹9,000.00
- Invoice total
- ₹59,000.00
Hubs covered: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruppur. Every GSTIN registered in Tamil Nadu starts with 33.
Example invoice from Tamil Nadu
Kaveri Design & Print invoices Kongu Spinning Mills Pvt Ltd in Tamil Nadu. The tax is CGST and SGST and the total is ₹1,33,340.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annual report design, 64 pages | 998391 | 1 | 95,000.00 | 95,000.00 | 18% | 1,12,100.00 |
| 2 | Stationery set design (letterhead, card, envelope) | 998391 | 1 | 18,000.00 | 18,000.00 | 18% | 21,240.00 |
| GST slab | Taxable | CGST | SGST |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18% | 1,13,000.00 | 10,170.00 | 10,170.00 |
Notes: Payment due within 30 days of invoice date.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
Points that matter when invoicing from Tamil Nadu
- Intra-state is the common case. With a large base of local manufacturers, much Tamil Nadu billing stays within the state. Expect CGST and SGST, each at half the total rate, shown as two lines.
- MSME clients and the 45-day rule. If your client is a micro or small enterprise buying services from you, the Income Tax Act's section 43B(h) pushes them to pay within 45 days to claim a deduction. Mention your payment terms and their Udyam number if relevant.
- Textile and export clients. Tiruppur and Coimbatore firms often export. They may ask you to quote taxes carefully so they can claim input credit, so keep the HSN/SAC code and their exact GSTIN on every invoice.
- Local-language invoices. You can write the description in Tamil, but keep the mandatory fields (GSTIN, HSN/SAC, tax lines, totals) in English or numerals that tax officers can read.
Fields every Tamil Nadu GST invoice needs
Every tax invoice from a Tamil Nadu seller must carry your name, address and GSTIN (starting 33), a unique invoice number and date, the client's name and address, the place of supply, HSN or SAC code, taxable value, tax rate and amount, and the total. The full list is in our guide to mandatory GST invoice fields.
Tamil Nadu GST invoice FAQs
What is the GST state code for Tamil Nadu?
Tamil Nadu is state code 33, so every GSTIN registered in the state begins with 33.
I'm in Chennai and my client is in Coimbatore. Which GST applies?
Both are in Tamil Nadu, so CGST and SGST apply, each at half the rate. At the 18% slab that is 9% CGST plus 9% SGST.
Does my MSME client have to pay me within 45 days?
If you are the supplier and the client is a registered micro or small enterprise, the 45-day timeline in section 43B(h) of the Income Tax Act affects when the buyer can claim the expense. It is a tax deduction rule rather than a collection mechanism, but it motivates quicker payment.