GST invoice template for content writers
Writers bill in more units than almost anyone: per word, per article, per project, per month. Clients also love to pay late and to deduct TDS. Your invoice has to make the unit obvious, because a client's accounts team will check "1,500 words × ₹3" against the brief far more carefully than "Article – ₹4,500".
This template is set up for per-article billing with the word count shown, plus a retainer line. It uses SAC 998399 (other professional, technical and business services) at 18%, and the notes field carries your payment terms and a reminder about TDS certificates.
Example content writer invoice
Ananya Rao – Content & Copy bills BrightPath EdTech Pvt Ltd for ₹43,000.00 before tax. The seller is in Telangana and the client is in Haryana, so the whole ₹7,740.00 of GST is charged as IGST. The invoice total is ₹50,740.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long-form blog articles, ~1,800 words each (Nov batch) | 998399 | 4 | 6,500.00 | 26,000.00 | 18% | 30,680.00 |
| 2 | Landing page copy – 1 page, 2 revisions | 998399 | 1 | 8,000.00 | 8,000.00 | 18% | 9,440.00 |
| 3 | Email nurture sequence (5 emails) | 998399 | 5 | 1,800.00 | 9,000.00 | 18% | 10,620.00 |
| GST slab | Taxable | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | 43,000.00 | 7,740.00 |
Notes: TDS (if applicable) to be deducted under section 194J. Please share Form 16A.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
SAC codes content writers commonly use
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 998399 | Other professional, technical and business services (content writing, copywriting) |
| 998361 | Advertising services, when writing is part of a campaign |
| 998395 | Translation and interpretation, if you localise content |
These are commonly used headings, not legal advice. Confirm the best fit with your accountant, and read our HSN vs SAC guide for how to choose.
What to get right on a content writer invoice
- Print the word count and brief. "Blog post, 1,500 words, brief dated 3 Nov" ties the invoice to what was ordered and ends arguments about whether a 1,200-word draft was acceptable.
- Plan for TDS. Companies often deduct 10% TDS under section 194J on professional fees. Ask for the TDS certificate (Form 16A) every quarter and reconcile it with Form 26AS before you file your return.
- Invoice on delivery, not on publish. Publication dates are the client's schedule, not yours. Write "Payable within 15 days of delivery" so your cash does not wait on their editorial calendar.
- Keep ghostwriting terms visible. If the client takes the byline and full rights, mention "all rights transferred on payment" in the notes. It protects both sides.
How content writers usually bill
Per-word rates between ₹1 and ₹8 are common for web content, with higher per-article pricing for technical and long-form work. Monthly retainers (say, 8 articles a month) make cash flow predictable and are easy to invoice on the first working day.
The place of supply decides the tax type: Telangana to Haryana is an inter-state supply (IGST). See CGST vs SGST vs IGST for the full rules, or see how invoicing works in Telangana.
Content Writer invoice FAQs
Do freelance writers need to charge GST?
Only once aggregate turnover crosses ₹20 lakh in a financial year. Below that you can bill without GST. If your client is abroad and pays in foreign currency, those earnings count towards turnover but the supply can be zero-rated.
What is the right SAC code for content writing?
There is no dedicated heading for writing, so most freelancers use 998399, other professional, technical and business services. Writers working inside advertising campaigns sometimes use 998361.
A client deducted TDS. Do I still charge GST on the full amount?
Yes. TDS under the Income Tax Act is calculated on the amount before GST when GST is shown separately. The invoice should still carry GST on the full taxable value.