GST invoice template for interior designers
An interior designer's invoice is a mixed supply in disguise. Your design fee is a service, the furniture and fittings you buy are goods, and the site supervision and project management that bind them together are another service. Putting it all in one "Interior project – ₹12,00,000" line is the quickest way to get a GST query.
This template separates design fees (SAC 998391, 18%), site supervision, and procured items with their own HSN codes and rates. That structure shows the client what they paid for, and gives you the right tax on each part. If you bill only your own design charges and the client buys materials directly, drop the goods lines.
Example interior designer invoice
Studio Ishani Interiors bills Mr. & Mrs. Dhillon for ₹2,29,000.00 before tax. The seller is in Haryana and the client is in Punjab, so the whole ₹41,220.00 of GST is charged as IGST. The invoice total is ₹2,70,220.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interior design – concept and detailed drawings (stage 2 of 4) | 998391 | 1 | 1,20,000.00 | 1,20,000.00 | 18% | 1,41,600.00 |
| 2 | Site supervision, 6 visits | 998391 | 6 | 4,000.00 | 24,000.00 | 18% | 28,320.00 |
| 3 | Custom wardrobe unit, supplied (HSN 9403) | 9403 | 1 | 85,000.00 | 85,000.00 | 18% | 1,00,300.00 |
| GST slab | Taxable | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | 2,29,000.00 | 41,220.00 |
Notes: Stage 3 (execution drawings) to be invoiced on approval. Vendor invoices attached for reimbursements.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
SAC codes interior designers commonly use
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 998391 | Specialty design services including interior design |
| 998321 | Architectural services, if you also deliver architecture |
| 9403 | HSN for furniture, if you supply furniture as goods |
| 9405 | HSN for lighting fittings and fixtures |
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 interior designer invoice
- Split services from goods. Each supply has its own GST rate. Splitting them avoids charging the wrong rate on the wrong thing and makes input credit cleaner for business clients.
- Bill design fees in stages. Concept, detailed drawings and execution drawings each deserve a stage invoice. A client who pays at each stage will not hold back a large final payment.
- Procurement margins need care. If you buy for the client and charge a margin, the full resale value is your supply. If you earn a commission from vendors, the commission is a separate taxable service.
- Attach vendor invoices to reimbursements. Anything you pay on the client's behalf and bill at cost should be supported by the vendor's invoice in the client's name.
How interior designers usually bill
Interior designers bill either a percentage of project cost (typically 8–15%), a per-square-foot rate, or a fixed fee, paid in stages: booking, concept approval, drawings, execution and handover. Procurement is usually quoted separately.
The place of supply decides the tax type: Haryana to Punjab is an inter-state supply (IGST). See CGST vs SGST vs IGST for the full rules, or see how invoicing works in Haryana.
Interior Designer invoice FAQs
What GST rate applies to interior design services?
Interior design and decoration fees are taxed at 18% under SAC 998391. Goods you supply, such as furniture or lighting, are taxed at their own rates based on HSN.
Is a design-and-supply contract treated as one supply?
It can be treated as a composite or mixed supply, depending on how the work is contracted. The safer course for most freelancers is to show services and goods separately with the correct rates.
How do I invoice stage payments?
Raise a tax invoice for each stage when the stage is complete or the advance is received, referencing the total contract value and the stage percentage in the description.