GST invoice template for social media managers
A social media manager's invoice has a trap that most templates ignore: ad spend. When you run paid campaigns, the client's money flows through your account to Meta or Google, and how you show it on the invoice decides whether you pay GST on rupees that were never yours.
This template separates three things: your management retainer, creative production, and ad spend billed as a pass-through at actuals. Services are billed under SAC 998361 (advertising services) at 18%. The layout lets you attach the platform invoice for the pass-through so the client's auditor sees the full picture.
Example social media manager invoice
Loop & Learn Digital bills UrbanBites Cloud Kitchens for ₹53,000.00 before tax. The seller is in Chandigarh and the client is in Haryana, so the whole ₹9,540.00 of GST is charged as IGST. The invoice total is ₹62,540.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social media management retainer – November 2026 (20 posts, 8 stories, 4 reels) | 998361 | 1 | 38,000.00 | 38,000.00 | 18% | 44,840.00 |
| 2 | Paid campaign management fee (15% of spend) | 998361 | 1 | 6,000.00 | 6,000.00 | 18% | 7,080.00 |
| 3 | Reel shoot and production, half day | 998361 | 1 | 9,000.00 | 9,000.00 | 18% | 10,620.00 |
| GST slab | Taxable | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | 53,000.00 | 9,540.00 |
Notes: Ad spend of ₹40,000 is billed directly by Meta to the client's ad account and is not part of this invoice.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
SAC codes social media managers commonly use
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 998361 | Advertising services (social media management, campaign management) |
| 998365 | Sale of internet advertising space, if you resell ad inventory |
| 998391 | Specialty design services, for creatives billed separately |
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 social media manager invoice
- Keep ad spend off your fee. Show ad spend as a separate reimbursement line with the platform's invoice attached. Meta and Google bill the client's account or yours, and the documentation decides who owes GST on it.
- Define the retainer scope. "20 posts, 8 stories, 4 reels, weekly report" on the invoice is a promise you can point to. Without it, retainers slowly grow.
- Report with the invoice. Attach a one-page monthly report. Clients who see results pay faster, and the invoice becomes an easy approval instead of a debate.
- Bill ahead of the month. Retainers should be invoiced at the start of the month they cover. Billing in arrears hands the client an automatic 30-day interest-free loan.
How social media managers usually bill
Monthly retainers dominate this trade, usually ₹15,000 to ₹1,50,000 depending on channels and volume. Paid media is billed as ad spend plus a management fee of 10–20%, or as a flat fee. The retainer is invoiced in advance and ad spend at actuals.
The place of supply decides the tax type: Chandigarh to Haryana is an inter-state supply (IGST). See CGST vs SGST vs IGST for the full rules, or see how invoicing works across Indian states.
Social Media Manager invoice FAQs
How should I invoice ad spend on a GST invoice?
Treat it as a pass-through only when you act as a pure agent: the platform bills the client's own ad account, you do not take title and you show the amount at actuals. If you buy the ads in your own name and resell, GST is generally due on the full amount.
What is the GST rate on social media management?
Social media and digital marketing services are taxed at 18%. They are normally billed under SAC 998361.
Can I bill a foreign brand for managing their India pages?
Often yes as an export of services, provided the client is outside India, the service is not provided within India for a recipient located there, and you receive payment in convertible foreign exchange. Take advice for each arrangement.