GST invoice template for translators and interpreters
Translators price by units that other freelancers never see: source words, target words, pages, minutes of audio, hours of interpreting. Clients often want the invoice to repeat the unit and the language pair exactly as it was agreed, because translation agencies reconcile them against their own project sheets.
This template lists each language pair with its word count and rate, plus lines for certified translation and for interpreting sessions. It uses SAC 998395 (translation and interpretation services) at 18%, and leaves room for a project code, which agencies and legal clients nearly always ask for.
Example translator invoice
Lingua Bridge Translations bills Orion Legal Services LLP for ₹18,740.00 before tax. The seller is in West Bengal and the client is in Delhi, so the whole ₹3,373.20 of GST is charged as IGST. The invoice total is ₹22,113.00.
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable | GST | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English → Bengali legal translation, 6,400 source words (Project OL-2291) | 998395 | 6400 | 1.60 | 10,240.00 | 18% | 12,083.20 |
| 2 | Certified translation fee, 3 documents | 998395 | 3 | 500.00 | 1,500.00 | 18% | 1,770.00 |
| 3 | Court-side interpreting, half-day | 998395 | 1 | 7,000.00 | 7,000.00 | 18% | 8,260.00 |
| GST slab | Taxable | IGST |
|---|---|---|
| 18% | 18,740.00 | 3,373.20 |
Notes: Minimum charge of ₹800 per document applies. Notary charges billed at actuals.
Terms: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date.
SAC codes translators commonly use
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 998395 | Translation and interpretation services |
| 998399 | Other professional services, e.g. localisation consulting |
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 translator invoice
- Print the language pair and word count. "English → Hindi, 4,200 source words" ends any later debate about volume. Note whether the count was the source or the target text.
- Price certification separately. Certified or notarised translations carry responsibility and sometimes cost (stamp paper, notary fees). Show them as separate lines with receipts for out-of-pocket items.
- Add a project code. Agencies match invoices to project IDs. A missing code is the most common reason a translation invoice sits unpaid for weeks.
- Mention a minimum fee. Short documents cost the same time to set up as long ones. State a minimum charge on the invoice and in your rate card.
How translators usually bill
Per-word rates range from about ₹0.80 for common pairs to far higher for specialist or rare languages. Interpreters bill per hour or per half-day. Agencies often pay 30–60 days after invoice, so ask for terms in writing before starting.
The place of supply decides the tax type: West Bengal to Delhi is an inter-state supply (IGST). See CGST vs SGST vs IGST for the full rules, or see how invoicing works in West Bengal.
Translator invoice FAQs
What is the SAC code for translation services?
Translation and interpretation sit under SAC 998395, taxed at 18%. If you work through an agency, you still issue your own invoice to them under the same code.
Do I need GST if all my clients are agencies abroad?
Your turnover from export of services counts toward the ₹20 lakh threshold, so you may need to register. After registering you can bill foreign clients without GST under a Letter of Undertaking.
Can I invoice in a foreign currency?
Yes, but a tax invoice for GST purposes must show the value in rupees too. Add the exchange rate used and the date in the notes so the figures can be reproduced.