Catering Invoice Format
A GST-ready invoice format for a caterer / catering business in India — with the correct SAC code, the right GST rate, and the line items you actually bill. Fill it in and download a PDF, free and no sign-up.
A catering invoice (or "bill") is the tax document you hand a client after a wedding, corporate event, or private function — it lists the menu packages, guest count (per-plate), service charges, and GST. For most caterers in India the correct classification is SAC 996334, and outdoor/event catering is taxed at 5% GST without input tax credit, not the 18% many assume. A clean, GST-ready invoice speeds up payment from banquet halls, event planners, and corporate clients who need it for their own books.
What a caterer / catering business typically bills for
| Item / service | Billed | Typical rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard veg plate menu (per guest) | plate | ₹450 |
| Premium/deluxe menu with live counters (per guest) | plate | ₹850 |
| Non-veg buffet menu (per guest) | plate | ₹650 |
| Welcome drinks & starters counter | counter | ₹8,000 |
| Service staff / waiters (bearers) | person/day | ₹900 |
| Crockery, cutlery & setup charges | event | ₹15,000 |
Indicative market rates — set your own. Add these as line items and the invoice totals GST for you.
Opens the free GST invoice generator, pre-filled with these items.
How to make a catering invoice
Your name / business, GSTIN if registered, and the client's details.
List what you delivered — use the items above as a starting point — under SAC 996334.
Pick 5% GST, choose CGST+SGST or IGST, and download the PDF.
What a GST-compliant catering invoice must include
A GST tax invoice should carry: your name, address and GSTIN; a unique invoice number and date; the client's name, address and GSTIN (if registered); a description of the service with its SAC code (996334 for catering); the taxable value; the GST rate and amount split as CGST + SGST (same state) or IGST (inter-state); the total in words; and your signature. Caterers typically collect a 30-50% advance to confirm the booking, with the balance due on or within a few days of the event. Final guest count (and per-plate billing) is locked 24-48 hours before the function. Corporate and banquet-tie-up clients often pay on 15-30 day credit terms.
Invoice format by profession
Catering invoice — frequently asked questions
What GST rate should a caterer charge — 5% or 18%?
For outdoor and event catering (weddings, parties, functions in marriage/banquet halls) the rate is 5% GST without input tax credit under SAC 996334. The 18% rate with ITC only applies when catering is supplied inside 'specified premises' — a hotel where any room tariff is Rs 7,500 or more per day. Most standalone caterers fall in the 5% bracket.
Which SAC code do I put on a catering invoice?
Use SAC 996334 — 'catering services in exhibition halls, events, marriage halls and other outdoor/indoor functions'. If you run a contract/canteen food service (e.g. office canteens on a contract), SAC 996337 may apply instead.
Can I claim input tax credit on my catering purchases?
No. Because outdoor catering is taxed at the concessional 5% rate, you cannot claim ITC on your inputs (raw material, rentals, staff, etc.). If your business genuinely operates from specified premises and charges 18%, ITC becomes available — but that is the exception, not the norm.
Do I need GST registration to run a catering business?
GST registration is mandatory once your annual turnover crosses Rs 20 lakh (Rs 10 lakh in special-category states). Below that you can invoice without charging GST, but many corporate and banquet clients prefer a GST-registered caterer so they get a proper tax invoice.