Digital Marketing Invoice Format
A GST-ready invoice format for a digital marketing agency / freelancer 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 digital marketing invoice in India should clearly separate your agency retainer/service fees from any ad spend (media budget) you pass through, because GST treatment differs for each. List SAC code 998361 (Advertising Services) with 18% GST on your service fees, add both your and the client's GSTIN, and show a HSN/SAC-wise tax summary. Since most agencies work on monthly retainers with an advance, mark clearly whether the invoice is an advance/proforma or a final tax invoice.
What a digital marketing agency / freelancer typically bills for
| Item / service | Billed | Typical rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly SEO retainer (on-page, technical, link building & reporting) | per month | ₹25,000 |
| Social media management (content calendar, 12-15 posts + engagement) — per platform | per month | ₹18,000 |
| Google Ads / Meta Ads campaign management fee | per month | ₹20,000 |
| Ad spend / media budget (pass-through, billed separately) | per month | ₹50,000 |
| Website landing page design & development | per project | ₹35,000 |
| Content writing / blog articles (SEO-optimised) | per article | ₹1,500 |
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 digital marketing 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 998361.
Pick 18% GST, choose CGST+SGST or IGST, and download the PDF.
What a GST-compliant digital marketing 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 (998361 for digital marketing); 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. Most agencies work on monthly retainers billed in advance, typically taking 50% advance to start a project and the balance on delivery, with retainers invoiced at the start of each month and Net 7-15 day terms.
Invoice format by profession
Digital Marketing invoice — frequently asked questions
Should I show ad spend (Google/Meta budget) on the same invoice as my service fee?
Best practice is to separate them. Your management/service fee is your taxable supply under SAC 998361 at 18% GST. If you merely pass through the client's ad budget, keep it as a distinct line (ideally a pure agent/reimbursement or a separate invoice); if you bill the ad spend as part of your own supply, 18% GST applies to the full value. Keep the platform's billing receipts as backup.
What SAC code and GST rate do I put on a digital marketing invoice?
Use SAC 998361 (Advertising Services) for full-service agency work — strategy, creative, campaign setup, optimisation and reporting — at 18% GST. If you are only reselling internet ad inventory/space, that falls under SAC 998365 (still 18%). Most agencies bill under 998361.
How do I invoice foreign clients paying in USD — do I charge GST?
If it qualifies as export of service (recipient outside India, payment in convertible foreign exchange, and place of supply outside India), you can invoice with 0% GST under an LUT (Letter of Undertaking) without paying IGST, or pay IGST and claim a refund. Mention 'Supply meant for export under LUT without payment of IGST' on the invoice and keep your FIRC/bank realisation proof.
Do I need to raise a proforma invoice for the advance retainer?
For an advance, issue a proforma or advance-receipt voucher — it is not a tax invoice and does not let the client claim ITC. Once the service is delivered (or the month is billed), raise the final GST tax invoice so the client can claim input tax credit. Never label a proforma as 'Tax Invoice'.