Social Media Management Invoice Format
A GST-ready invoice format for a social media manager / 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 social media manager's invoice in India should clearly separate your service fee from any ad spend you pass on to the client, and quote SAC 998361 (Advertising Services) with 18% GST if you are GST-registered. Because most SMMs work on monthly retainers with an upfront advance, your invoice should show the billing period, the platforms/deliverables covered, any advance already collected, and your GSTIN — so clients can claim input tax credit and you stay audit-ready.
What a social media manager / freelancer typically bills for
| Item / service | Billed | Typical rate |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly social media management retainer (per platform — content, scheduling, community management) | per platform / month | ₹20,000 |
| Reel / short-form video editing (shooting brief, edit, captions, hooks) | per reel | ₹1,500 |
| Static post / carousel creative design | per post | ₹500 |
| Monthly content strategy & content calendar | per month | ₹8,000 |
| Paid ad campaign management fee (Meta / Google Ads setup & optimisation) | per month (or 15% of ad spend) | ₹12,000 |
| Monthly analytics & performance report | per report | ₹3,000 |
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 social media management 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 social media management 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 social media management); 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 social media managers work on a monthly retainer billed in advance, commonly 50-100% upfront before the month begins, with the balance and any variable deliverables invoiced at month-end (Net 7-15 days). Ad spend is usually billed or reimbursed separately from your management fee.
Invoice format by profession
Social Media Management invoice — frequently asked questions
Should I include the client's Meta/Google ad spend in my invoice, and does it attract 18% GST?
If you pay the platforms yourself and recharge the client, that ad spend generally becomes part of your taxable value and GST applies on the whole amount — unless you bill it as a 'pure agent' (client's name on the platform invoice, exact reimbursement, shown as a separate line). The cleanest approach is to keep your management fee and ad-spend reimbursement on separate lines so GST is charged correctly and the client can see what went to the platforms versus what is your fee.
Which SAC code should I use — 998361 or 998365?
Use 998361 (Advertising Services) for managing accounts, creating content and running campaigns for clients — this is the standard code for social media management. 998365 (Sale of internet advertising space) is meant for reselling ad space, not for the creative and management work most SMMs do. Both are taxed at 18%.
I earn under ₹20 lakh a year — do I still need a GSTIN and to charge GST on my invoices?
No. GST registration is mandatory only once your annual turnover crosses ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in some special-category states). Below that you can issue a simple invoice with no GST and no GSTIN. But if you serve agencies or larger brands, many will ask for a GSTIN so they can claim input tax credit — voluntary registration can win you those clients.
I collect a retainer advance before the month starts — when do I charge GST on it?
For services, GST is due on advances the moment you receive them. If you're GST-registered, issue a receipt voucher for the advance and pay GST in that month, then adjust it against the final tax invoice for the completed work. This is why many SMMs simply issue the full tax invoice at the start of the retainer period once the advance is received.