Translation Invoice Format
A GST-ready invoice format for a freelance translator 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.
Freelance translators and interpreters in India bill under SAC 998395 ("Translation and interpretation services"), taxed at 18% GST once your turnover crosses the Rs. 20 lakh registration threshold (Rs. 10 lakh in special-category states). A big share of translation work is for overseas clients, and here the invoice rules change: when you translate for a client abroad and are paid in convertible foreign currency, it counts as an export of service (zero-rated) — you charge no GST but must invoice under a LUT or claim a refund. This page gives you a clean, GST-ready translation invoice for both domestic and export work.
What a freelance translator typically bills for
| Item / service | Billed | Typical rate |
|---|---|---|
| Document translation (general), English to Hindi — per word of source text | per word | ₹1.5 |
| Technical/legal/medical translation (specialised) — per word of source text | per word | ₹3 |
| Certified translation with translator's declaration/stamp (per standard page ~250 words) | per page | ₹600 |
| Proofreading & editing of existing translation — per word | per word | ₹0.75 |
| Consecutive interpretation (conference/court/business meeting) | per day | ₹8,000 |
| Urgent / same-day turnaround surcharge | percentage | ₹25 |
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 translation 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 998395.
Pick 18% GST, choose CGST+SGST or IGST, and download the PDF.
What a GST-compliant translation 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 (998395 for translation); 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. Domestic clients typically pay Net 15-30 days from invoice; agencies often run 30-45 day cycles. For direct and overseas clients, a 30-50% advance before starting a large project is standard, with the balance on delivery. Foreign-client payments arrive via bank wire, Wise, or PayPal in foreign currency — retain the FIRC/FIRA as proof of export.
Invoice format by profession
Translation invoice — frequently asked questions
What GST rate and SAC code do I put on a translation invoice?
Use SAC 998395 (Translation and interpretation services) and charge 18% GST — split as 9% CGST + 9% SGST when the client is in your state, or 18% IGST when the client is in another state. This same rate covers document translation, subtitling, and interpretation.
Do I charge GST when I translate for a client outside India?
No — if the client is located abroad and you are paid in convertible foreign currency, it is an export of service and is zero-rated (0% GST). You can either invoice under a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) without charging GST, or pay IGST and claim a refund. Keep the FIRC/bank realisation certificate as export proof, and still show SAC 998395 on the invoice.
Do I even need GST registration as a freelance translator?
Only once your aggregate turnover crosses Rs. 20 lakh in a financial year (Rs. 10 lakh in special-category/North-Eastern states). Below that you can invoice without GST. Note: export of services counts toward turnover, and many translators register voluntarily to file LUTs and claim input-tax refunds on export work.
Should I bill per word, per page, or per hour?
Per word of the source text is the industry standard for translation (typically Rs. 1-3/word depending on language pair and subject), while certified work is often per standard page and interpretation is charged per hour or per day. Always state the rate basis and word/page count on the invoice so the client can verify the total.