Voice-over Invoice Format
A GST-ready invoice format for a freelance voice-over artist 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.
As a freelance voice-over artist in India, your work falls under SAC 999631 — "services of performing artists," which explicitly covers readers and narrators — and is taxed at 18% GST once you cross the ₹20 lakh registration threshold (₹10 lakh in special-category states). A clear voice-over invoice should separate the recording fee from usage/broadcast rights and spell out how retakes and pickups are billed, since production houses and ad agencies routinely deduct 10% TDS under Section 194J before paying you.
What a freelance voice-over artist typically bills for
| Item / service | Billed | Typical rate |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate/explainer video narration (finished audio) | per finished minute | ₹1,200 |
| E-learning / instructional module narration | per finished minute | ₹800 |
| TV/radio commercial voice-over (up to 30 sec spot) | per spot | ₹5,000 |
| IVR / on-hold phone prompts | per prompt/line | ₹250 |
| Audiobook / long-form narration | per finished hour | ₹3,500 |
| Broadcast/digital usage (buyout) rights | per campaign | ₹8,000 |
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 voice-over 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 999631.
Pick 18% GST, choose CGST+SGST or IGST, and download the PDF.
What a GST-compliant voice-over 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 (999631 for voice-over); 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. Standard practice is 50% advance to lock studio dates and 50% on delivery of final approved audio; agencies and production houses usually pay net 30–45 days and deduct 10% TDS under Section 194J. Include one or two rounds of minor retakes in the base fee and bill additional pickups or script changes separately.
Invoice format by profession
Voice-over invoice — frequently asked questions
What GST rate and SAC code do I put on a voice-over invoice?
Use SAC 999631 (services of performing artists, which covers readers/narrators) and charge 18% GST. Split it as 9% CGST + 9% SGST for clients in your own state, or 18% IGST for out-of-state and export clients. You only need to register and charge GST once your annual turnover crosses ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special-category states).
Should I charge separately for usage or broadcast rights?
Yes. The recording fee pays for your time in the booth; usage/buyout is a separate line for where and how long the audio airs (TV, radio, digital, or in-perpetuity). A voice for a national ad campaign commands a much higher usage fee than an internal training video, so list the recording fee and the usage/rights fee as distinct line items — both attract 18% GST under 999631.
How do I bill retakes, pickups and script changes?
State clearly on the invoice what is included — typically one or two rounds of minor corrections. Charge pickups caused by client-side script edits, added lines, or a change of tone/pace as a separate line item (often a per-word, per-line, or half-session studio rate), so scope creep does not eat into your original quote.
Why is 10% TDS deducted from my payment, and can I recover it?
Voice-over is treated as a professional service, so companies deduct 10% TDS under Section 194J on the fee (they deduct on the base amount, not the GST). It is not a loss — it is credited against your income tax. Reconcile it in your Form 26AS/AIS and claim it when filing your return; mentioning your PAN on the invoice ensures the credit reaches you.