The basics
What is an influencer invoice?
An influencer invoice is the bill a creator sends a brand or agency after (or before) a paid collaboration. It lists the deliverables, the agreed fee, any GST, the amount due and how to pay.
Brands' finance teams can only release payment against a proper invoice. A clear one, with the right number, tax lines and PO reference, is the difference between being paid in 15 days and chasing for 90.
- Instagram and YouTube creatorsBilling brands for Reels, Stories, integrations and Shorts
- UGC creatorsBilling for videos, photos, raw footage and usage rights
- Talent managersRaising invoices on behalf of creators they represent
- Freelance editors and writersBilling creators or agencies for production work
Checklist
What to include in a creator invoice
Your details
Legal name, address, state, email, PAN and GSTIN if you are registered.
Client details
The brand or agency's legal name, billing address, state and GSTIN. Use the entity on the contract or PO.
Number & dates
A unique, sequential invoice number, the invoice date, due date and payment terms.
Deliverables
Each Reel, Story set, video, UGC asset or usage right on its own line with quantity, rate and SAC.
Tax lines
Taxable value, then CGST + SGST or IGST with rate and amount, and the place of supply.
Withholdings
TDS the client will deduct and any advance already received, so the net amount payable is clear.
Payment details
Account name, bank, account number, IFSC and UPI, or SWIFT/IBAN for foreign clients.
References
Campaign name, PO number and contract reference. Many brands reject invoices without a PO.
Step by step
How to create an influencer invoice in 6 steps
- Add your details. Name, address, state, PAN, GSTIN and an invoice number.
- Add the client. Copy the legal name and GSTIN from the brand's PO or contract.
- Add deliverables. Use quick-add for Reels, YouTube integrations, UGC and usage rights, then set quantities and rates.
- Set tax. Choose GST, your state and the place of supply. CGST/SGST or IGST is picked for you. Add TDS if the client deducts it.
- Add payment details. Bank, UPI or international details, plus notes and terms.
- Pick a design and download. Choose one of 8 themes, set your colour and download the PDF.
GST for creators
GST on influencer invoices, explained
Creators must register for GST once aggregate turnover from services crosses ₹20 lakh in a financial year (₹10 lakh in special category states). Registered creators usually charge 18% GST on brand promotion under SAC 998361.
Below the threshold, and if you are not registered, issue a plain invoice without GST: choose "No GST" in the tool. Do not show GST on an invoice if you do not have a GSTIN.
Barter collaborations (free products in exchange for content) can also have GST and income-tax consequences. Record them and ask your CA how to treat them.
| Situation | Invoice shows |
|---|---|
| Your state = place of supply | CGST 9% + SGST 9% |
| Different Indian states | IGST 18% |
| Foreign client, export under LUT | IGST 0% + LUT declaration |
| Not registered for GST | No GST; title "Invoice" |
TDS
How TDS works on influencer payments
TDS is deducted by the client when it pays you. It does not reduce your invoice value: the invoice shows the full total, then the TDS withheld and the net amount you will receive.
From 1 April 2026 the Income-tax Act, 2025 replaced the 1961 Act and consolidates TDS provisions in Section 393. Older invoices typically cited Section 194J (fees for professional or technical services, 10%), 194R (perquisites, including barter) or 194C (contracts, 1% or 2%). Which one applies depends on the contract, so confirm the rate and section with your client.
TDS is calculated on the value before GST. You claim it back against your own income tax, so keep Form 16A or the client's TDS certificate.
On your invoice
Total invoice value ₹86,140.00
Less: TDS 10% withheld by client −₹7,300.00
Net amount payable ₹78,840.00
Using the example below, before any advance.
Worked example
Influencer invoice example with GST and TDS
A Mumbai (Maharashtra) creator bills a Bengaluru (Karnataka) brand. Different states, so IGST applies. The brand deducts 10% TDS and paid a ₹20,000 advance.
| Item | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instagram Reel | 2 | ₹25,000.00 | ₹50,000.00 |
| Instagram Story set | 1 | ₹8,000.00 | ₹8,000.00 |
| Content usage rights (months) | 3 | ₹5,000.00 | ₹15,000.00 |
| Taxable value | ₹73,000.00 | ||
| IGST @ 18% | ₹13,140.00 | ||
| Total invoice value | ₹86,140.00 | ||
| Less: TDS 10% on ₹73,000 | −₹7,300.00 | ||
| Less: advance received | −₹20,000.00 | ||
| Net amount payable | ₹58,840.00 | ||
If both were in Maharashtra, the ₹13,140 would be split as CGST 9% ₹6,570 and SGST 9% ₹6,570. Figures calculated with this tool's engine.
International brands
Invoicing a foreign brand in USD, EUR or GBP
Choose the currency and set the place of supply to "Outside India". If you have filed a Letter of Undertaking (LUT), the invoice shows IGST at 0% with the declaration "Supply meant for export under LUT without payment of integrated tax" and your LUT ARN.
The tool never converts amounts with an assumed exchange rate. Invoice in the currency agreed in the contract, and add SWIFT/BIC or IBAN details for the payment.
- 8 currenciesINR, USD, EUR, GBP, AED, SGD, AUD, CAD
- Amount in wordsLakh/crore for INR, million for others
- Foreign tax IDsAdd the client's VAT or EIN
Quick add
Deliverables you can bill
Bill usage rights, whitelisting and exclusivity as separate lines with a duration. It shows the brand what they are paying for and makes renewals easy to invoice.
8 designs
Invoice templates that match your brand
Influencer Minimal
Clean lines and a coral accent.
Modern Corporate
Navy header band for agency billing.
Elegant Editorial
Centred serif title, quiet table.
Bold Creator
Large colour block and boxed table.
Premium Dark Accent
Dark header with a gold accent.
Clean Blue Business
Top stripe and a tinted title box.
Warm Neutral
Soft paper tone and serif headings.
UGC Studio
Side colour bar for UGC portfolios.
Invoice numbering and document types
Use one continuous series per financial year, for example INV-2026-27/001. Under GST an invoice number can have up to 16 characters, using letters, numbers, hyphens and slashes, and must be unique for the year. Signed-in users get the next number suggested and a warning if a number is already used.
- Tax InvoiceGST-registered creators charging GST
- InvoiceCreators not registered for GST
- Proforma InvoiceA quote before work starts; not a demand for payment
- Bill of SupplyRegistered suppliers of exempt services or composition taxpayers
Avoid delays
Common invoice mistakes that delay payment
Wrong legal entity
Billing the brand name instead of the company on the PO. Copy it exactly.
Missing PO or GSTIN
Finance teams cannot book the invoice. Ask for both before you invoice.
IGST vs CGST/SGST
Charging the wrong type means the brand cannot claim input credit, and the invoice comes back.
Subtracting TDS from the total
The invoice value includes the full fee. Show TDS only as a withholding.
Reusing numbers
Each invoice needs a unique number. Never restart the series mid-year.
Vague descriptions
"Promotion" is not enough. Write "2 × Instagram Reels, Diwali campaign, 1–31 Oct".
Your data
Privacy: what we store
The PDF is created in your browser. When you download or open it, InfluencerHai stores a copy of the invoice, including your details, your client's details, line items, totals and the payment details you entered. Only InfluencerHai administrators can see these records.
If you sign in and press Save, the invoice is stored privately in your account. We never email, publish or share your invoices, and analytics never include invoice contents, amounts or payment details.
- No sign-up neededDownload straight away
- Admin-only recordsCopies are visible only to InfluencerHai admins
- Deletion on requestAsk us to remove your invoice records
FAQ
Influencer invoice FAQs
Is this influencer invoice generator free?
Yes. You can create, preview and download invoices as PDF without an account, an email address or a watermark on your content. Every PDF carries a small one-line footer saying it was generated through www.influencerhai.com.
Do I need to sign up to download the invoice?
No. You can create and download invoices without an account. InfluencerHai keeps a copy of each invoice you download. Signing in lets you manage, edit and duplicate your own saved invoices.
Should an influencer charge GST?
A creator must register for GST once aggregate turnover from services crosses ₹20 lakh in a financial year (₹10 lakh in special category states), and registered creators charge GST on taxable supplies, usually at 18% under SAC 998361 for advertising and promotion services. Below the threshold you can issue an invoice without GST. Confirm your own position with a tax professional.
When do I charge CGST + SGST and when IGST?
If your registered state and the place of supply are the same, the invoice shows CGST and SGST (9% + 9% at an 18% rate). If they are different states, it shows IGST at 18%. The generator picks this automatically from the two states, and you can override it.
How is TDS shown on an influencer invoice?
TDS is deducted by the client from the payment; it does not reduce your invoice value. The invoice shows the full total, then "Less: TDS withheld by client" and the net amount payable. From 1 April 2026 the Income-tax Act, 2025 consolidates TDS in Section 393; earlier invoices usually cited Section 194J or 194R. Check the rate and section with your client.
Can I invoice a foreign brand in USD?
Yes. Choose the currency and set the place of supply to Outside India. For an export of services under a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) the invoice shows zero IGST with the LUT declaration. The tool never converts currencies with an assumed exchange rate.
Is my bank information stored?
Yes. When you download or open an invoice PDF, InfluencerHai stores a copy of the invoice including the bank, UPI and other payment details you entered. Only site administrators can see it, it is never shared, and it is never included in analytics. Contact us to have your records deleted.
Is this invoice legally valid?
The generator includes the fields a GST tax invoice normally needs (supplier and recipient details, GSTIN, invoice number and date, SAC, taxable value, tax rates and amounts, place of supply and signature). You are responsible for the accuracy of what you enter; this tool is not tax or legal advice.
