---
title: "GST Invoice Format: Every Field Under Rule 46"
canonical: https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format
language: en
updated: 2026-10-09
content: full
---

# GST invoice format

**What is the GST invoice format?** A GST tax invoice must carry the particulars in rule 46 of the CGST Rules: supplier's name, address and GSTIN; a consecutive number of up to 16 characters unique for the financial year; date; recipient's name, address and GSTIN; HSN or SAC; description, quantity and value; taxable value; GST rate and amount for each tax; place of supply for inter-state supplies; reverse charge; and a signature. E-invoicing businesses add the IRN and QR code.

- The law fixes the contents, not the layout: any design that shows every rule 46 field is valid.
- CGST plus SGST when the place of supply is in your state; IGST when it is in another state.
- HSN digits: 4 on B2B invoices up to ₹5 crore turnover, 6 above it.
- From 22 September 2025 most rates are 5% or 18%, with 40% for a short list.

Free online tool: https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format (create on screen, no account needed).

## GST invoice format, field by field (rule 46)

Section 31 of the CGST Act says a registered person supplying taxable goods or services must issue a tax invoice, and rule 46 lists what it must contain. There is no government template: a handwritten bill book, an Excel sheet and software output are equally valid if every field is there.

![Example GST tax invoice SPI/26-27/0412 from Sabarmati Packaging Industries Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad, to Tapi Textiles Pvt Ltd, Surat, both in Gujarat, for 600 rolls of BOPP tape and 150 rolls of stretch film with HSN codes, CGST and SGST at 9% each, total 84,606 rupees, with numbered notes on the rule 46 fields.](https://luckpanda.app/img/guide/en--gst-invoice-format--gst-tax-invoice.svg)

*An intra-state GST tax invoice with every rule 46 field. Both parties are in Gujarat (24), so the 18% rate splits into CGST and SGST.*

1. **"Tax invoice"**: tells the buyer it supports input tax credit.
2. **Rule 46(b)**: consecutive, up to 16 characters, unique for the financial year.
3. **Rule 46(c)**: date of issue.
4. **Rule 46(n)**: place of supply with state name; mandatory for inter-state supplies, useful on all.
5. **Rule 46(p)**: whether tax is payable on reverse charge.
6. **Rule 46(a)**: supplier's name, address and GSTIN.
7. **Rule 46(d)**: recipient's name, address and GSTIN.
8. **Rule 46(g)–(k)**: HSN, description, quantity and unit, value and taxable value.
9. **Rule 46(l)–(m)**: rate and amount of each tax, shown separately.
10. **Rule 46(q)**: signature or digital signature.

| Rule 46 | Field | What to enter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| (a) | Supplier | Name, address and GSTIN |
| (b) | Invoice number | Consecutive serial number, up to 16 characters (letters, digits, hyphen, slash), unique for the financial year; one or more series |
| (c) | Date | Date of issue |
| (d) | Registered recipient | Name, address and GSTIN or UIN |
| (e), (f) | Unregistered recipient | Name, address, delivery address, state name and code when the taxable value is ₹50,000 or more, or when the customer asks |
| (g) | HSN or SAC | 4, 6 or 8 digits (see below) |
| (h), (i) | Description, quantity, unit | Goods with a unit or Unique Quantity Code such as NOS, KGS, MTR |
| (j), (k) | Value and taxable value | Total value, then the taxable value after discount or abatement |
| (l), (m) | Tax rate and amount | CGST, SGST or UTGST, IGST and any cess, each separately |
| (n) | Place of supply | State name (and code) for inter-state supplies |
| (o) | Delivery address | If different from the place of supply |
| (p) | Reverse charge | Yes or no |
| (q) | Signature | Signature or digital signature of the supplier or authorised person |
| (r) | QR code with IRN | Only on e-invoices registered on the IRP |
| (s) | E-invoice declaration | For a business above the e-invoice threshold that is exempt from it: a declaration that it is not required to issue e-invoices |

## How to fill in this GST invoice format

1. **Check your business details** Your legal name, address and GSTIN as registered. The state code in the GSTIN is your state for the CGST/SGST or IGST decision.
2. **Add the buyer** Name, address and GSTIN for a registered buyer. The place of supply follows the buyer's state; change it if the goods are delivered to another state.
3. **Add each line with HSN or SAC** Code, description, quantity, unit, rate and the GST rate. The editor splits the tax into CGST and SGST or shows IGST, line by line.
4. **Add reverse charge, terms and notes** Note "Tax payable on reverse charge: No" (or Yes), the payment terms and any delivery address that differs from the place of supply.
5. **Sign in to issue it** Creating and downloading the PDF here are free; the free PDF carries a small LuckPanda footer. Signing in issues the invoice with the next consecutive number, posts it to your books and makes it available for GSTR-1; issuing and clean PDFs without our branding need the Sales module, e-invoice preparation the Compliance module.

## Worked example: the same goods within Gujarat and to Maharashtra

**Intra-state: Ahmedabad to Surat, CGST and SGST**

| Item | Qty | Rate | Taxable value | Tax |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BOPP packing tape, 48 mm x 65 m | 600 | ₹42.00 | ₹25,200.00 | ₹4,536.00 |
| LLDPE stretch film, 23 micron | 150 | ₹310.00 | ₹46,500.00 | ₹8,370.00 |
| Taxable value |  |  | ₹71,700.00 |  |
| CGST 9% |  |  |  | ₹6,453.00 |
| SGST 9% |  |  |  | ₹6,453.00 |
| Total |  |  |  | ₹84,606.00 |

Total ₹84,606.00, in words "Rupees eighty-four thousand six hundred and six only". Tapi Textiles sees the invoice in its GSTR-2B once Sabarmati files GSTR-1 and claims ₹12,906 of credit.

**Inter-state: Ahmedabad to Bhiwandi, IGST**

| Item | Qty | Rate | Taxable value | Tax |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| BOPP packing tape, 48 mm x 65 m | 600 | ₹42.00 | ₹25,200.00 | ₹4,536.00 |
| LLDPE stretch film, 23 micron | 150 | ₹310.00 | ₹46,500.00 | ₹8,370.00 |
| Taxable value |  |  | ₹71,700.00 |  |
| IGST 18% |  |  |  | ₹12,906.00 |
| Total |  |  |  | ₹84,606.00 |

Same taxable value and the same total; the tax is one IGST line instead of two halves, and the invoice must name the place of supply, Maharashtra (27).

### Round-off and amount in words

Neither is in rule 46. Section 170 of the CGST Act rounds tax, interest and penalties you pay to the government to the nearest rupee; it does not apply to invoice totals. Many businesses still round the grand total to the nearest rupee with a separate "Round off" line, and write the total in words because words are harder to alter. Keep each tax amount exact to the paisa, so your GSTR-1 matches the buyer's credit.

**A counter sale with paise: before round-off**

| Item | Qty | Rate | Taxable value | Tax |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Packing tape, 48 mm, single roll | 3 | ₹49.50 | ₹148.50 | ₹26.73 |
| Taxable value |  |  | ₹148.50 |  |
| CGST 9% |  |  |  | ₹13.37 |
| SGST 9% |  |  |  | ₹13.36 |
| Total |  |  |  | ₹175.23 |

A total of ₹175.23 is usually printed as ₹175.00 with a round-off line of −₹0.23. The CGST and SGST stay at their exact amounts.

## HSN and SAC codes: how many digits

| Aggregate turnover in the previous financial year | B2B invoices | B2C invoices |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Up to ₹5 crore | 4 digits | Optional |
| More than ₹5 crore | 6 digits | 6 digits |
| Specified chemicals (Notification 90/2020-Central Tax) | 8 digits, whatever the turnover | 8 digits |

The digit rules come from Notification 78/2020-Central Tax, in force since 1 April 2021. Services use SAC codes from chapter 99 in the same way (998314 for IT design services, for example). Using more digits than required is always allowed, and e-invoices need at least 6.

## Which GST document to issue

| Document | When | Rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tax invoice | A registered supplier making a taxable supply | Section 31, rule 46 |
| Bill of supply | Composition taxpayers, and supplies of exempt goods or services; no GST shown | Rule 49 |
| Invoice-cum-bill of supply | Taxable and exempt supplies to an unregistered person on one document | Rule 46A |
| Export invoice | Exports and supplies to SEZs, endorsed "SUPPLY MEANT FOR EXPORT/SUPPLY TO SEZ UNIT OR SEZ DEVELOPER FOR AUTHORISED OPERATIONS" on payment of IGST, or under bond or LUT without it, with the country of destination | Rule 46, proviso |
| Revised invoice | A new registrant re-invoicing supplies made between the effective date of registration and the date of the certificate | Section 31(3)(a), rule 53(1) |
| Receipt voucher | An advance received for services | Rule 50 |
| Credit or debit note | Reducing or increasing an invoice already issued | Section 34, rule 53(1A) |
| Delivery challan | Goods moved without a sale: job work, approval, branch transfer | Rule 55 |

Not registered at all? Then you cannot charge GST or title anything "Tax invoice": issue a plain invoice or [bill](https://luckpanda.app/templates/bill-format). Composition dealers issue a [bill of supply](https://luckpanda.app/templates/bill-of-supply-format).

## B2B and B2C invoices, and place of supply

- **B2B (registered buyer).** The buyer's GSTIN is essential: without it the invoice does not reach their GSTR-2B and they cannot claim credit. Each invoice is reported individually in GSTR-1 table 4.
- **B2C (unregistered buyer).** No GSTIN. Below ₹50,000 the buyer's name and address are optional unless they ask; at ₹50,000 or more, show the name, delivery address and state.
- **B2C large.** Inter-state supplies to unregistered buyers above ₹1 lakh per invoice are reported invoice by invoice in GSTR-1 table 5 (rule 59(4); the limit was ₹2.5 lakh before August 2024). Other B2C sales go in as a state-wise summary.
- **Small B2C sales.** If a supply is under ₹200, the buyer is unregistered and does not want an invoice, you may issue one consolidated tax invoice for all such sales at the end of the day.

### CGST plus SGST, or IGST

Compare the state of your registration with the **place of supply**. Same state: CGST and SGST, half the rate each (UTGST instead of SGST in a union territory without a legislature). Different state: IGST at the full rate. The place of supply is, broadly: for goods, where the movement ends; for services to a registered buyer, the buyer's location; for services to an unregistered buyer, their address on record; for hotels and work on immovable property, where the property is.

## E-invoicing, IRN and QR codes

- **Who must e-invoice.** Businesses whose aggregate turnover has exceeded ₹5 crore in any financial year from 2017-18 (since 1 August 2023). It applies to B2B invoices, exports, and credit and debit notes. Some classes are exempt whatever their turnover, including SEZ units, insurers, banks and other financial institutions, goods transport agencies, passenger transport and cinema admissions, and government departments and local authorities.
- **How.** You report the invoice to an Invoice Registration Portal (IRP), which returns a 64-character IRN and a signed QR code; both are printed on the invoice (rule 46(r)). If you are required to e-invoice, an invoice issued without an IRN is not treated as an invoice at all (rule 48(5)), so the buyer cannot claim credit on it.
- **The 30-day rule.** From 1 April 2025, businesses with aggregate turnover of ₹10 crore or more cannot report an invoice, credit note or debit note to the IRP more than 30 days after its date.
- **Cancelling.** An IRN can be cancelled on the IRP only within 24 hours. After that, correct the invoice with a credit note.
- **Exempt but above the threshold.** Print the rule 46(s) declaration that you are not required to issue e-invoices.
- **B2C dynamic QR.** Businesses with aggregate turnover above ₹500 crore must also print a dynamic QR code (for payment) on invoices to unregistered buyers (Notification 14/2020-Central Tax). This is not an IRN; B2C invoices are not sent to the IRP.

In LuckPanda, the Compliance module builds the e-invoice JSON from an issued invoice, checks it field by field, and records the IRN and signed QR you get back from the portal so they print on the invoice. Direct IRN generation through a GST provider is not connected yet.

## Time limits, copies and signature

- **When to issue.** Goods: before or at the time of removal, or of delivery where there is no movement (section 31(1)). Services: within 30 days of the supply, or 45 days for insurers, banks and financial institutions (rule 47).
- **Copies.** Goods: three, marked "Original for recipient", "Duplicate for transporter" and "Triplicate for supplier". Services: two, "Original for recipient" and "Duplicate for supplier" (rule 48). These copy rules do not apply to an e-invoice registered on the IRP (rule 48(6)).
- **Signature.** Signature or digital signature of the supplier or an authorised representative (rule 46(q)). It is not required on an electronic invoice issued in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- **Numbering.** You may run several series (per branch, per document type), each consecutive and unique for the financial year. Year prefixes such as SPI/26-27/0412 keep numbers unique after the April restart.

## GST rates on invoices after 22 September 2025

The rate rationalisation recommended by the 56th GST Council took effect on **22 September 2025** (Notification 9/2025-Central Tax (Rate) for goods). Most goods and services are now at **5% or 18%**, with **40%** for a short list of luxury and demerit goods, plus special low rates for items such as gold. The 12% and 28% slabs no longer apply to most items; some tobacco products stayed on their earlier rates and cess for the time being.

For supplies that straddle a rate change, section 14 of the CGST Act decides the rate by the **two of three events** that fall on the same side of the change date: the supply, the invoice and the payment. Goods delivered on 18 September 2025 with the invoice issued the same day carry the old rate even if paid in October; goods delivered and invoiced after 22 September carry the new rate even if the advance was paid earlier.

> **Credit notes for older invoices** A credit note against an invoice issued before the change reverses the tax at the rate on that invoice. The [credit note format](https://luckpanda.app/templates/credit-note-format) page covers it.

## GST invoice format in Excel or Word

Most "bill format in Excel" searches end in a sheet like this. If you keep one, lay out the item table so the GST type follows the state codes, and round per line.

| Column | Content | Formula or rule |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A–C | S. no., description, HSN/SAC | HSN as text, so leading zeros survive |
| D–F | Qty, unit, rate | Unit as a UQC: NOS, KGS, MTR, LTR… |
| G | Discount | Before tax, per line |
| H | Taxable value | =ROUND(D*F - G, 2) |
| I | GST % | 5, 18 or 40 (or the special rate) |
| J | IGST | =IF(seller state = place of supply, 0, ROUND(H*I/100, 2)) |
| K, L | CGST, SGST | =IF(seller state = place of supply, ROUND(H*I/200, 2), 0) each |
| M | Line total | =H+J+K+L |

Spreadsheet invoices fail in predictable ways: two people issue the same number from copies of one file, a copied sheet keeps the last buyer's GSTIN, the IGST and CGST columns are swapped by hand, and there is no record to build GSTR-1 from. Word templates add arithmetic errors. The editor above takes the regime from the two GSTINs and the place of supply, and numbers invoices in one series once you sign in.

## Mistakes that cost your buyer input tax credit

- **Wrong or missing buyer GSTIN.** The invoice never reaches the buyer's GSTR-2B. Check it with a [GSTIN checker](https://luckpanda.app/tools/gstin-checker) before you issue.
- **IGST on an intra-state supply, or CGST and SGST on an inter-state one.** Paying the wrong tax does not count as paying the right one; you pay again and claim a refund.
- **Numbers that repeat or skip.** Gaps and duplicates are the first thing an officer checks against GSTR-1.
- **Too few HSN digits.** Six above ₹5 crore turnover, on every invoice.
- **No IRN when e-invoicing applies,** or an invoice reported to the IRP after 30 days when turnover is ₹10 crore or more.
- **Old rates after 22 September 2025.** Billing 12% or 28% on goods that moved to 5% or 18%.
- **Leaving it out of GSTR-1.** The buyer cannot claim credit for an invoice you have not reported.

## Key terms

**Tax invoice**: The GST document a registered supplier issues for a taxable supply (section 31, rule 46).

**Place of supply**: The state where a supply is taxed; it decides CGST plus SGST or IGST.

**HSN / SAC**: Harmonised System codes for goods, and service accounting codes for services.

**IRN**: Invoice Reference Number: the 64-character hash the IRP returns for an e-invoice.

**Aggregate turnover (AATO)**: All-India turnover under one PAN, measured per financial year; it sets the HSN and e-invoice thresholds.

**B2C large**: An inter-state invoice to an unregistered buyer above ₹1 lakh, reported invoice-wise in GSTR-1 table 5.

## Questions people ask

### How many HSN digits must I show?

With aggregate turnover up to ₹5 crore in the previous year, 4 digits on B2B invoices and optional on B2C. Above ₹5 crore, 6 digits on all invoices. Some chemicals need 8 digits whatever the turnover. Services use SAC codes the same way.

### How long can the invoice number be?

Up to 16 characters, using letters, digits, hyphens and slashes, consecutive and unique for the financial year. A year prefix such as INV/26-27/0001 keeps numbers unique after the April restart.

### When do I need e-invoicing?

When your aggregate turnover has exceeded ₹5 crore in any year since 2017-18, for B2B invoices, exports, and credit and debit notes. The IRP returns an IRN and signed QR code to print. LuckPanda prepares the e-invoice JSON and records the IRN; it does not generate IRNs directly yet.

### How many copies of a GST invoice are needed?

For goods, three: original for the recipient, duplicate for the transporter and triplicate for the supplier. For services, two: original for the recipient and duplicate for the supplier.

### Is a signature required?

Yes, the signature or digital signature of the supplier or an authorised representative, except on an electronic invoice issued in accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000.

### Is the amount in words mandatory on a GST invoice?

No. Rule 46 does not list it. It is common practice because words are harder to alter than figures, and many buyers expect it.

### Should a GST invoice total be rounded off?

It may be, but the law does not require it. Round the grand total with a separate round-off line if you like, and keep CGST, SGST and IGST exact to the paisa.

### What is the difference between a tax invoice and a bill of supply?

A tax invoice charges GST and lets a registered buyer claim credit. A bill of supply is issued by composition taxpayers and for exempt supplies; it shows no GST.

### What is the time limit to issue a GST invoice?

For goods, before or at the time of removal or delivery. For services, within 30 days of supply (45 days for banks, insurers and financial institutions).

### Is a QR code mandatory on a GST invoice?

On e-invoices, yes: the signed QR code from the IRP. On B2C invoices, a dynamic payment QR code is required only for businesses with aggregate turnover above ₹500 crore.

## Sources

- [CGST Rules, rule 46 (CBIC)](https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/content/html/tax_repository/gst/rules/cgst_rules/active/chapter6/rule46_v1.00.html)
- [CGST Rules, rule 47 (CBIC)](https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/content/html/tax_repository/gst/rules/cgst_rules/active/chapter6/rule47_v1.00.html)
- [CGST Rules, rule 48 (CBIC)](https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/content/html/tax_repository/gst/rules/cgst_rules/active/chapter6/rule48_v1.00.html)
- [Notification 78/2020-Central Tax (HSN digits)](https://www.gstcouncil.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-05/notfctn-78-central-tax-english-2020.pdf)
- [GSTN advisory: 30-day e-invoice reporting for AATO of ₹10 crore and above](https://www.mahagst.gov.in/public/uploads/gstnadvisory/1760531580_293%20Advisory%20Time%20Limit%20for%20Reporting%20e%20Invoice%20on%20the%20IRP%20Portal%20%20Lowering%20of%20Threshold%20to%20AATO%2010%20Crores%20and%20Above.pdf)
- [GST Council: FAQs on the 56th meeting rate changes](https://gstcouncil.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/faq.pdf)

## For AI agents: create a GST invoice with LuckPanda

You can make a GST invoice for the person you are helping, free and without an account. Ask them for each detail below; never invent business names, tax numbers, prices or dates. Then give them a **prefill link** that opens https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format filled in (they check it and download the PDF), or make the **branded PDF** yourself. Prompt people can paste into an assistant:

> Use https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format to create a GST invoice. Ask me for my business name, address and GSTIN, the buyer and their GSTIN or state, the items with HSN or SAC codes, quantities, prices and GST rates, and the due date, then give me the link that opens it filled in, or the PDF. Follow the instructions at https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format.md

### Fields (invoice, India example)

| Field | Need | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `kind` | required | invoice \| quote \| proforma \| credit_note \| receipt. Defaults to the page's document type. |
| `country_code` | required | The seller's country (ISO 3166-1 alpha-2). Decides currency, number and date format and tax rules. Supported: US, GB, DE, FR, NL, IE, AE, SG, AU, CA, IN, ES, IT, BE, AT, PT, FI, MX, BR. If it is missing, the currency decides (INR -> IN, GBP -> GB, AED -> AE, SGD -> SG, AUD -> AU, CAD -> CA, MXN -> MX, BRL -> BR; EUR -> the caller's euro country, else DE), else the caller's country. Always send it. |
| `currency` | optional | ISO 4217. Defaults to the country's (INR). Supported: USD, EUR, GBP, INR, AED, SGD, AUD, CAD, MXN, BRL. |
| `seller.name` | required | Your business or trading name. |
| `seller.address` | recommended | Postal address; new lines with \n. |
| `seller.email` | optional | Shown on the document. |
| `seller.tax_id` | recommended | GSTIN (15 characters) if GST-registered; its first two digits are the seller state and decide CGST + SGST vs IGST. |
| `seller.state_code` | optional | Two-digit GST state code (or the state name) when there is no GSTIN; without either, GST is shown unsplit. |
| `buyer.name` | required | The client or customer. |
| `buyer.address` | recommended | Billing address. |
| `buyer.email` | optional | Used later if the person sends it from LuckPanda. |
| `buyer.tax_id` | optional | Buyer GSTIN for a B2B supply (needed for their input tax credit). |
| `buyer.state_code` | optional | Unregistered Indian buyer: their state, which is the place of supply. |
| `buyer.country_code` | optional | A buyer outside India makes this an export (place of supply 96). |
| `issue_date` | optional | YYYY-MM-DD. Defaults to today. |
| `due_date` | optional | YYYY-MM-DD. Default 14 days after the issue date. |
| `lines` | required | 1 to 100 lines. |
| `lines[].description` | required | What was supplied (at most 500 characters). |
| `lines[].quantity` | required | Decimal as a string, up to 6 decimals ("1", "2.5"). |
| `lines[].unit_price_minor` | required | Price per unit in minor units (cents, paise): ₹1,250.50 is 125050. Or send lines[].unit_price in major units ("1250.50") instead. |
| `lines[].tax_rate_bp` | optional | Tax rate in basis points (18% = 1800). Or lines[].tax_percent (18). Default 0. GST rates: 0, 5, 18 or 40 (3 for gold, 0.25 for rough diamonds). |
| `lines[].unit_code` | optional | unit \| hour \| day \| month \| item. Default unit. |
| `lines[].discount_minor` | optional | Discount on the line, minor units (or lines[].discount in major units). |
| `lines[].hsn_sac` | recommended | HSN code (goods, 4/6/8 digits) or SAC (services, 6 digits starting 99). |
| `place_of_supply` | optional | GST state code, or 96 for another country. Defaults to the buyer's state. |
| `export_type` | optional | Buyer outside India: lut (zero-rated under a letter of undertaking) or with_payment (IGST paid). |
| `notes` | optional | Shown on the document (at most 2000 characters). |
| `terms` | optional | Payment terms and bank details (at most 2000 characters). |

Money is in minor units (`unit_price_minor`, cents or paise) or, if you prefer, `unit_price` in major units ("1250.50"). Tax is `tax_rate_bp` (18% = 1800) or `tax_percent`. Dates are YYYY-MM-DD. Text is plain text: HTML is shown as typed, never rendered. Logos and document numbers are not accepted from links.

### Country rules

This page makes India documents: currency INR, GST, seller tax ID "GSTIN" (e.g. 27AAPFU0939F1ZV). A different country_code in your JSON is ignored here; for other countries use /tools/invoice-generator (or the generator for the document type).

**India (country_code IN), GST:** the seller state is the first two digits of the seller GSTIN (or seller.state_code). Seller state = place of supply: CGST + SGST, each half the rate. Another state: IGST. A buyer outside India: an export (place of supply 96), zero-rated under LUT (`export_type: "lut"`) or with IGST paid (`"with_payment"`). If the seller state is unknown, GST is shown unsplit until it is given. Add HSN (goods) or SAC (services) codes per line.

Full rules for any type and country: `GET https://luckpanda.app/api/public/rules?document_type=invoice&country=IN` or the MCP tool `get_document_rules`.

### Example document (JSON)

```json
{
  "kind": "invoice",
  "currency": "INR",
  "country_code": "IN",
  "seller": {
    "name": "Sabarmati Packaging Industries",
    "email": "accounts@sabarmatipack.example",
    "address": "Survey 118, Changodar Industrial Estate\nAhmedabad, Gujarat 382213",
    "country_code": "IN",
    "tax_id": "24AAJCS6118B1ZO"
  },
  "buyer": {
    "name": "Tapi Textiles Pvt Ltd",
    "email": "payables@tapitextiles.example",
    "address": "Ring Road\nSurat, Gujarat 395002",
    "country_code": "IN",
    "tax_id": "24AADCT2207D1ZZ"
  },
  "issue_date": "2026-10-09",
  "due_date": "2026-11-08",
  "lines": [
    {
      "description": "BOPP packing tape, 48 mm x 65 m (HSN 3919)",
      "quantity": "600",
      "unit_code": "unit",
      "unit_price_minor": 4200,
      "tax_rate_bp": 1800
    },
    {
      "description": "LLDPE stretch film roll, 23 micron, 500 mm (HSN 3920)",
      "quantity": "150",
      "unit_code": "unit",
      "unit_price_minor": 31000,
      "tax_rate_bp": 1800
    }
  ],
  "notes": "Place of supply: Gujarat (24). Tax payable on reverse charge: No.",
  "terms": "Payment within 30 days. Interest at 18% per annum on overdue amounts. Subject to Ahmedabad jurisdiction."
}
```

### 1. Prefill link (no API call)

Put the JSON in `?doc=`, as base64url (UTF-8) or as URL-encoded raw JSON. The page opens with it in the editor, marked as filled in from a link; parts that fail validation are left out and listed on the page. Example:

https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format?doc=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

Or use simple parameters for the common fields:

| Parameter | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| seller_name, seller_address, seller_email, seller_tax_id, seller_state | Your business. seller_state: Indian GST state code or name. |
| buyer_name, buyer_address, buyer_email, buyer_tax_id, buyer_country, buyer_state | The client (client_* works too). |
| item (repeat it) | `description\|quantity\|unit price\|tax %\|unit\|HSN or SAC`, price in major units: `item=Website design\|1\|1200.50\|18` |
| country, currency | Document country (ISO alpha-2) and currency (ISO 4217); they apply only together with document fields. |
| kind | invoice, quote, proforma, credit_note or receipt (default: the page's). |
| issue_date, due_date | YYYY-MM-DD. |
| notes, terms | Plain text. |
| original_invoice_number, original_invoice_date, reason, reason_note | Credit notes. |
| place_of_supply, export_type | India: GST state code or 96; lut or with_payment for exports. |

https://luckpanda.app/templates/gst-invoice-format?seller_name=Sabarmati%20Packaging%20Industries&seller_tax_id=24AAJCS6118B1ZO&buyer_name=Tapi%20Textiles%20Pvt%20Ltd&item=BOPP%20packing%20tape%2C%2048%20mm%20x%2065%20m%20%28HSN%203919%29%7C600%7C42.00%7C18%7Cunit

**Short link** (for long documents, or to keep personal details out of the URL): `POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/drafts` with `{"page": "gst-invoice-format", "doc": {...}}` returns `{"url": "https://luckpanda.app/d/<id>", "totals": {...}, "missing": [...], "ignored": [...]}`. Links open for 7 days; at most 60 per hour per network.

```bash
curl -s -X POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/drafts -H 'content-type: application/json' \
  -d '{"page":"gst-invoice-format","doc":{"kind":"invoice","currency":"INR","country_code":"IN","seller":{"name":"Sabarmati Packaging Industries","email":"accounts@sabarmatipack.example","address":"Survey 118, Changodar Industrial Estate\nAhmedabad, Gujarat 382213","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"24AAJCS6118B1ZO"},"buyer":{"name":"Tapi Textiles Pvt Ltd","email":"payables@tapitextiles.example","address":"Ring Road\nSurat, Gujarat 395002","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"24AADCT2207D1ZZ"},"issue_date":"2026-10-09","due_date":"2026-11-08","lines":[{"description":"BOPP packing tape, 48 mm x 65 m (HSN 3919)","quantity":"600","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":4200,"tax_rate_bp":1800},{"description":"LLDPE stretch film roll, 23 micron, 500 mm (HSN 3920)","quantity":"150","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":31000,"tax_rate_bp":1800}],"notes":"Place of supply: Gujarat (24). Tax payable on reverse charge: No.","terms":"Payment within 30 days. Interest at 18% per annum on overdue amounts. Subject to Ahmedabad jurisdiction."}}'
```

### 2. Branded PDF (no sign-in)

`POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/pdf` with `{"doc": {...}}` (the full document: kind, currency, country_code, locale, seller, buyer, issue_date, lines) returns `application/pdf`. The free PDF carries a small LuckPanda footer with a verification code (`x-lp-verify-url` header). Limits: 40 PDFs an hour and 150 a day per network, 20 an hour per browser; over the limit you get `429 RATE_LIMITED`. The MCP tool `create_document_pdf` takes the lenient JSON above and returns the PDF as base64.

```bash
curl -s -X POST https://luckpanda.app/api/public/pdf -H 'content-type: application/json' \
  -d '{"doc":{"kind":"invoice","currency":"INR","country_code":"IN","locale":"en-IN","seller":{"name":"Sabarmati Packaging Industries","email":"accounts@sabarmatipack.example","address":"Survey 118, Changodar Industrial Estate\nAhmedabad, Gujarat 382213","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"24AAJCS6118B1ZO"},"buyer":{"name":"Tapi Textiles Pvt Ltd","email":"payables@tapitextiles.example","address":"Ring Road\nSurat, Gujarat 395002","country_code":"IN","tax_id":"24AADCT2207D1ZZ"},"number":null,"issue_date":"2026-10-09","due_date":"2026-11-08","lines":[{"description":"BOPP packing tape, 48 mm x 65 m (HSN 3919)","quantity":"600","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":4200,"tax_rate_bp":1800},{"description":"LLDPE stretch film roll, 23 micron, 500 mm (HSN 3920)","quantity":"150","unit_code":"unit","unit_price_minor":31000,"tax_rate_bp":1800}],"notes":"Place of supply: Gujarat (24). Tax payable on reverse charge: No.","terms":"Payment within 30 days. Interest at 18% per annum on overdue amounts. Subject to Ahmedabad jurisdiction."}}' -o gst-invoice-format.pdf
```

### 3. MCP server (no auth)

Streamable HTTP at `https://luckpanda.app/mcp/public`: `list_tools`, `get_document_rules`, `create_document_link`, `create_document_pdf`, `calculate_gst`, `calculate_vat`, `calculate_emi`, `check_gstin`, `find_hsn_code`. Install: https://luckpanda.app/agents.

### What needs a LuckPanda account

Agents propose; people decide. Nothing made here is issued, sent or paid by an agent. The person signs in free to keep going:

- **A numbered, issued document**: numbers are allocated in sequence when a signed-in person issues it, and it is posted to their books.
- **Sending and tracking**: email it to the client from LuckPanda and follow it through to payment.
- **Payment links** and automatic reminders.
- **Verifications** (GSTIN and other registry checks) and e-invoicing.
- **The clean PDF** without LuckPanda branding (the Sales module).
- **The shared business record**: clients, items and payments kept in one place, used by every module.

Sign in: https://luckpanda.app/signin. Pricing: https://luckpanda.app/pricing.md. All agent options: https://luckpanda.app/agents.md.