GST 2.0 Rate & Invoice Checklist (2026)
1. Current GST slabs (from 22 September 2025)
| Rate | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 0% (nil) | Unbranded essentials such as fresh milk, most fresh produce, and some education and health items |
| 5% | Mass-consumption goods and daily necessities; most items earlier taxed at 12% moved here |
| 18% | Standard rate: most services, IT and professional services, and many manufactured goods (most earlier 28% items moved here) |
| 40% | A narrow list of specified luxury and sin goods and services |
| 3% / 0.25% | Special rates: gold and silver (3%), rough diamonds (0.25%) |
The old 12% and 28% slabs were merged into the rates above. Always confirm the rate for your exact HSN/SAC code on the CBIC rate finder before invoicing.
2. What every tax invoice must show
- Your name, address and GSTIN
- A unique, consecutive invoice number (up to 16 characters, unique for the financial year)
- Invoice date
- Customer’s name, address and GSTIN (if registered)
- For unregistered customers above the prescribed value: name, address and state of delivery
- HSN code for goods / SAC for services (4 digits if turnover is up to ₹5 crore, 6 digits above that)
- Description, quantity and unit of each item
- Total value, discount, and taxable value
- GST rate and amount, split as CGST + SGST/UTGST (same state) or IGST (other state)
- Place of supply, with the state name, for inter-state supplies
- Whether tax is payable on reverse charge
- Signature or digital signature of the supplier or an authorised person
3. Quick checks before you send the invoice
- Same state as the place of supply? Charge CGST + SGST. Different state? Charge IGST.
- Did you apply the rate to the taxable value after discount?
- Is your annual turnover above ₹5 crore? Then e-invoicing (IRN) is mandatory for B2B invoices.
- Round-off shown as a separate line, not hidden in the rate.
- Invoice series continues from the last number with no gaps or duplicates.
4. Handy formulas
- Add GST: Total = Price × (1 + rate ÷ 100)
- Remove GST from an inclusive price: Taxable value = Price ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Do the maths instantly with the GST Calculator, Reverse GST Calculator and GST Invoice Calculator.
This checklist is general guidance, not tax advice. GST rules change through GST Council decisions and notifications; confirm with the CBIC or your chartered accountant.