Tally GST Bill Format — Complete Setup Guide & Free Alternative

Master GST invoice setup in Tally with step-by-step instructions. But first, see why thousands of Indian traders switched to GSTBill.app for faster, simpler billing.

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Tally GST Invoice Format — Overview

Tally ERP 9 is a comprehensive accounting software designed for GST compliance. When you create invoices in Tally, the format is automatically structured and GST rates are applied correctly.

Important: Tally's GST bill format follows India's GST Act rules and is ready for digital signature.

What Is Included in a Tally Invoice?

  • Supplier Details: Company name, GSTIN, address, bank account
  • Customer Details: Buyer name, GSTIN (if registered), address
  • Itemized List: Each item, HSN code, quantity, unit price, tax details
  • GST Breakdown: IGST, CGST, and SGST calculated separately
  • Payment Terms: Due date, payment method, terms and conditions
  • Signature and Stamp: Company stamp and authorized person's signature

How to Set Up GST Bill in Tally — Step-by-Step

Setting up GST bill format in Tally takes some time, but we've provided a detailed guide:

1

Company Setup and Enable GST

  1. Create a new company in Tally
  2. Enter your GSTIN number in "Company Info"
  3. Enable GST (Gateway of Tally → Company → Alter → Check the GST checkbox)
  4. Set the financial year (April to March)
  5. Complete your company's address, phone, and email
2

Ledger Creation (Chart of Accounts)

  1. Customer Ledgers: Create separate ledgers for each customer. Keep separate GST-wise ledgers (Regular, Unregistered, Exempt)
  2. Supplier Ledgers: Supplier ledgers for purchases
  3. GST Ledgers: IGST Receivable, CGST Receivable, SGST Receivable, and Output GST accounts
  4. Revenue Ledgers: Sales ledgers organized by HSN codes (if required)
3

Stock Items and HSN Code Setup

  1. If managing inventory, add each product in "Create Stock Item"
  2. HSN/SAC code is required (8-digit code for each product category)
  3. Set tax rate (5%, 12%, 18%, or 28%)
  4. Define unit of measurement (kg, pieces, etc.)
4

Voucher Entry (Invoice Creation)

  1. Gateway of Tally → Vouchers → Sales
  2. Select the party name (customer)
  3. Add items with quantity and rate
  4. Tally automatically calculates IGST/CGST/SGST
  5. Print the invoice or generate a PDF
5

Invoice Customization

  1. Customize the invoice format: Gateway → Alter → Invoice Format
  2. Add your company logo
  3. Add payment terms and bank details
  4. Set the print layout (A4 size, margins, colors)

Common Tally GST Invoice Problems

While Tally is powerful, it becomes very complex for small traders. These issues are very common:

❌ Expensive Subscription

Starting from ₹18,000 per year. Plus renewal costs increase every 2-3 years.

❌ Desktop-Only Solution

Tally runs only on Windows/Mac. It cannot work on mobile devices. On-the-go invoicing is impossible.

❌ Steep Learning Curve

GST ledger setup is very complicated. Accounting knowledge is required. Every mistake impacts GST filing.

❌ Manual Sharing

After creating an invoice, you must download the PDF, then separately email or send it via WhatsApp.

❌ Inventory Overhead

If only invoicing is needed, setting up the entire Tally accounting system is wasteful.

❌ Installation and Updates

Installation is a lengthy process. Regular updates, patches, and compatibility issues occur frequently.

Tally vs GSTBill.app — Honest Comparison

See the advantages and disadvantages of both billing solutions:

Feature Tally ERP 9 GSTBill.app
Cost ₹18,000+/year ₹0 (Free)
Time to Create Invoice 3-5 minutes (after setup) 60 seconds
Platform Desktop only (Windows/Mac) WhatsApp Web + Mobile
Learning Curve Steep (Accounting knowledge needed) Zero (Simple)
Share Invoice Manual PDF download + email/WhatsApp One-click WhatsApp share
Setup Time 2-3 weeks (Company, ledger, GST setup) 2 minutes
Inventory Management Full ERP (stock tracking, purchase orders) Not needed for basic billing
Mobile-First No Yes
GST Compliance Full (GSTR-1, GSTR-2, GSTR-3B) GST-compliant invoicing
Best For Large businesses with inventory + accounting Traders & small businesses (invoicing only)
Bottom Line: If you only need to create GST bills with no inventory management, Tally is overkill. GSTBill.app is 100 times faster and completely free.

Who Should Use Tally vs GSTBill.app?

Tally ERP 9 Is Perfect If:

  • Your business is medium to large-scale (₹50+ lakhs annual turnover)
  • Inventory management (stock tracking, purchase orders) is required
  • Full accounting (balance sheet, P&L) must be maintained
  • You have multiple warehouses and a complex supply chain
  • Financial reporting is needed alongside invoicing
  • You need custom reports and analysis

GSTBill.app Is Perfect If:

  • You are a small trader (retailers, agents, distributors)
  • Only invoicing is needed, not inventory management
  • You work on mobile and need on-the-go billing
  • Your budget is tight (₹0 per month)
  • You want to send bills directly via WhatsApp
  • You don't want to waste time on setup
  • You need a simple, fast, mobile-first solution

How to Switch from Tally to WhatsApp Billing

If you are switching from Tally to GSTBill.app, follow this process:

1

Export Customer Database

Collect names, addresses, and GST numbers from your Tally customer ledger. Save in Excel.

2

Create a GSTBill.app Account

Send a message on WhatsApp and activate your free account. Ready in just 2 minutes.

3

Add Company Details

Fill in your company name, GSTIN, address, phone, and website in GSTBill.app.

4

Add Customers

Import customer details from your spreadsheet or add them manually (bulk import is available).

5

Test Your First Bill

Create a test bill with a dummy customer. Check the format, then start live use.

Pro Tip: The GSTBill.app team provides support at every step to avoid migration issues. WhatsApp support is instant.

More Helpful Resources

For more information about billing, read these pages:

GST Bill Format Guide

GST bill ke different formats aur best practices.

Free GST Bill Generator

Instant GST bill banao, koi setup nahi.

Free GST Billing Software

Tally vs aur billing software ka comparison.

GST Invoice Format 2026

Latest GST invoice rules aur compliance checklist.

GST Bill Kaise Banaye — Hindi Guide

Hinglish mein step-by-step invoice making tutorial.

Handwritten GST Invoice

Kya manual bills valid hain? Legal status aur compliance.

Tally GST Billing Blog

Tally tricks, tips, aur troubleshooting articles.

GSTBill.app Home

Free WhatsApp-based GST billing tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up GST bill format in Tally?

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To set up GST bill format in Tally: 1) Set up your company and enable GSTIN. 2) Create customer and supplier ledgers. 3) Create GST ledgers (IGST, CGST, SGST). 4) Add HSN codes to stock items. 5) GST rates apply automatically during voucher entry. 6) Customize invoice format and print. The entire process can take 2-3 weeks.

What is the cost of Tally subscription?

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Tally ERP 9's annual license starts from ₹18,000. Additionally, you may need to pay for extra modules for advanced features. Multi-user licenses and server versions cost more. Installation, training, and technical support may have additional charges.

Can I share Tally bills directly on WhatsApp?

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No, you must download the PDF from Tally, then manually share it via email or WhatsApp. With GSTBill.app, one click sends the bill directly to the customer's WhatsApp number, which is much more convenient.

Does Tally require a desktop?

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Yes, Tally runs only on Windows and Mac desktop/laptop computers. It does not work on mobile. If you need on-the-go billing, Tally is impractical. GSTBill.app works on mobile through WhatsApp from anywhere.

What are the alternatives to Tally?

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Billing-only tools: GSTBill.app (free, WhatsApp-based), Zoho Invoice, Wave, Square Online. Full ERP alternatives: SAP, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365. For budget and simplicity, GSTBill.app is the best option for small traders.

Does Tally generate GST-compliant bills?

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Yes, Tally invoices follow the rules of the GST Act 2017. IGST, CGST, and SGST are properly calculated and displayed. It supports HSN and SAC codes. GSTBill.app provides the same GST compliance with zero setup required.

Is Tally worth it for small traders?

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In most cases, no. If you only need invoicing (no inventory management), Tally becomes wasteful. You spend ₹18,000 per year but use only 10% of its features. With GSTBill.app, the same GST bills are created in 60 seconds, and it's completely free.

Will I lose data when switching from Tally to GSTBill.app?

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Not at all. Your Tally data remains with you. You simply start creating new bills in GSTBill.app. Keep your Tally files saved for old reports. Export your customer database and import it into GSTBill.app. No data loss, just switching for future billing.

Ready to Skip the Complexity?

Tally setup is complex and expensive. Create free GST bills in 60 seconds with GSTBill.app, send them directly via WhatsApp, and track customer payments. No subscription. No installation. No headaches.

Create Free GST Bill Now on WhatsApp

No credit card required. Start in 2 minutes.