If your business is registered under GST, every invoice you issue has legal and tax consequences. Good GST billing software gets invoices right the first time and keeps your books ready for returns. Here is what to look for.
1. Correct GST invoices
The software should automatically handle:
- GSTIN, HSN/SAC codes and place of supply
- CGST + SGST for intra-state sales and IGST for inter-state sales
- Tax-inclusive and tax-exclusive pricing
- Credit notes and debit notes
- Invoice numbering in a continuous series
2. e-Invoice support
Businesses above the turnover limit notified by the GST authorities must generate e-Invoices through the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP), which returns an IRN and a signed QR code. Billing software with e-Invoice support saves you uploading invoices by hand.
3. e-Way Bills
Goods moved above the value threshold need an e-Way Bill. Generating it from the same invoice avoids re-typing vehicle and transport details and reduces errors at checkposts.
4. Real accounting, not just invoices
Many billing apps stop at the invoice. A complete system also keeps double-entry books:
- Customer and supplier ledgers
- Cash and bank books
- Receipts and payments
- Account statements you can send to customers
5. Reports you actually use
- Sales and purchase registers
- GST summaries for filing returns
- Outstanding receivables and payables
- Profit and loss and balance sheet
6. VAT for overseas business
If you also trade in countries that use VAT, look for software that can issue VAT invoices as well as GST invoices.
7. Access anywhere
Online billing software lets owners check sales and dues from a phone, and lets accountants work remotely without copying files back and forth.
How Onyx Bills helps
Onyx Bills is our online billing and accounting software for small and growing businesses. It brings together:
- GST and VAT sales and purchase invoices, quotations, proforma invoices, credit and debit notes
- Automatic CGST + SGST or IGST from the billing and shipping states
- e-Way Bills, and e-Invoicing ready
- Built-in inventory with FIFO lots, barcodes and near-expiry reports
- Double-entry bookkeeping, ledgers and bank reconciliation
- GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B summaries with HSN/SAC, Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet
- Up to 3 companies on one subscription
Plans start at ₹600 a month (or ₹6,000 a year) with a 14-day free trial. See Onyx Bills pricing.
Combine it with the WhatsApp Business API to send invoices and payment reminders on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an accountant?
Software makes your accountant's job faster and more accurate, but professional advice is still valuable for filing and tax planning.
Can I move my data from another billing software?
Usually yes. Opening balances, customers, suppliers and items can be imported.
Try Onyx Bills
Visit onyxbills.com or read more on the Onyx Bills page. Need something custom? See our custom software solutions.
