Clients and invoices are the backbone of Finocket: add a client with GSTIN validation and state auto-fill, then raise any of seven GST document types — invoice, tax invoice, bill of supply, export invoice, receipt, credit note or estimate — from one form, and share it on WhatsApp.
Add a client
Two paths: Add → Client from anywhere, or Clients → + top-right. Only the name is required — phone, email, address and GSTIN can come later. Type a 15-character GSTIN and Finocket checksums it as you type: a valid GSTIN gets a tick and the client's tax state auto-fills from the first two digits; a wrong state code, bad checksum or wrong length shows a red hint with the exact issue.
The Clients screen is built for a real book of customers: a hierarchical tree with sub-clients, search and a Leads/Clients lifecycle filter, a split view on tablets, bulk select and merge, a Cleanup tool that groups likely duplicates, and a CSV import wizard (upload, map columns, confirm a mandatory consent declaration, import). On a client's detail page you can convert a lead to a client, open their ledger and statement, merge or re-parent them, and fire WhatsApp quick actions.
The GST document types
Pick the document type when you create the invoice. Each type gets its own numbering prefix and the PDF header reads whichever you picked:
- Tax Invoice — for GST-registered clients. CGST + SGST for same state, IGST across states.
- Bill of Supply — for composition dealers who can't collect GST.
- Export Invoice — for foreign clients; an optional LUT number declares no IGST is charged.
- Receipt — advance payment or informal acknowledgement.
- Credit Note — returns, refunds or discounts against an existing invoice, on its own series so your invoice sequence is undisturbed.
- Estimate — a quote your client can accept online before any invoice exists. Full flow in Estimates & deposits.
Create and send an invoice
- Open Invoices → New. Pick the document type, numbering series and currency.
- Pick or create the client.
- Set dates and terms — payment-terms presets, due date, PO number, place of supply, reverse-charge (RCM) and LUT switches, shipping address.
- Add line items: pick from your catalog or type fresh, with quantity, rate, HSN/SAC and the GST split (CGST/SGST or IGST — Finocket picks based on states; Australian and US tax handled per region).
- Review totals — discount, adjustment, coupon; a warning appears if the client is over their credit exposure.
- Add notes and terms, then Save. The invoice saves as a draft and opens its detail page.
Only drafts are editable — once marked sent or paid, an invoice is locked and the edit route redirects, keeping your audit trail honest. From the detail page: print preview, PDF download, WhatsApp share, and a payment link. INR invoices carry a UPI QR automatically.
Credit notes under GST
Open Invoices → New Credit Note, pick the same client, add the returned items and save. It prints as "CREDIT NOTE CN-0001", lands in the client ledger against their outstanding, and reduces your GSTR-1 correctly. Under GST you should issue the credit note by 30 November following the financial year of the original invoice (or before filing the annual return, whichever is earlier).
Sent a wrong invoice?
For an invoice not yet filed, use Cancel & reissue on its detail page — Finocket cancels it (with Undo) and you raise a corrected one; the record of the cancelled invoice is preserved. For an invoice already reported in GSTR-1, issue a credit note instead.
Access & control
Owners and assistants can create and edit; an invited accountant sees everything read-only. Invoicing is a core module — it's on for every business workspace.
Related: Payments & TDS, Reports & GST filings.