Learn TallyLesson 11 of 20
Sales voucher (F8)
The sales voucher is the invoice. What you enter here is what the customer receives, so it must be right the first time.
Rates here are assumed. The examples use GST at 18% (CGST 9% + SGST 9%, or IGST 18%) only to show the entries. Actual rates depend on the goods or service and change by notification. For rates and return rules see the official sites gst.gov.in and cbic-gst.gov.in, or ask your accountant.
When to use it
For every sale of goods or services, on credit or for cash. Saving the voucher records the amount the customer owes, reduces stock, and records the output tax collected. The same screen prints the tax invoice.
Steps (item invoice mode)
- Gateway of Tally > Vouchers, press F8. Use Ctrl+H to choose Item Invoice.
- F2: the invoice date.
- Party A/c name: the customer, or Cash for a cash sale. Tally shows the party's address and GSTIN for confirmation.
- Sales ledger: Sales A/c.
- Name of Item, Quantity, Rate. Tally shows the stock on hand as you choose the item.
- Tax ledgers: Output CGST and Output SGST for a customer in the same state; Output IGST for another state.
- Check the total, type the narration, and press Ctrl+A. Tally offers to print.
Worked example
On 8 April, Shanti Traders sells to City Book Depot, in the same state, on credit: 120 reams of A4 paper at ₹300 a ream. GST assumed at 18%.
- Value: 120 × 300 = ₹36,000
- CGST 9%: ₹3,240; SGST 9%: ₹3,240
- Invoice total: ₹42,480
| Ledger | Debit (₹) | Credit (₹) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr | City Book Depot | 42,480 | |
| Cr | Sales A/c (A4 paper, 120 reams @ 300) | 36,000 | |
| Cr | Output CGST | 3,240 | |
| Cr | Output SGST | 3,240 |
Stock of A4 paper falls by 120 reams. The customer owes ₹42,480. Output tax of ₹6,480 is payable, less whatever input tax is available.
A cash sale
On 10 April, 20 boxes of pens are sold for cash at ₹500 a box. Value ₹10,000; CGST ₹900; SGST ₹900; total ₹11,800. Choose Cash as the party; Tally lets you type the buyer's name for the printed bill.
| Ledger | Debit (₹) | Credit (₹) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr | Cash | 11,800 | |
| Cr | Sales A/c (pens, 20 boxes @ 500) | 10,000 | |
| Cr | Output CGST | 900 | |
| Cr | Output SGST | 900 |
A sale to another state
50 reams at ₹300 to a dealer in another state: value ₹15,000; IGST 18% ₹2,700; total ₹17,700. Dr the customer 17,700; Cr Sales 15,000; Cr Output IGST 2,700.
Discounts and other charges
- Trade discount per item: switch on the discount column in the voucher configuration (F12) and enter the percentage against the item. Tax is then calculated on the reduced value.
- Packing or delivery charged to the customer: add a ledger such as Packing Charges (under Indirect Incomes or Sales Accounts, as your office decides) before the tax lines.
- Rounding: a Round Off ledger takes the paise so that the invoice ends in whole rupees.
Accounting invoice mode
A business that sells services has no stock items. Switch with Ctrl+H to Accounting Invoice and choose income ledgers, for example Consultancy Fees, then the tax ledgers.
Bill-wise details and credit period
For a credit sale, choose New Ref and enter the number of days of credit. Tally then shows the due date and, in the Outstandings reports, how many days each bill is overdue. When the customer pays, tag the receipt against this bill.
Printing and sending
- Ctrl+P prints the invoice. The number of copies and the titles printed are set in the print configuration.
- Ctrl+M emails it; Ctrl+Alt+W sends it by WhatsApp; Ctrl+E exports it as a file.
- Invoice numbering follows the method set for the Sales voucher type (automatic by default). Do not leave gaps or change numbers by hand without reason; invoice numbers must run in an unbroken series.
Businesses above certain turnover limits must also generate e-invoices and e-way bills under GST rules. TallyPrime has features for both; whether and how they apply to a business is for its accountant to decide from the current rules on the GST portal.
Selling more than the stock on hand
If you sell 120 reams when Tally shows 100 in stock, the stock goes negative and is shown in red. Usually a purchase has not been entered yet, or a quantity was mistyped. Find the cause; do not leave negative stock in the books.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the wrong party or the wrong item from a long list. Read the party name and GSTIN on the screen before saving.
- Charging CGST and SGST to an out-of-state customer, or IGST within the state.
- Changing a saved invoice after it has been given to the customer. If a correction is needed, follow the office's procedure: usually a credit note and a fresh invoice.
- Typing the rate including tax.
- Forgetting the date, so that today's sale carries yesterday's date.
Next: debit and credit notes.
Questions learners ask
How do I create a sales invoice in TallyPrime?
Open Vouchers, press F8, choose the customer and sales ledger, enter items with quantity and rate, add the tax ledgers and save with Ctrl+A. Ctrl+P prints it.
How do I record a cash sale?
Use the Sales voucher with Cash as the party, so that the invoice, stock and tax are all recorded.
What is the difference between item invoice and accounting invoice?
Item invoice mode records stock items with quantity and rate. Accounting invoice mode uses ledgers only and suits services.
All lessons
An independent learning site. Tally and TallyPrime are trademarks of Tally Solutions Private Limited. This site is not connected with, approved by or paid by Tally Solutions, and uses none of its logos, screens or course material. Keys and menu paths were checked against Tally's own help site on 12 November 2026; the software changes with each release, so if your screen differs, follow Tally's help (press Ctrl+F1). Tax treatment in the examples is for learning only: ask your accountant.