“Bhaiya, bill GST wala chahiye ya bina GST?” If you run a shop, you have heard this a hundred times. Some customers want a GST bill so they can claim input tax credit. Some do not care. And if you are not registered, you cannot charge GST at all.
Vyapar handles both kinds of bill from the same account. This guide explains when each one is right, how to make them, and the mistakes that cause problems when you file returns.
First, the rule that decides everything
Whether you can charge GST depends on you, not on the customer.
- You are GST registered (regular scheme): you must charge GST on taxable supplies and issue a tax invoice. A customer who “does not want GST” does not change that. You can skip their GSTIN if they are not registered, but the tax still applies.
- You are under the composition scheme: you cannot charge GST to the customer at all. You issue a bill of supply. See our composition scheme guide.
- You are not registered: you cannot charge GST. Your bill is a plain, non-GST bill.
There is one more case: goods that are exempt or nil-rated, like fresh vegetables or fresh milk. A registered seller still issues a proper document, but no tax is charged on those lines.
| GST (tax) invoice | Non-GST bill | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | GST-registered seller | Unregistered seller, or exempt items |
| Shows GSTIN | Yes, seller’s GSTIN | No GSTIN |
| Tax lines | CGST + SGST or IGST | None |
| Buyer can claim ITC | Yes, if buyer is registered | No |
| HSN code | Required (4 or 6 digits) | Not needed |
How Vyapar makes a GST bill
Vyapar’s own tutorial on GST and non-GST billing comes down to a few steps:
- Open the app and pick your company. For GST billing, keep your GSTIN on the company.
- Add or pick the party, with their GSTIN if they are registered.
- Make sure the item has an HSN code and a sale price.
- Choose a GST rate for the item, for example 18%.
- Click Add Sale, pick the party and the item. The GST lines appear automatically.
- Save. The invoice shows the item, its GST rate and the total.
How to make a non-GST bill
For a non-GST bill, the tax rate on the item is set to None. If your whole business is unregistered, also remove the GSTIN from the company, so it does not print on bills.
If you are registered and sell a mix of taxable and exempt goods, do not remove your GSTIN. Set the exempt items to a 0% or exempt rate, and keep GST on everything else. Your bill then shows tax only on the lines that need it.
The mistakes that cause trouble
These come up again and again when accountants sit down to file returns:
- Registered seller making “kaccha” bills without GST to give the customer a lower price. The tax is still due on that sale. If it is not in your returns, it is a problem waiting for a notice.
- Wrong state on the party. Vyapar charges IGST for inter-state sales and CGST + SGST within the state, based on the place of supply. A missing state means the wrong split. CGST, SGST and IGST explained.
- Old GST rates on items. Rates changed in September 2025, when most items moved to the new 5% and 18% slabs. If your items still carry 12% or 28%, check them. Our new GST rates guide explains what changed.
- Missing HSN codes. Registered sellers need HSN codes on tax invoices: 4 digits up to ₹5 crore turnover, 6 digits above. More in HSN and SAC codes.
Should you register for GST at all?
If your turnover is below the registration limit, registration is optional. Some small sellers register anyway because their business buyers want GST invoices for input tax credit. Others stay out to keep paperwork low. There is no single right answer. Our guide to GST registration limits lays out the numbers so you can talk it through with your CA.
A note on the customer’s GSTIN
For a B2B sale, always save the buyer’s GSTIN on the party in Vyapar. It prints on the invoice, and it is what lets your sale show up against their GSTIN in your GSTR-1, so they can claim the credit. A wrong GSTIN means an unhappy customer and an amendment later. You can check any GSTIN on the government’s GST portal using “Search Taxpayer”.
Two shops, two answers
Example 1: a small stationery shop in a town. Turnover around ₹25 lakh a year, sells only to walk-in customers in the same state, buys from local wholesalers. This shop is below the goods threshold in most states and has no inter-state sales. Non-GST billing in Vyapar keeps proper bills, stock and dues without registration. If a school starts asking for GST invoices, that is the moment to reconsider.
Example 2: a printer cartridge reseller. Turnover ₹18 lakh, but ships orders to customers in three other states. Inter-state supply of goods generally needs GST registration regardless of turnover. This seller needs GST billing from day one.
The point: turnover alone does not decide it. What you sell, where it goes and who buys it matter just as much. Our GST registration limit guide covers every case.
| GST invoice | Non-GST bill | |
|---|---|---|
| Who issues it | Registered regular taxpayers | Unregistered businesses |
| Shows GSTIN | Yes | No |
| Tax charged | CGST + SGST or IGST | None |
| Buyer can claim credit | Yes, if registered | No |
| Vyapar setting | GST on, item rates set | GST off |
Switching from non-GST to GST later
When you register, you do not need to start a new company in Vyapar. Add your GSTIN in company details, turn on GST, and set HSN codes and rates on your items. Bills before the registration date stay as they were. Bills from the registration date onwards carry GST. Ask your CA about the stock you held on the registration date, because input credit on that stock has its own rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can a GST-registered shop give a bill without GST?
Not for taxable goods. If you are registered under the regular scheme, GST applies to taxable sales whether or not the customer asks for it. Exempt items carry no tax.
How do I make a non-GST bill in Vyapar?
Set the item’s tax rate to None. If your business is not registered, also remove the GSTIN from your company details.
Can I make both GST and non-GST bills in one Vyapar account?
Yes. The tax depends on each item’s rate and your company’s GST setting, so a registered business can have taxable and exempt items on the same bill.
Does the customer need a GSTIN for a GST bill?
No. Unregistered customers still get a tax invoice; it just does not show a buyer GSTIN.
Setting up Vyapar for the first time? Start with our beginner’s setup guide, and use the referral code PNQ1G9 at sign-up for 3 to 6 months extra.
