A proforma invoice is a request for payment; a tax invoice is the GST document issued once you have paid. At Domain India, the proforma number starts with PI-, the same invoice gets an INV- number when it is paid, and a separate tax invoice numbered TAX- with the financial year is issued for GST. This page explains the difference in short and tells you which one to give your accountant.
A proforma invoice (PI-) is the bill you receive before paying. It is not a tax document and cannot be used to claim input tax credit. When you pay, the invoice gets an INV- number and a GST tax invoice (TAX-, with the financial year) is issued, carrying Domain India's GSTIN, your GSTIN if it is on your account, and SAC 998315. Give your accountant the tax invoice, downloaded with Download Tax Invoice from Invoices.
Every number, status and GST detail on a Domain India invoice is explained in Understanding your invoice (PI vs INV). This page covers only the difference between a proforma and a tax invoice.
1. The difference at a glance
| Question | Proforma invoice | Tax invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Number starts with | PI- | TAX-, including the financial year |
| When it is created | When an order, renewal or upgrade is billed | When your payment goes through |
| What it is for | Telling you what to pay and by when | Your GST record of the purchase |
| Valid for input tax credit | No | It is the document your CA needs |
| Title on the invoice page | Proforma Invoice | Tax Invoice |
| Download button | Download PDF | Download Tax Invoice |
The INV- number sits between the two: it is the invoice's own reference once it is paid, and the old PI- number stays visible as Proforma Ref. For GST, the tax invoice is the one that counts.
2. What a proforma invoice is for
You get a proforma invoice when you place an order, upgrade a plan, or when a renewal is due. Renewal invoices are generated up to 30 days before the due date. The invoice page shows the amount, the due date and a Pay Now button, with a Payment Due banner, or Payment Overdue once the due date has passed.
Domain India never charges a saved card automatically. A service renews only when you pay its invoice, and you can decline a renewal you don't want on the Renewals page or simply leave the invoice unpaid. See How auto-renewal works.
3. What the tax invoice adds
After payment, the invoice page shows Payment Received and is titled Tax Invoice. The tax invoice carries:
- Domain India's GSTIN, 33AAFCD9427N1Z9;
- your GSTIN, if it was on your account when you paid;
- the place of supply, from your billing state;
- SAC code 998315;
- the taxable value and the GST: CGST 9% plus SGST 9% if your billing state is Tamil Nadu, or IGST 18% for any other state.
Customers without a GSTIN still receive a tax invoice. More on the tax itself is in Understanding GST on hosting services.
The tax invoice is created when the payment goes through, using the details on your account at that moment. Add your GSTIN on your Profile and check your billing state before paying. If a tax invoice has already been issued without your GSTIN, open a ticket with the tax invoice number; don't assume it can be changed.
4. Getting the right document
- Open Billing › Invoices.Sign in and go to Invoices.
- Open the paid invoice.Its page is titled Tax Invoice.
- Click Download Tax Invoice.Save the PDF and give it to your accountant.
Don't rely on email for your records: download tax invoices from the client area. If a paid invoice shows only Download PDF and no Download Tax Invoice button, open a ticket with the invoice number.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a proforma invoice and a tax invoice?
A proforma invoice is a request for payment issued before you pay; it is not a tax document. A tax invoice is issued after payment and is the GST document that records the sale, with both parties' GSTINs, the place of supply, the SAC code and the tax breakup.
Can I claim input tax credit on a Domain India proforma invoice?
No. A proforma invoice is not a tax document. Use the tax invoice issued after payment, downloaded with the Download Tax Invoice button. Ask your CA whether your purchase qualifies for input tax credit.
Which Domain India invoice should I give my accountant?
The tax invoice. Its number starts with TAX- and includes the financial year, and it carries Domain India's GSTIN 33AAFCD9427N1Z9, your GSTIN if it was on your account, and SAC 998315.
Why does my paid invoice show both an INV- and a PI- number?
When a proforma invoice is paid it gets an INV- invoice number, and the original PI- number is kept as the Proforma Ref. The GST tax invoice issued with the payment has its own TAX- number.
Can I pay using the proforma invoice?
Yes. The proforma is the invoice you pay. Open it in Billing, Invoices in the client area and click Pay Now. The tax invoice is issued once the payment goes through.
Ready to find your tax invoices? Open Invoices in the client area, add your GSTIN on your Profile before your next payment, or read the full invoice guide.
Pay proforma invoices online and download your GST tax invoices from one place.
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