TCS should be added in bill or should I issue debit note

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DEEPAK ADHIKARI (Querist)
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07 January 2021 I am issuing debit notes to my clients for TCS on sale of goods on the amt received during the month but one of them arguing for adding it to bill but he doesn't make payment timely.
What is the correct way to debit the party for TCS.

Gokul Sharma

Gokul Sharma (Expert)
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07 January 2021 YOU SHOULD HAVE TO CHARGE IN THE INVOICE ITSELF.

DEEPAK ADHIKARI

DEEPAK ADHIKARI (Querist)
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07 January 2021 But TCS is calculated on amount received during the month.

Aashok Kumar Sharma

Aashok Kumar Sharma (Expert)
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26 July 2025 Good question! Here’s the deal:

* **TCS (Tax Collected at Source)** is *technically* collected on the amount **actually received** during the month, not just on the billed amount.
* So, you **can’t add TCS upfront in the original invoice** because you don’t know exactly how much the client will pay that month.
* The correct way, as per practice, is to issue a **separate debit note or TCS certificate** showing TCS on the amount received during that month.
* This way, you only charge TCS on actual collections, not on billed amount.
* Clients arguing for TCS to be added in the invoice itself is not fully aligned with how TCS works under law.

**Summary:**

* Original bill = without TCS
* TCS charged separately on collections → Debit Note or separate statement for TCS

This is also the common industry practice to avoid confusion.

If you want, I can help draft a sample debit note for TCS — would you like that?

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