Freelancer In-Hand Income Calculator
See exactly how much money hits your bank account after 18% GST and TDS Deductions.(No Excel. No Confusion. Real Bank Credit.)
Enter the amount you charge before adding tax.
Perfect For
- Freelancers & Consultants (194J)
- Marketing Agencies & Dev Shops
- Contractors (194C)
Not For
- Salaried Employees (Use Slab Calc)
- Goods Sellers (TDS usually not applicable)
- International Clients (No TDS)
Where does your money go? (The TDS Cycle)
Raise Invoice
You bill ₹1L + 18% GST
Client Deducts
Client keeps ₹10k (10%)
Client Deposits
Pays Govt via Challan
Check 26AS
Verify credit in IT Portal
Claim Refund
File ITR & get money back
Common Freelancer Mistakes
Not Sharing PAN = 20% Loss
If you forget to mention your PAN on the invoice, the client is legally forced to deduct 20% TDS instead of 10%. Always add it.
Treating GST as Income
The 18% GST you collect is NOT your money. You are just a collection agent for the government. Do not spend it!
Ignoring Form 26AS
Clients sometimes deduct TDS but forget to deposit it. If it doesn't show in your 26AS, you won't get the refund. Check quarterly.
The Math Behind Your In-Hand Pay
The Golden Formula
Total Invoice = Fee + (Fee × 18% GST)
TDS Deduction = Fee × 10% (NOT on GST)
In-Hand = Total Invoice - TDS Deduction
Example: ₹1 Lakh Invoice
Imagine you are a Web Designer billing a client for ₹1,00,000.
- You add 18% GST: ₹18,000.
- Total Bill Amount: ₹1,18,000.
- The Client calculates TDS on ₹1 Lakh (Base): ₹10,000.
- Client pays you: ₹1,18,000 - ₹10,000 = ₹1,08,000.
Which Section are you? (194J vs 194C)
| Profession / Service | Section | TDS Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Software / Design / Law | 194J | 10% |
| Content Writer / YouTuber | 194J | 10% |
| Call Center / BPO | 194J (Tech) | 2% |
| Contractor / Driver | 194C | 1% / 2% |
Unspoken Questions (What nobody tells you)
Q. My client didn't ask for my PAN. Is that okay?
NO. This is a massive trap. If you don't provide a PAN, Section 206AA requires the client to deduct TDS at 20% flat. Always mention PAN on every invoice.
Q. I work with US/UK clients. Do they deduct TDS?
Generally, No. Foreign clients (without an India office) do not deduct Indian TDS. You receive the full amount. However, you must still pay tax on this income when filing your ITR in India.
Q. My total income is only ₹4 Lakhs (Tax Free). Do I still lose TDS?
It is not lost! The client must deduct it by law, but since your income is below the taxable limit, you will get 100% of it back as a refund when you file your Income Tax Return.
Q. Is the ₹30,000 threshold per invoice or per year?
It is Aggregate per Financial Year per Client. If you raise 4 bills of ₹10,000 each (Total ₹40k), the limit is crossed and TDS applies on the whole amount.
Q. Client deducted TDS on the GST amount too. Is that correct?
Incorrect. TDS is calculated ONLY on the 'Service Fee' (Base Amount). If your bill is ₹1L + ₹18k GST, TDS should be ₹10k (10% of 1L), not ₹11.8k.
Q. What if the client deducted TDS but didn't deposit it?
This is serious. Always check your Form 26AS or AIS quarterly on the Income Tax Portal. If the credit isn't there, you cannot claim the refund. Chase the client immediately.
Why use this tool?
- 100% Private
Data never leaves your device.
- Reverse Calculation
Know In-hand? Find Invoice value.
- Updated Rates
FY 2025-26 Compliant.
Quick Facts
- Std. Rate (194J)10%
- No PAN Penalty20%
Check your 26AS
If credit doesn't show in Form 26AS, you can't claim it. Check quarterly.