Freelance Project Quote Builder (India)
Turn the income you need into an hourly rate, then into a project quote a client can say yes to — with the GST, TDS, platform fees and milestone payments Indian freelancers actually deal with.
Free. No account needed. Everything runs in your browser — nothing you type is sent to us. Reviewed 3 Nov 2026 by Kartikeya Mishra.
Your minimum hourly rate
₹900/hr
Quote this project at ₹65,000
| Project fee | ₹65,000 |
|---|---|
| Invoice total | ₹65,000 |
| TDS the client deducts (claimable) | −₹1,300 |
| Reaches your bank | ₹63,700 |
Payment schedule
- Upfront, before work starts · 40%₹26,000
- Milestone 2 · 30%₹19,500
- On final delivery · 30%₹19,500
- Not GST-registered: no GST on the invoice. Registration is generally required above ₹20 lakh a year (₹10 lakh in some states) — export income counts too.
- The client will likely deduct 2% TDS (section 393(1) of the Income-tax Act, 2025 — formerly section 194J). It isn't lost: it appears in your annual tax statement and is credited against your income tax.
- Milestone billing limits your risk: if a client disappears, you've been paid for the work already delivered.
Client-ready quote text
Project quote Estimated effort: 60 hours (includes a 20% buffer for revisions and unknowns) Fee: ₹65,000 Total: ₹65,000 Payment schedule: - Upfront, before work starts: 40% (₹26,000) - Milestone 2: 30% (₹19,500) - On final delivery: 30% (₹19,500) Work on each milestone starts after the previous payment is received. Scope changes are quoted separately.
Rules checked 3 November 2026. General information, not tax advice.
Who it helps
Indian freelancers, students taking their first client project, and small studios quoting fixed-price work for Indian or international clients.
How it works
It works back from your income goal and real billable hours to a minimum hourly rate, prices the project with a buffer for revisions, adds GST only when it applies, estimates the TDS an Indian business will usually deduct, subtracts platform commission, and splits the total into milestones with an upfront payment.
Limitations
It gives a floor, not a market rate — strong portfolios charge more. TDS thresholds apply to the total a client pays you in a year, not one invoice. It doesn't calculate your income tax. Confirm your situation with a chartered accountant.
Common questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate in India?
Add the monthly take-home you need to your monthly work expenses, multiply by 12, and divide by the hours you can realistically bill in a year — billable hours per week times the weeks you actually work. Most freelancers bill far fewer hours than they work, because sales, admin and learning don't bill.
Will my client deduct TDS from my payment?
Indian businesses paying fees for professional or technical services usually deduct TDS once payments to you cross ₹50,000 in a year — 10% for professional services and 2% for technical services (section 393(1) of the Income-tax Act, 2025, which replaced section 194J from 1 April 2026). Individuals and HUFs who aren't liable for a tax audit generally don't deduct it. TDS isn't lost: it appears in your annual tax statement and counts against your income tax.
Is TDS deducted on the GST amount?
When GST is shown separately on the invoice, TDS is generally calculated on the amount excluding GST, which is how this tool computes it.
Do I need GST registration as a freelancer?
Generally once your aggregate turnover crosses ₹20 lakh in a financial year (₹10 lakh in some special-category states), and export income counts toward that. Some people register earlier voluntarily — for example, to work with businesses that prefer GST invoices.
How much should I ask upfront?
Many freelancers ask 30–50% before starting, with the rest tied to clearly defined deliverables. Upfront payment confirms the client is serious and limits how much unpaid work you can lose if they disappear.
Sources for the rates and rules used
- Income Tax Department of India (official portal)
- TDSMAN — TDS on professional and technical fees, section 393(1) (formerly 194J)
- CBIC — GST law, rates and notifications (official)
- GST portal — registration and LUT filing (official)
Rates and rules change. Defaults were last checked on 3 Nov 2026; every rate is editable. This is general information, not tax or legal advice — confirm with a chartered accountant.