How Does GST Apply to Meta Ads in India?

Meta’s India pages say ad purchases in India are subject to goods and services tax (GST) and tax deducted at source (TDS). Both are added whenever you are charged, for ad accounts whose business country is India. A GSTIN is optional, and Meta links it to input tax credit. TDS can come back as ad credit if you send a certificate. This is what Meta’s pages say as checked on 2 Oct 2026. It is not tax advice.

What are GST and TDS on Meta ads in India?

Meta’s GST page says ads bought in India are subject to both taxes. It says that since October 2018 these ads are sold by Meta India and billed and paid for in Indian rupees, for ad accounts with India as the business country. GST and TDS are added whenever you are charged. Meta also says it cannot give tax advice. Ask a qualified adviser how both taxes apply to your business, then compare the answer with your own invoices.

Do you need to enter a GSTIN?

Meta says entering a GSTIN is not mandatory. Its page says to enter the GSTIN of your main state of operations or headquarters if you are registered for GST and want to claim input tax credit. It adds that this is subject to the other criteria under applicable law, where applicable. Meta also asks you to keep your payment method, business name, address and GSTIN up to date. Check with your adviser before you decide what to enter.

The same page says an advertiser in a special economic zone (SEZ) may be certified with the government as GST exempt. It says to write to Meta or contact client services and provide your valid SEZ certificate.

How does TDS work on your charges?

Meta’s page says the amount charged includes TDS. It also says you are still required to pay the TDS to the government under local law. If you have a TDS certificate, Meta says the TDS amount can be refunded to you as Meta ad credit.

How do TDS refunds work?

Meta’s TDS refund page says refunds apply only if you pay by card or local payment. It gives these details:

• It says the current TDS rate for advertising is 2%.- Refunds come back as ad credit and may take up to two months. Meta does not issue invoices for these credits.
• Meta must receive certificates by 31 October for the previous fiscal year.
• You add your TAN to each ad account.
• Apple App Store purchases are not eligible.

What changes with monthly invoicing?

Meta’s monthly invoicing FAQ says this option is offered only for domestic accounts paying in rupees. For those accounts, the monthly invoicing GST page says GST and TDS are added on top, so a charge can be higher than your credit limit. TDS does not appear on the invoice. You withhold it, pay it, and give the certificate to Meta.

The refund page adds the timing. It says to deduct 2% before paying and to pay the TDS to the government quarterly. You then email the certificate. Meta says it reconciles within 3 business days, and that you have 150 days to submit TDS proof or the monthly invoice facility is put on hold.

What do invoices and e-invoices need?

Meta’s e-invoicing page says that from 1 October 2020 Meta India complies with India’s e-invoicing system. If a valid GSTIN is on your ad account, you receive e-invoices. Meta’s digital signature page says the law requires a digital signature on invoices and receipts. Meta works with eMudhra, a government-approved vendor. The signature shows on the PDF but does not print, and Meta says the electronic version is sufficient by law.

What does not change?

Meta’s Australia and Singapore pages say that adding a tax registration number means Meta does not add GST. India’s page does not say that. It describes GST and TDS as added whenever you are charged, and it describes the GSTIN as the number to enter if you want input tax credit. Meta’s tax pages are written per country, and none of them is tax advice. The general tax entry in this library covers the common pattern.

FAQ

Is GST added to Meta ads in India?

Meta’s India GST page says ad purchases in India are subject to GST and TDS, and that both are added whenever you are charged. This applies to ad accounts with India as the business country. Open your invoices to see the lines, and ask a qualified adviser what applies to you.

Does entering a GSTIN remove GST from Meta ads?

Meta’s India page does not say that. It says a GSTIN is not mandatory and describes entering one if you are GST-registered and want input tax credit, subject to applicable law. Meta’s Australia and Singapore pages describe a registration number as stopping GST being added. Ask your adviser about India.

How do you get TDS back from Meta?

Meta’s refund page says that if you pay by card or local payment, you send your TDS certificate. The refund arrives as Meta ad credit and may take up to two months. You also add your TAN to each ad account, and Meta must receive certificates by 31 October for the previous fiscal year.