Glossary of GST, CRM and booking terms
Short definitions of the terms you meet when you invoice under GST, manage customers and take bookings online.
GST terms
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
India's indirect tax on the supply of goods and services, in force since 1 July 2017. It replaced most earlier central and state indirect taxes.
- GSTIN
The 15-character GST identification number given to each registered business. The first two digits are the state code and the next ten are the business's PAN.
In Vin-G: Vin-G Invoices prints your GSTIN and your client's GSTIN on GST invoices.
- CGST and SGST
Central GST and State GST. On a sale within one state (intra-state), the GST is split equally between the two.
In Vin-G: Vin-G Invoices works out CGST and SGST from the place of supply.
- IGST
Integrated GST, charged instead of CGST and SGST on a sale from one state to another (inter-state) and on imports.
In Vin-G: Vin-G Invoices charges IGST when the place of supply is in another state.
- Place of supply
The state where a supply is treated as made. It decides whether an invoice carries CGST and SGST (same state) or IGST (different state).
In Vin-G: Shown on Vin-G GST invoices as a state code.
- HSN code
Harmonised System of Nomenclature: a numeric code that classifies goods. GST invoices show the HSN code for each line of goods.
In Vin-G: Each invoice line in Vin-G has an HSN/SAC field.
- SAC code
Services Accounting Code: the code that classifies services under GST, used on invoice lines the way HSN is used for goods.
- Tax invoice
The invoice a GST-registered business issues for a taxable sale. It shows the supplier's GSTIN, the invoice number and date, the items with HSN/SAC, the taxable value and the tax.
- Taxable value
The amount GST is charged on: the price of the goods or services after any discount shown on the invoice.
- Input tax credit (ITC)
GST a registered business paid on its purchases, which it can set off against the GST it owes on its sales, subject to the conditions in the law.
- E-invoice (IRN)
For businesses above the notified turnover limit, B2B invoices must be reported to the Invoice Registration Portal, which returns an Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and a signed QR code.
In Vin-G: Vin-G does not generate e-invoices (IRN) or e-way bills, and does not file GST returns.
- PAN
Permanent Account Number: the 10-character tax ID issued by the Income Tax Department. It is part of every GSTIN.
In Vin-G: Vin-G Invoices can print your PAN under your business name.
CRM and marketing terms
- CRM (customer relationship management)
Software that keeps every customer and enquiry in one place, with their history, so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Contact
A person you deal with: a customer, a lead or a supplier. A CRM stores their details, notes and history.
- Lead
Someone who has shown interest, for example by filling a form or replying to an ad, but has not bought yet.
- Deal
A possible sale you are working on, with a value and a stage.
- Pipeline
The stages a deal moves through from first contact to won or lost, usually shown as columns on a board.
In Vin-G: Vin-G CRM has a drag-and-drop pipeline board.
- Lead ads
Ads on Meta (Facebook, Instagram) or Google that collect a form inside the ad, so people can enquire without visiting your site.
In Vin-G: Vin-G CRM can import Meta and Google lead-ad leads.
- Marketing consent
A person's recorded agreement to receive marketing messages from you. Without it, sending marketing email is risky under privacy law.
In Vin-G: Vin-G Campaigns sends only to contacts who have agreed to marketing.
- One-click unsubscribe
A link and email header (RFC 8058) that lets a recipient stop marketing email in one click, without logging in.
In Vin-G: Every Vin-G campaign email includes one.
Booking terms
- Booking page
A public web page where customers pick a service and a time and book it themselves.
In Vin-G: Vin-G Bookings gives each business a public booking page; clients do not need an account.
- Service
Something you can be booked for, with a name, a length and usually a price, such as "Haircut, 45 minutes".
- Availability
The hours each staff member can be booked. A booking page only offers times inside them.
In Vin-G: Set weekly availability per staff member in Vin-G Bookings.
- Time slot
One bookable start time, worked out from availability, service length and existing bookings.
- Appointment reminder
A message sent before an appointment so the customer remembers to come.
- No-show
A customer who books but neither turns up nor cancels. Reminders are the usual way to reduce them.
Definitions are general explanations, not tax or legal advice.