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Invoice Creation In Zoho Book

4 Feburary, 2026 Abhiyantriki's Team

How to Create an Account in Zoho :

Zoho offers powerful tools for businesses and developers. In this blog, we will explain step by step how to:

  • Create a Zoho Books account
  • Create a Zoho Developer account

Part 1: How to Create an Account in Zoho Books

Zoho Books is an online accounting software used for invoicing, GST compliance, expenses, and financial reports.

Step 1: Visit the Zoho Books Website

Step 2: Click on “Sign Up Now”

  • On the homepage, click the “Sign Up Now” button
  • Zoho Books usually offers a free trial

Step 3: Create a Zoho Account

You can sign up using:

  • Email address
  • Google account
  • Microsoft account

If using email:

  1. Enter Company Name
  2. Enter your Email Address
  3. Enter your Mobile No
  4. Create a Password
  5. Choose your Country
  6. Choose your State
  7. Accept the terms and conditions
  8. Click Create My Account

Step 4: Verify Your Email

  • Zoho will send a verification email
  • Open your email and click the verification link
  • Login in your Zoho Book Account

Step 5: Zoho Books Account Created

Your Zoho Books dashboard will open.

Step 6: From Settings to Invoice Creation

This guide walks users through the entire flow of an invoicing system, starting from Settings and ending with Invoice Creation. You can use this directly as a blog post or documentation page.

  1. Go to Settings

    The Settings section is where you configure your business details, taxes, templates, and system preferences before creating any transactions.

    Steps:

    1. From the dashboard, click Settings (usually available in the sidebar or top menu).
    2. The settings page will display multiple configuration options such as:
      • Business Details
      • Order Details
      • Tax Setup (GST)
      • PDF Template Setup
      • User & Permissions (optional)

  2. Organization Details Setup

    Order details define how your invoices and orders behave across the system.

    Steps:

    1. In Settings, click Organization Details.
    2. Edit your details
    3. Save the changes

  3. Tax Details Setup (GST Setup)

    This section is critical for businesses registered under GST.

    Steps:

    1. Go to Settings → Tax Details / GST Setup.
    2. Enable GST
    3. Enter your GST information:
      • GSTIN number
      • Business legal name
      • State and place of supply
    4. Configure tax slabs:
      • CGST
      • SGST
      • IGST
      • Applicable percentages (5%, 12%, 18%, 28%)
    5. Save the tax configuration.

  4. Create Customer using UI

    Customers must be added before creating invoices.

    Steps:

    1. Go to Customers → Create Customer
    2. Enable GST
    3. Enter customer details:
      • Customer name
      • Email address
      • Phone number
      • Billing address
    4. If applicable, add GST details:
      • GSTIN
      • State
      • Customer type (Registered / Unregistered)
    5. Save the customer

  5. Create Item / Product using UI

    Items or services are required to generate invoices.

    Steps:

    1. Go to Items / Products → Create Item
    2. Enter item details:
      • Item name
      • Description
      • Item type (Product / Service)
    3. Set pricing:
      • Selling price
      • Tax applicability
      • GST percentage
    4. Configure stock details (if applicable):
      • SKU
      • Quantity
    5. Save the item.

  6. Create Invoice using UI

    Once everything is set up, you can easily generate invoices for your customers.

    Steps:

    1. Go to Invoices → Create Invoice
    2. Select the customer.
    3. Add items:
      • Choose items from the list
      • Adjust quantity and price if required
    4. Verify tax calculation:
      • CGST / SGST or IGST applied automatically
    5. Set invoice details:
      • Invoice date
      • Due date
      • Payment terms
    6. Add notes or terms & conditions (optional).
    7. Save the invoice.

  7. Download or Share Invoice using UI

    After creating an invoice, you can download or share it with the customer using multiple options.

    Options:

    1. Download the invoice as PDF.
    2. Print the invoice.
    3. Email the invoice directly to the customer.
    4. Share the invoice:
      • Via WhatsApp (if supported)
      • Using a shareable link

Part 2: How to Create a Zoho Developer Account

A Zoho Developer account is used to create APIs, build extensions, and integrate Zoho with other applications.

Step 1: Visit Zoho Developer Portal

Step 2: Sign In with Zoho Account

  • Use the same Zoho account you created earlier
  • If not logged in, enter your email ID and password

Step 3: Access Developer Console

  • After login, you will be redirected to the Zoho API Console
  • This automatically activates your Zoho Developer account
  • No separate registration is required

Step 4: Create a New Client (App)

  • Click on “Add Client”
  • Choose client type:
    • Server-based (for development - select this option)
    • Client-based
    • Self Client (for testing APIs)

Step 5: Enter Client Details

  • Provide the following details:
    • Client Name
    • Homepage URL (can be a dummy URL for testing)
    • Authorized Redirect URI
  • Click on Create.

Step 6: Get Client ID and Client Secret

  • After creating the client, you will receive:
    • Client ID
    • Client Secret
  • These are used for:
    • API authentication
    • OAuth integration

    • Step 7: Start Using Zoho APIs for Invoice Creation

    • Ensure the following prerequisites are available:
      • A Zoho account
      • A Zoho Books organization
      • A registered app in Zoho API Console
    • Required OAuth scopes:
      • ZohoBooks.fullaccess.all
    • Use the appropriate country API domain (e.g., .in, .us, etc.)

    Get Authorization Code

    Zoho uses OAuth 2.0. The first step is to get a one-time authorization code
    Authorization URL
    https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/auth

    Query Parameters
    client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID
    response_type=code
    scope=ZohoBooks.fullaccess.all
    redirect_uri=YOUR_REDIRECT_URI
    access_type=offline
    prompt=consent

    url :

    https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/auth?scope=ZohoBooks.fullaccess.all&client_id=
    1000.0SRSxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx239Vbr &response_type=code&redirect_uri=
    https://oauth.pstmn.io/v1/callback&access
    _type=offline&prompt=consent

    After successful login and consent, Zoho will redirect to:

    YOUR_REDIRECT_URI?code=AUTHORIZATION_CODE

    Save this code — it is used only once.

    Generate Access Token and Refresh Token

    Now exchange the authorization code for tokens.

    Token API

    https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token

    Request (POST)

    url -X POST "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token" \
    -d "client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID" \
    -d "client_secret=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET" \
    -d "grant_type=authorization_code" \
    -d "code=AUTHORIZATION_CODE" \
    -d "redirect_uri=YOUR_REDIRECT_URI"

    Response

    {
    "access_token": "1000.xxxx",
    "refresh_token": "1000.yyyy",
    "expires_in": 3600
    }

    Store both tokens securely

    Step 3: Refresh Access Token

    Access tokens expire in 1 hour. Use the refresh token to generate a new one.

    Refresh Token API

    curl -X POST "https://accounts.zoho.in/oauth/v2/token" \
    -d "client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID" \
    -d "client_secret=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET" \
    -d "grant_type=refresh_token" \
    -d "refresh_token=YOUR_REFRESH_TOKEN"

    You'll receive a new access token in response.

    Step 4: Get Organization ID

    Every Zoho Books API call requires an organization_id.

    API Endpoint

    GET /organizations curl -X GET "https://www.zohoapis.in/books/v3/organizations" \ -H "Authorization: Zoho-oauthtoken YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"

    Response

    { "organizations": [ { "organization_id": "123456789", "name": "My Company" } ] }

    Step 5: Get Tax ID

    If your invoice includes tax, retrieve available tax IDs.

    API Endpoint

    GET /settings/taxes
    curl -X GET "https://www.zohoapis.in/books/v3/settings/taxes?organization_id=123456789" \
    -H "Authorization: Zoho-oauthtoken YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"

    Response

    {
    "taxes": [
    {
    "tax_id": "987654321",
    "tax_name": "GST",
    "tax_percentage": 18
    }
    ]
    }

    Step 6: Create Customer

    Invoices must be associated with a customer.

    API Endpoint

    POST /contacts

    Request

    curl -X POST "https://www.zohoapis.in/books/v3/contacts?organization_id=123456789" \
    -H "Authorization: Zoho-oauthtoken YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
    "contact_name": "Daga Raj",
    "company_name": "AON",
    "email": "dagaraj@gmail.com"
    }'

    Response

    {
    "contact": {
    "contact_id": "1122334455"
    }
    }

    Step 7: Create Items

    Items represent products or services added to invoices.

    API Endpoint

    POST /items

    Request

    curl -X POST "https://www.zohoapis.in/books/v3/items?organization_id=123456789" \
    -H "Authorization: Zoho-oauthtoken YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
    "name": "Web Development Service",
    "rate": 500,
    "tax_id": "987654321"
    }'

    Response

    { "item": { "item_id": "5566778899" } }

    Step 8: Create Invoice

    Now you have everything needed to create an invoice

    API Endpoint

    POST /invoices

    Request

    curl -X POST "https://www.zohoapis.in/books/v3/invoices?organization_id=123456789" \
    -H "Authorization: Zoho-oauthtoken YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
    "customer_id": "1122334455",
    "line_items": [
    {
    "item_id": "5566778899",
    "quantity": 2,
    "rate": 500
    }
    ],
    "notes": "Thank you for your business!"
    }'

    Response

    {
    "invoice": {
    "invoice_id": "9988776655",
    "invoice_number": "INV-00001",
    "status": "draft"
    }
    }

    Invoice successfully created!

    Correct API Execution Order (Summary)

    • Get Authorization Code
    • Generate Access & Refresh Token
    • Refresh Access Token (when expired)
    • Get Organization ID
    • Get Tax ID
    • Create Customer
    • Create Items
    • Create Invoice

    Zoho Books API - Rules & Regulations

    When working with the Zoho Books API, especially for creating invoices, it is critical to follow Zoho’s technical rules, country-specific regulations, and accounting compliance requ

    1. OAuth & Authentication Rules

      Mandatory Rules

      • Zoho Books API only supports OAuth 2.0
      • API keys or basic authentication are not allowed
      • Authorization Code is one-time use only
      • Access Token expires every 1 hour
      • Refresh Token must be stored securely

      You must use valid scopes such as:
      ZohoBooks.fullaccess.all Insufficient scopes will result in: Unauthorized / Permission Denied

    2. Data Center & Country Rules

      Zoho Books is region-locked.
      API Domain Must Match Organization Country

      Country API Domain
      USA / Global zohoapis.com
      India zohoapis.in
      EU zohoapis.eu
      Australia zohoapis.com.au
      Japan zohoapis.jp

      Using the wrong domain = API failure
      Tokens are not cross-region compatible

    3. Organization Rules

      Organization ID Rules

      • Every API request must include organization_id
      • organization_id is unique per country
      • One OAuth token can access multiple organizations, but you must explicitly select one

      Validation API
      GET /organizations

    4. Customer (Contact) Rules

      Mandatory Fields

      • contact_name (required)
      • Email (recommended for invoice sending)

      Country-Specific Rules

      Country Special Requirements
      India GST Treatment
      UAE TRN
      EU VAT Number
      USA Sales Tax settings

      Invoices cannot be created without a valid customer.

    5. Item Rules

      Mandatory Item Rules

      • Each invoice must have at least one line item
      • Items must exist before invoice creation
      • Rate must be numeric
      • Quantity must be ≥ 1

      Tax Rules for Items

      • Tax must be linked via tax_id
      • Do not hardcode tax percentage
      • Tax behavior depends on country

    6. Tax Rules (Country-Wise)

      Taxes are strictly regulated by country laws.

      India (GST)

      Mandatory Fields

      • GST Treatment
      • Place of Supply
      • GSTIN (for registered businesses)

      Tax Types

      • CGST + SGST (intra-state)
      • IGST (inter-state)

      USA (Sales Tax)

      • Tax depends on state
      • Tax authority configuration required
      • Sales tax may be optional

      Missing or incorrect tax fields = invoice rejection.

    7. Invoice Creation Rules

      Mandatory Invoice Fields

      • customer_id
      • line_items
      • rate
      • quantity

      Status Rules

      • Newly created invoices are in Draft status
      • Approval may be required before sending
      • Auto-send depends on organization settings

    8. Currency Rules

      • Organization has a base currency
      • Invoice currency must be enabled beforehand
      • Exchange rate is required for foreign currency invoices

      Validation API

      • GET /settings/currencies

    9. Error Handling Rules

      Error Code Meaning
      401 Invalid or expired token
      403 Permission denied
      404 Resource not found
      429 Rate limit exceeded
      500 Server error

    10. Invoice Numbering Rules

      • Invoice numbers are auto-generated
      • Manual override allowed only if enabled
      • Country-specific formats may apply

    11. Recommended API Execution Order

      1. OAuth Authorization
      2. Generate Tokens
      3. Get Organization
      4. Get Settings (Tax, Currency)
      5. Create Customer
      6. Create Item
      7. Create Invoice
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