Free Sales Return Note Format
Acknowledge goods returned by a customer – paired with a Credit Note for the financial reversal. Inspection status, reason, line items.
Free Sales Return Note Format
Sales Return / Goods Return Note for acknowledging returned goods - reason, inspection status, Credit Note linkage. Paired with Credit Note under Section 34.
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✓ 100% free ✓ No watermark ✓ Editable in MS Office & Google Docs
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RETURNED BY
[Customer Name]GSTIN: [if registered]GOODS RECEIVED AT
[Your Business Name][City – PIN]| # | Description of Returned Goods | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Item description] | [HSN/SAC] | 1 | [0.00] | [0.00] |
| 2 |
What’s inside the template
Everything a Sales Return Note needs
Returned By block
Customer details – matches the original invoice buyer.
Inspection status
Pre-set status field: Accepted / Damaged / Partially accepted – critical for downstream decisions.
Original Invoice + CN ref
Both linkages – to the original sale and to the Credit Note that handles the refund.
Reason for return
Pre-set reason: Defective / Wrong item / Excess quantity / Customer cancelled.
How it works
Process a Sales Return in 5 minutes
Download
Click the download button above and save the .docx file to your computer.
Open in Word
Works in Microsoft Word 2010+, WPS Office, LibreOffice and Google Docs.
Fill in return details
SRN number, original invoice ref, items returned with qty, reason, inspection.
Pair with Credit Note
Issue a Credit Note for the GST and value reversal – this note tracks the physical movement.
Physical + financial documentation
A Sales Return Note tracks the physical receipt of returned goods. The financial reversal happens via a Credit Note under Section 34.
Pick the right template
When to use a different format
Use a Credit Note – this note is the goods movement; CN is the GST adjustment.
Credit Note →Use a Debit Note – opposite case, when the seller charges more.
Debit Note →Use a Delivery Challan – movement document for job work or branch transfers.
Delivery Challan →Online generator coming soon
We're building a full online generator for this document type. For now, the Word template above has everything you need.
FAQ
Common questions
What is a Sales Return Note?
A Sales Return Note (also called a Goods Return Note or GRN) is an internal document that acknowledges the physical receipt of returned goods from a customer. It tracks what came back, why, and in what condition – separate from the financial reversal that happens via Credit Note.
Is a Sales Return Note required under GST?
GST law doesn’t strictly mandate a Sales Return Note – the legal document for adjusting GST liability is a Credit Note under Section 34. However, most businesses issue an SRN for internal inventory control, warehouse acknowledgement and customer dispute trail.
How does a Sales Return Note relate to a Credit Note?
Two documents, one transaction: Sales Return Note records the physical movement (goods coming back to your warehouse). Credit Note records the financial reversal (reducing your GST liability and refunding the customer). Always reference the SRN number in the Credit Note and vice versa.
Within what time should returns be processed?
There’s no legal deadline for the SRN itself, but the matching Credit Note must be issued and reported in GSTR-1 by 30th November following the end of the financial year. After that, you cannot reduce GST.
Can I edit the template in Google Docs?
Yes. Upload the .docx to Google Drive and open with Google Docs.
Does the template work in older Word versions?
Yes – the .docx format works in Microsoft Word 2010 and later. Also opens in WPS, LibreOffice and Google Docs.
Are there other free templates available?
Yes – Tax Invoice, Bill of Supply, Proforma, Quotation, Payment Receipt, Delivery Challan, Credit Note, Debit Note and more. Or use our free online generators.
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Free Sales Return Note Format
Sales Return / Goods Return Note for acknowledging returned goods - reason, inspection status, Credit Note linkage. Paired with Credit Note under Section 34.
Sign in with Google to unlock the download. Free, takes 10 seconds — no card, no spam.
✓ 100% free ✓ No watermark ✓ Editable in MS Office & Google Docs