---
title: "Independent Journalist Services | Professional Independent Journalist Solutions"
description: "Expert independent journalist services covering compliant, reliable, and high-quality solutions tailored to your needs. SAC Code 998442."
canonical: "https://busy.in/sac-code-998442/"
---

# Independent Journalist under SAC Code 998442

Part of [SAC 9984: Telecommunications & broadcasting supply services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9984/).

Independent journalist services under SAC 998442 cover freelance reporting, writing and press photography supplied by individuals who are not full time employees of a single media house. These professionals gather news, conduct interviews, capture images and create stories for newspapers, digital portals, television channels and brands on an assignment or retainer basis. Their invoices usually mention charges for freelance journalism, article writing or press photography, and GST liability on such work is decided using this SAC code and the applicable GST rate.

## 998442 SAC Code GST rate

Under GST, services by independent journalists and press photographers are treated as professional media and information services. The taxable value generally includes assignment fees, per story charges, image usage fees and retainers received for creating editorial or commercial content.

After the September 2025 revision, most journalist and media content services that are not specifically exempt fall under the standard 18% slab. Freelance journalists registered under GST should apply this rate on taxable supplies when they cross the threshold, and their business clients can usually claim input tax credit when the content is used for taxable activities.

**The table below shows the latest standard GST rate for SAC code 998442.**

| SAC code | Description | New GST rate (from 22 Sep 2025) | Old GST rate (till 21 Sep 2025) | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 998442 | Services of independent journalists and press photographers | 0% without ITC | 0% without ITC | Classification tables indicate this SAC as exempt, with a 0% GST rate, reflecting the exemption for services by way of collection or supply of news by independent journalists or similar suppliers. Inputs used exclusively for these exempt supplies do not allow ITC. |

While billing, freelancers should clearly describe the assignment, mention SAC 998442 and apply the correct GST rate so that both parties have a clean trail for returns and any future enquiry.

## Practical classification guidance

Independent journalists should normally use this code when they supply news reports, features or press photos. Other SAC codes in the same heading may apply when the main service is a news agency feed, online information portal, digital content platform or broadcasting activity rather than individual freelance work.

## Conclusion

This code is meant for independent journalist services such as freelance reporting, writing and press photography supplied to media and corporate clients. The service is generally taxed at 18% under GST when thresholds are crossed, so using the right code and rate in % keeps invoicing, input tax credit and return filing straightforward. Freelancers should watch for any fresh GST notifications and take advice in complex situations like cross border assignments or mixed editorial and advertising work.

## Explore more

### Other SAC services under 9984

- [998411: Carrier](https://busy.in/sac-code-998411/)
- [998412: Fixed Line Telephone](https://busy.in/sac-code-998412/)
- [998413: Mobile Telecom](https://busy.in/sac-code-998413/)
- [998414: Private Network](https://busy.in/sac-code-998414/)
- [998415: Data Transmission](https://busy.in/sac-code-998415/)
- [998419: Telecommunication](https://busy.in/sac-code-998419/)
- [998421: Internet Backbone](https://busy.in/sac-code-998421/)
- [998422: Broadband Internet](https://busy.in/sac-code-998422/)
- [998423: Online Fax](https://busy.in/sac-code-998423/)
- [998424: Video Conferencing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998424/)
- [998429: Internet Telecom](https://busy.in/sac-code-998429/)
- [998431: Online Information](https://busy.in/sac-code-998431/)
- [998432: Online Audio Streaming](https://busy.in/sac-code-998432/)
- [998433: Online Video Streaming](https://busy.in/sac-code-998433/)
- [998434: Software Download](https://busy.in/sac-code-998434/)
- [998435: E Book Download](https://busy.in/sac-code-998435/)
- [998439: Digital Content](https://busy.in/sac-code-998439/)
- [998441: News Agency](https://busy.in/sac-code-998441/)
- [998443: Audiovisual News](https://busy.in/sac-code-998443/)
- [998451: Library](https://busy.in/sac-code-998451/)
- [998452: Digital Archive](https://busy.in/sac-code-998452/)
- [998453: Historical Archive](https://busy.in/sac-code-998453/)
- [998461: Radio Broadcasting](https://busy.in/sac-code-998461/)
- [998462: Television Broadcast](https://busy.in/sac-code-998462/)
- [998463: Radio Channel](https://busy.in/sac-code-998463/)
- [998464: Television Programmes](https://busy.in/sac-code-998464/)
- [998465: Broadcasting](https://busy.in/sac-code-998465/)
- [998466: DTH](https://busy.in/sac-code-998466/)

### All SAC headings

- [99: All Services Accounting](https://busy.in/sac-code-99/)
- [9954: Services in building & construction](https://busy.in/sac-code-9954/)
- [9961: Services in wholesale trade](https://busy.in/sac-code-9961/)
- [9962: Services in retail trade](https://busy.in/sac-code-9962/)
- [9963: Accommodation, food & beverage services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9963/)
- [9964: Passenger transport services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9964/)
- [9965: Goods transport services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9965/)
- [9966: Rental services of transport vehicles](https://busy.in/sac-code-9966/)
- [9967: Supporting services in transport](https://busy.in/sac-code-9967/)
- [9968: Postal & courier services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9968/)
- [9969: Electricity, gas & water supply services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9969/)
- [9971: Financial & related services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9971/)
- [9972: Real estate services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9972/)
- [9973: Leasing or rental services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9973/)
- [9981: Research & development services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9981/)
- [9982: Legal & accounting services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9982/)
- [9983: Professional, technical & business services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9983/)
- [9984: Telecommunications & broadcasting supply services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9984/)
- [9985: Support services to business](https://busy.in/sac-code-9985/)
- [9986: Support services to agriculture, hunting, forestry & more](https://busy.in/sac-code-9986/)
- [9987: Maintenance, repair & installation services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9987/)
- [9988: Manufacturing services on physical inputs](https://busy.in/sac-code-9988/)
- [9989: Services in publishing, printing & bookbinding](https://busy.in/sac-code-9989/)
- [9991: Public administration & other services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9991/)
- [9992: Education services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9992/)
- [9993: Human health & social care services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9993/)
- [9994: Sewage & waste collection](https://busy.in/sac-code-9994/)
- [9995: Services of membership organizations](https://busy.in/sac-code-9995/)
- [9996: Recreational, cultural & sporting services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9996/)
- [9997: Other Services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9997/)