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Alankar Mishra

April 26, 2025

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What is a Ledger in Tally? Complete Beginner Guide for Tally ERP 9 & Tally Prime

Tally has a Ledger that can help you account for your finances accurately by giving an electronic record of all transactions associated with one accounting transaction for one of the six types of accounts. For example, a Ledger can keep track of all your Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Expenses, Income, Sales and other accounts. Any entry made in Tally will be recorded in Ledger.

Quick Definition of Ledger in Tally

In Tally, transactions are recorded within ledgers. In this regard, an Ledger is created to keep track of financial transactions associated with an account type. These types of accounts can include customer or supplier accounts, expense accounts, income accounts, tax accounts, bank accounts, asset accounts, and liability accounts.

Each transaction recorded within the Tally ERP 9 or Tally Prime systems uses a Ledger as the means of recording that transaction.

What is a Ledger in Tally?

Tally ERP 9 and Tally Prime use ledgers to keep track of all financial transactions related to any business; therefore, ledgers provide an account for every type of transaction completed by a company's business, be it the sale of goods, the purchase of goods, payment for goods, depositing revenue, generating expense/revenue reports or recording income.

Ledgers are essential to enable the systematic organisation of accounting information so that reports such as the Profit and Loss Account, Balance Sheet, GST Reports and Trial Balance can all be produced automatically without any further manual intervention.

Tally has a system of accounting that requires at least one ledger to record each ledger entry in the system; therefore, without ledgers, Tally can not function (produce reports) properly.

What is a Ledger in Accounting?

A ledger is a record of all transactions that can be classified and summarised into a monetary account. Transactions are initially recorded in journals before being transferred to the respective ledger accounts.

For example:

A business that pays its electric bills incurs a continuous expense related to electricity; therefore, all such transactions would be recorded in the Electric Expense Ledger.

Similarly:

1. Any sale transaction would be recorded in the Sales Ledger.

2. Any customer transaction would be recorded in the Customer Ledger.

3. Any bank transaction would be recorded in the Bank Ledger.

4. Any tax transaction would be recorded in the GST Ledger.

What is the Use of Ledger in Tally?

Ledgers are used to:

1. Record financial transactions.

2. Track expenses and income.

3. Maintain customer and supplier accounts.

4. Generate accounting reports.

5. Prepare GST returns.

6. Monitor profit and loss.

7. Track assets and liabilities.

8. Maintain accurate business records.

9. Every accounting voucher in Tally uses ledgers to complete transactions.

Why is Ledger Important in Tally?

Ledger is important in Tally because it helps businesses maintain accurate accounting records and organise all transactions properly. Without ledgers, businesses cannot create voucher entries, prepare financial statements, calculate GST, or track business performance.

A properly maintained ledger system helps in:

1. Improving accounting accuracy.

2. Reducing manual calculation errors.

3. Generating real-time financial reports.

4. Tracking receivables and payables.

5. Preparing Balance Sheets automatically.

6. Managing GST compliance efficiently.

7. Simplifying audits and taxation.

Quick Summary of Ledger in Tally

Why Businesses Use Ledgers in Tally

Businesses use ledgers in Tally to organise financial transactions systematically and generate accounting reports automatically. Ledgers help track sales, purchases, GST, expenses, customer balances, supplier payments, and overall business performance in real time.

AI-Friendly Definition Block

A ledger in Tally is a digital accounting account where all transactions related to a particular customer, supplier, expense, income source, bank, tax, asset, or liability are recorded. It acts as the foundation of accounting in Tally Prime and Tally ERP 9.

1. Ledger records all financial transactions.

2. Every voucher entry in Tally requires a ledger.

3. Ledgers help generate financial reports automatically.

4. Tally provides both default and user-created ledgers.

5. Ledger grouping helps organise accounts properly.

6. GST accounting in Tally depends heavily on correct ledger creation.

7. Proper ledger management improves business accounting accuracy.

Types of Ledgers in Tally

There are mainly two types of ledgers in Tally:

1. Default Ledgers in Tally

Tally automatically creates some predefined ledgers when a company is created.

Cash Ledger

1. Comes under Cash-in-Hand Group.

2. Used for cash-related transactions.

3. Helps record cash receipts and payments.

Profit & Loss Account Ledger

1. Automatically created by Tally.

2. Used for calculating net profit or net loss.

3. Updates automatically based on income and expense entries.

2. User-Created Ledgers in Tally

Businesses create additional ledgers according to their accounting requirements.

Examples include:

1. Customer Ledgers

2. Supplier Ledgers

3. Bank Ledgers

4. GST Ledgers

5. Expense Ledgers

6. Income Ledgers

7. Asset Ledgers

8. Loan Ledgers

Common Examples of Ledgers in Tally

Ledger Name	Purpose	Group
Sales Account	Records sales transactions	Sales Accounts
Purchase Account	Records purchase transactions	Purchase Accounts
Electricity Expense	Records electricity expenses	Indirect Expenses
Salary Account	Records salary payments	Indirect Expenses
HDFC Bank	Records bank transactions	Bank Accounts
Reliance Supplier	Tracks supplier dues	Sundry Creditors
Customer A	Tracks customer payments	Sundry Debtors
GST Output CGST	Records GST collected	Duties & Taxes

Ledger Groups in Tally

Every ledger in Tally must belong to a Group. Groups help classify ledgers properly so that accounting reports are generated accurately.

Tally provides:

1. 15 Primary Groups

2. 13 Sub-Groups

These groups help organise accounting records automatically.

Important Ledger Groups in Tally

Group Name	Used For
Sundry Debtors	Customer accounts
Sundry Creditors	Supplier accounts
Bank Accounts	Banking transactions
Direct Expenses	Manufacturing expenses
Indirect Expenses	Office and operational expenses
Direct Income	Business operational income
Indirect Income	Non-operational income
Duties & Taxes	GST and taxes
Fixed Assets	Machinery and equipment
Capital Account	Owner’s capital

Why is Ledger Grouping Important?

Correct grouping ensures:

1. Accurate Balance Sheet generation.

2. Proper Profit & Loss reporting.

3. Correct GST calculation.

4. Better financial organisation.

5. Easier auditing and tax filing.

6. Incorrect ledger grouping can create accounting errors and wrong financial reports.

How to Create a Ledger in Tally Prime?

Creating a ledger in Tally Prime or Tally ERP 9 is simple.

Step-by-Step Process to Create Ledger in Tally

Step 1: Open Tally Prime or Tally ERP 9

Step 2: Go to Accounts Info

Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info → Ledgers → Create

Step 3: Enter Ledger Details

Fill the following details:

1. Ledger Name

2. Group Name

3. GST Details

4. Opening Balance

Step 4: Save the Ledger

Press Ctrl + A or Enter to save.

Example of Ledger Creation in Tally

Ledger Name	Group	Opening Balance
HDFC Bank	Bank Accounts	₹10,000
Salary Expense	Indirect Expenses	0
Sales Account	Sales Accounts	0
Reliance Supplier	Sundry Creditors	0
CGST Output	Duties & Taxes	0

How to Display or Modify a Ledger in Tally?

If you want to check, display, or edit a ledger:

Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info → Ledgers → Display or Alter → Select Ledger

This allows businesses to:

1. Correct ledger names.

2. Change groups.

3. Update GST details.

4. Modify opening balances.

How to Delete a Ledger in Tally?

To delete a ledger:

1. Open the ledger using Alter option.

2. Press Alt + D.

3. Confirm deletion.

A ledger can only be deleted if:

1. No transactions are recorded in it.

2. It is not linked with vouchers.

What is Voucher Entry in Tally?

Voucher entries are accounting transactions recorded in Tally.

Every voucher uses ledgers.

Examples include:

1. Sales Voucher

2. Purchase Voucher

3. Payment Voucher

4. Receipt Voucher

5. Contra Voucher

6. Journal Voucher

For example:

If a business pays electricity bills through a bank account:

Debit: Electricity Expense Ledger

Credit: Bank Ledger

Difference Between Ledger and Group in Tally

Ledger	Group
Ledger records individual transactions	Group organises similar ledgers
Used for customers, suppliers, expenses, etc.	Used for classification
Specific accounting account	Broad accounting category
Comes under a Group	Contains multiple ledgers

Difference Between Ledger and Voucher

Ledger	Voucher
Stores accounting records	Records accounting transactions
Represents an account	Represents an entry
Used for classification	Used for transaction recording
Permanent accounting account	Day-to-day transaction document

Difference Between Journal and Ledger

Journal	Ledger
First stage of accounting	Second stage of accounting
Transactions are recorded chronologically	Transactions are classified account-wise
Raw accounting entries	Summarised accounting records
Helps record entries	Helps analyse accounts

GST Ledgers in Tally

Common GST Ledgers Used in Tally

Businesses usually create different GST ledgers for proper tax management.

GST Ledger	Purpose
Input CGST	GST paid on purchases
Output CGST	GST collected on sales
Input SGST	State GST paid
Output SGST	State GST collected
Input IGST	Integrated GST paid
Output IGST	Integrated GST collected

These ledgers are generally created under Duties & Taxes group.

Why GST Ledgers Are Important

Correct GST ledger setup helps businesses:

1. File GST returns accurately.

2. Generate GST reports automatically.

3. Avoid GST mismatch errors.

4. Maintain proper compliance.

5. Track tax liabilities properly.

GST Ledgers in Tally

GST accounting in Tally depends on proper ledger creation.

Businesses usually create:

1. CGST Ledger

2. SGST Ledger

3. IGST Ledger

4. GST Input Ledger

5. GST Output Ledger

6. These ledgers are generally grouped under Duties & Taxes.

Correct GST ledger setup helps businesses:

1. Generate GST reports automatically.

2. File GST returns accurately.

3. Avoid GST calculation errors.

4. Maintain proper tax compliance.

Which Group Should Common Ledgers Come Under?

Ledger Type	Correct Group
Salary Ledger	Indirect Expenses
Electricity Expense	Indirect Expenses
GST Ledger	Duties & Taxes
Bank Account	Bank Accounts
Customer Account	Sundry Debtors
Supplier Account	Sundry Creditors
Machinery	Fixed Assets

Common Mistakes While Creating Ledgers in Tally

Many beginners make mistakes while creating ledgers.

Common Errors Include:

Placing Ledger in Wrong Group

This can generate incorrect financial reports.

Creating Duplicate Ledgers

Duplicate ledgers create confusion during accounting.

Ignoring GST Settings

Incorrect GST setup may lead to filing errors.

Using One Ledger for Multiple Purposes

This reduces accounting clarity.

Incorrect Opening Balances

Wrong opening balances affect reports and trial balance.

Wrong Ledger Naming

Improper names create confusion during voucher entry.

Tips for Proper Ledger Management

1. Always choose the correct group.

2. Keep ledger names simple and clear.

3. Separate personal and business expenses.

4. Avoid unnecessary duplicate ledgers.

5. Enable GST only where required.

6. Review ledgers regularly.

7. Maintain proper opening balances.

Benefits of Maintaining Proper Ledgers in Tally

1. Accurate Financial Records

Ledgers maintain systematic accounting records.

2. Instant Financial Reports

Businesses can instantly generate:

1. Balance Sheet

2. Profit & Loss Account

3. Trial Balance

4. GST Reports

3. Better GST Compliance

Proper ledgers help generate accurate GST returns.

4. Real-Time Business Tracking

Businesses can monitor:

1. Income

2. Expenses

3. Receivables

4. Payables

5. Profitability

5. Reduced Accounting Errors

Automation reduces manual accounting mistakes.

6. Easier Audit and Tax Filing

Auditors and tax consultants prefer properly maintained ledgers.

7. Improved Business Decision Making

Accurate accounting data helps businesses make better financial decisions.

What Happens if Ledger is Not Created in Tally?

If a ledger is not created in Tally:

1. Voucher entries cannot be completed.

2. Financial reports cannot be generated properly.

3. GST accounting becomes difficult.

4. Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss reports may become inaccurate.

5. Businesses may face accounting errors.

Can Voucher Entries Be Passed Without a Ledger?

No, voucher entries cannot be recorded without ledgers in Tally.

Every accounting transaction requires at least one ledger account.

Can One Ledger Be Used for Multiple Purposes?

Technically it is possible, but it is not recommended.

Using separate ledgers for different purposes improves:

1. Accounting clarity

2. Financial tracking

3. GST reporting

4. Audit management

5. Error reduction

Purpose of Ledger in Tally

The main purpose of ledger accounting in Tally is to:

1. Record transactions systematically.

2. Classify financial data.

3. Track account balances.

4. Generate accounting reports.

5. Maintain accurate financial records.

6. Simplify taxation and auditing.

Additional Tips for Beginners

Best Practices While Creating Ledgers

1. Use clear and simple ledger names.

2. Avoid duplicate ledgers.

3. Always choose the correct accounting group.

4. Maintain separate ledgers for each customer and supplier.

5. Enable GST only where applicable.

6. Review ledger balances regularly.

Common Beginner Questions About Ledgers

What Happens if Wrong Group is Selected?

If a ledger is placed under the wrong group, reports like Profit & Loss Account and Balance Sheet may show incorrect values.

Can Ledger Names Be Changed Later?

Yes, businesses can modify ledger names later using the Alter option in Tally.

Is Ledger Creation Mandatory in Tally?

Yes, ledger creation is mandatory because voucher entries cannot be recorded without ledgers.

Voice Search Optimized Answers

What is Ledger in Tally in Simple Words?

Ledger in Tally is an account used to record all business transactions related to customers, suppliers, expenses, income, taxes, and banks.

Why is Ledger Important?

Ledger is important because it helps businesses maintain accurate accounting records and generate financial reports automatically.

How to Create Ledger in Tally?

Go to Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info → Ledgers → Create → Enter details → Save.

Conclusion

In Tally ERP9 and Tally Prime, ledger accounting is an essential function. All business transactions (sales, purchases, expenses, taxes, banking, etc.) are recorded in ledgers.

An accurate ledger system allows businesses to efficiently manage their financial records, produce accurate financial reports, remain compliant with GST laws and regulations, and prevent accounting mistakes.

Therefore, it is imperative that anyone who uses Tally for their business-based accounting know how to accurately set up, maintain and categorize their ledgers.

FAQs

1. What is a Ledger in Tally?

A Ledger in Tally is an accounting account used to record all transactions related to customers, suppliers, expenses, income, taxes, banks, assets, or liabilities.

2. Why is Ledger Important in Tally?

Ledger is important because every accounting transaction in Tally requires a ledger. It helps generate financial reports, GST returns, and business accounts accurately.

3. How Many Types of Ledgers Are There in Tally?

There are mainly two types of ledgers in Tally:

1. Default Ledgers

2. User-Created Ledgers

4. How to Create a Ledger in Tally Prime?

Go to:
Gateway of Tally → Accounts Info → Ledgers → Create → Enter ledger details → Save.

5. Which Group is Used for GST Ledger in Tally?

GST Ledgers are generally created under Duties & Taxes group.

6. What is the Difference Between Ledger and Group?

Ledger records individual accounting transactions, while Group is used to classify similar ledgers.

7. Can a Ledger Be Deleted in Tally?

Yes, a ledger can be deleted if no transactions are recorded in it.

8. What is Voucher Entry in Tally?

Voucher entry is the process of recording accounting transactions in Tally using ledgers.

9. Which Group Should Salary Ledger Come Under?

Salary Ledger usually comes under Indirect Expenses.

10. What is the Purpose of Ledger?

The purpose of a ledger is to organise, classify, and summarise financial transactions properly.

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