Who must generate E-Invoices in GST?

Who must generate E-Invoices in GST?

e-Invoicing denotes electronic invoicing. Just like how a GST-registered business uses an e-way bill while transporting goods from one place to another. Similarly, certain notified GST-registered businesses must generate e-invoices for Business-to-Business (B2B) transactions.

What is e-invoicing under GST?

‘e-Invoicing’ or ‘electronic invoicing’ is a system in which B2B invoices and a few other documents are authenticated electronically by GSTN for further use on the common GST portal.

In its 35th meeting, the GST Council decided to implement a system of e-Invoicing, covering specific categories of persons, mostly large enterprises. Later on, it has been expanded to cover mid-sized businesses and small businesses as well.

e-Invoicing does not imply the generation of invoices on the GST portal but it means submitting an already generated standard invoice on a common e-invoice portal. Thus, it automates multi-purpose reporting with a one-time input of invoice details. The CBIC notified a set of common portals to prepare e-invoices via Notification No.69/2019 – Central Tax.

Under the electronic invoicing system, an identification number will be issued against every invoice by the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP), managed by the GST Network (GSTN). The National Informatics Centre launched the first IRP at einvoice1.gst.gov.in.

All invoice information gets transferred from this portal to both the GST portal and e-way bill portal in real time. Therefore, it eliminates the need for manual data entry while filing GSTR-1 returns and generation of part-A of the e-way bills, as the information is passed directly by the IRP to the GST portal.

Who must generate e-invoices?

Turnover limit

PhaseApplicable to taxpayers having an aggregate turnover of more thanApplicable dateNotification number
IRs 500 crore01.10.202061/2020 – Central Tax and 70/2020 – Central Tax
IIRs 100 crore01.01.202188/2020 – Central Tax
IIIRs 50 crore01.04.2021
5/2021 – Central Tax
IVRs 20 crore01.04.20221/2022 – Central Tax
VRs 10 crore01.10.202217/2022 – Central Tax

The taxpayers must comply with e-invoicing in FY 2022-23 and onwards if their turnover exceeds the specified limit in any financial year from 2017-18 to 2021-22. Also, the aggregate turnover will include the turnover of all GSTINs under a single PAN across India.

If the turnover in the last FY was below the threshold limit but it increased beyond the threshold limit in the current year, then e-Invoicing would apply from the beginning of the next financial year i.e. FY 2023-24.

Suppose, ABC ltd aggregate turnover was as follows-
FY 2017-18: Rs 15 crore
FY 2018-19: Rs 17 crore
FY 2019-20: Rs 24 crore
FY 2020-21: Rs 19 crore
FY 2021-22: Rs 18 crore

Suppose, QPR ltd started business in FY 2019-20 and earned aggregate turnover as follows-
FY 2019-20: Rs 4 crore
FY 2020-21: Rs 7 crore
FY 2021-22: Rs 11 crore

ABC Ltd shall mandatorily generate e-invoices from 01.04.2022 irrespective of the current year’s aggregate turnover as it has crossed the Rs 20 crore turnover limit in FY 2019-20.

On the other hand, QPR ltd should comply with e-Invoicing from 1st October 2022 since its previous year’s annual turnover exceeds Rs.10 crore.

Transactions and documents covered

The e-Invoicing system covers the following-

DocumentsTransactions
Tax invoices, credit notes and debit notes under Section 34 of the CGST ActTaxable Business-to-Business sale of goods or services, Business-to-government sale of goods or services, exports, deemed exports, supplies to SEZ (with or without tax payment), stock transfers or supply of services to distinct persons, SEZ developers, and supplies under reverse charge covered by Section 9(3) of the CGST Act.

Who need not comply with e-Invoicing?

However, irrespective of the turnover, e-Invoicing shall not be applicable to the following categories of registered persons for now, as notified in CBIC Notification No.13/2020 – Central Tax, amended from time to time-

Notified BusinesesDocumentsTransactions
1)An insurer or a banking company or a financial institution, including an NBFC
2) A Goods Transport Agency (GTA)
3) A registered person supplying passenger transportation services
4) A registered person supplying services by way of admission to the exhibition of cinematographic films in multiplex services
5) An SEZ unit (excluded via CBIC Notification No. 61/2020 – Central Tax)
6) A government department and Local authority (excluded via CBIC Notification No. 23/2021 – Central Tax)
7) Persons registered in terms of Rule 14 of CGST Rules (OIDAR)
Delivery challans, Bill of supply, financial or commercial credit note or debit note, bill of entry, and ISD invoices.Any Business-to-Consumers (B2C) sales, Nil-rated or non-taxable or exempt B2B sale of goods or services, nil-rated or non-taxable or exempt B2G sale of goods or services, imports, high sea sales and bonded warehouse sales, Free Trade & Warehousing Zones (FTWZ), and supplies under reverse charge covered by Section 9(4) of the CGST Act.

Systems before & after e-invoicing

Before e-invoicing could apply, businesses generated invoices through various software, and the details of these invoices were manually uploaded in the GSTR-1 return or using ERP.

Once the respective suppliers file the GSTR-1, the invoice information gets reflected in GSTR-2B for the recipients. On the other hand, the consignor or transporters had to generate e-way bills by again importing the invoices in Excel or JSON manually or via ERP.

Under the e-invoicing system, the process of generating and uploading invoice details will remain the same. It’s done by importing using the Excel tool/JSON or via API integration, either directly or through a GST Suvidha Provider (GSP). The data will seamlessly flow for GSTR-1 preparation and for the e-way bill generation too. The e-invoicing system will be the key tool to enable this.

Process of getting an e-invoice

The following are the stages involved in generating or raising an e-invoice.

  1. The taxpayer must ensure the use of the reconfigured ERP system as per PEPPOL standards. He could coordinate with the software service provider to incorporate the standard set for e-invoicing, i.e. e-invoice schema (standards), and must have the mandatory parameters notified by the CBIC, at least.
  2. Any taxpayer has got primarily two options for IRN generation:
    • The IP address of the computer system can be whitelisted on the e-invoice portal for a direct API integration or integration via GST Suvidha Provider (GSP) 
    • Download the bulk generation tool to bulk upload invoices. It will generate a JSON file that can be uploaded to the e-invoice portal to generate IRNs in bulk.
  3. The taxpayer must thereafter raise a regular invoice on that software. He must give all the necessary details like billing name and address, GSTN of the supplier, transaction value, item rate, GST rate applicable, tax amount, etc.
  4. Once either of the above options is chosen, raise the invoice on the respective ERP software or billing software. Thereafter, upload the details of the invoice, especially mandatory fields, onto the IRP using the JSON file or via an application service provider (app or through GSP) or through direct API. The IRP will act as the central registrar for e-invoicing and its authentication. There are several other modes of interacting with IRP, such as SMS-based and mobile app-based.
  5. IRP will validate the key details of the B2B invoice, check for any duplications and generate an invoice reference number (hash) for reference. There are four parameters based on which IRN is generated: Seller GSTIN, invoice number, FY in YYYY-YY, and document type (INV/DN/CN).
  6. IRP generates the invoice reference number (IRN), digitally signs the invoice and creates a QR code in Output JSON for the supplier. On the other hand, the seller of the supply will get intimated of the e-invoice generation through email (if provided in the invoice).
  7. IRP will send the authenticated payload to the GST portal for GST returns. Additionally, details will be forwarded to the e-way bill portal, if applicable. The GSTR-1 of the seller gets auto-filled for the relevant tax period. In turn, it determines the tax liability.

A taxpayer can continue to print his invoice as being done presently with a logo. The e-invoicing system only mandates all taxpayers to report invoices on IRP in electronic format.

Benefits of e-Invoicing to businesses

Businesses will have the following benefits by using e-invoice initiated by GSTN-

  1. e-Invoice resolves and plugs a major gap in data reconciliation under GST to reduce mismatch errors.
  2. e-Invoices created on one software can be read by another, allowing interoperability and helping reduce data entry errors.
  3. Real-time tracking of invoices prepared by the supplier is enabled by e-invoice.
  4. Backward integration and automation of the GST return filing process – the relevant details of the invoices would be auto-populated in the various returns, especially for generating the part-A of e-way bills.
  5. Faster availability of genuine input tax credit.
  6. Lesser possibility of audits/surveys by the tax authorities since the information they require is available at a transaction level.
  7. Faster and easy access to formal credit routes such as invoice discounting or financing, especially for small businesses.
  8. Improved customer relations and growth in prospects for small businesses to do business with large enterprises.

How can e-invoicing curb tax evasion?

It will help in curbing tax evasion in the following ways-

  • Tax authorities will have access to transactions as they take place in real-time since the e-invoice will have to be compulsorily generated through the GST portal.
  • There will be less scope for manipulating invoices since the invoice gets generated before a transaction.
  • It will reduce the chances of fake GST invoices, and only genuine input tax credit can be claimed as all invoices need to be generated through the GST portal. Since the input credit can be matched with output tax details, it becomes easier for GSTN to track fake tax credit claims.

What are the mandatory fields of an e-invoice?

e-Invoice must primarily adhere to the GST invoicing rules. Apart from this, it should also accommodate the invoicing system or policies followed by each industry or sector in India. Certain information is made mandatory, whereas the rest of it is optional for businesses. Many fields are also made optional, and users can only choose to fill up relevant fields. It has also described every field along with the sample inputs for the interested users. One can see that certain required fields from the e-way bill format are included now in the e-invoice, such as the sub-supply type.

Below is the gist of the contents of the latest e-invoice format as notified on 30th July 2020 via Notification No.60/2020 – Central Tax:

  1. 12 sections (mandatory + optional) and six annexures consisting of a total of 138 fields.
  2. Out of the 12 sections, five are mandatory, and seven are optional. Two annexures are mandatory.
  3. The five mandatory sections are basic details, supplier information, recipient information, invoice item details, and document total. The two mandatory annexures are details of the items and the document total.

The following fields must be compulsorily be declared in an e-invoice:  

Sl. no.Name of the fieldList of choices/ specifications/sample InputsRemarks
1Document Type CodeEnumerated List such as INV/CRN/DBNType of document must be specified
2Supplier_Legal NameString Max length: 100 Legal name of the supplier must be as per the PAN card
3Supplier_GSTINMax length: 15  Must be alphanumeric GSTIN of the supplier raising the e-invoice
4Supplier_AddressMax length: 100 Building/Flat no., Road/Street, Locality, etc. of the supplier raising the e-invoice
5Supplier_PlaceMax length: 50 Supplier’s location such as city/town/village must be mentioned
6Supplier_State_CodeEnumerated list of statesThe state must be selected from the latest list given by GSTN
7Supplier PincodeSix digit codeThe place (locality/district/state) of the supplier’s locality
8Document NumberMax length: 16 Sample can be “ Sa/1/2019”For unique identification of the invoice, a sequential number is required within the business context, time frame, operating systems and records of the supplier. No identification scheme is to be used.
9Preceeding_Invoice_Reference and dateMax length:16 Sample input is  “ Sa/1/2019” and “16/11/2020”Detail of original invoice which is being amended by a subsequent document such as a debit and credit note. It is required to keep future expansion of e-versions of credit notes, debit notes and other documents required under GST.
10Document DateString (DD/MM/YYYY) as per the technical field specificationThe date when the invoice was issued. However, the format under explanatory notes refers to ‘YYYY-MM-DD’. Further clarity will be required. Document period start and end date must also be specified if selected.
11Recipient_ Legal NameMax length: 100The name of the buyer as per the PAN
12Recipient’s GSTINMax length: 15The GSTIN of the buyer to be declared here
13Recipient’s AddressMax length: 100Building/flat no., road/street, locality, etc. of the supplier raising the e-invoice
14Recipient’s State CodeEnumerated listThe place of supply state code to be selected here
15Place_Of_Supply_State_ CodeEnumerated list of statesThe state must be selected from the latest list given by GSTN
16PincodeSix digit codeThe place (locality/district/state) of the buyer on whom the invoice is raised/ billed to must be declared here if any
17Recipient PlaceMax length: 100Recipient’s location (City/Town/Village)
18IRN- Invoice Reference NumberMax length: 64 Sample is ‘a5c12dca8 0e7433217…ba4013 750f2046f229’At the time of the registration request, this field is left empty by the supplier. Later on, a unique number will be generated by GSTN after uploading the e-invoice on the GSTN portal. An acknowledgement will be sent back to the supplier after the successful acceptance of the e-invoice by the portal. IRN should then be displayed on the e-invoice before use.
19ShippingTo_GSTINMax length: 15GSTIN of the buyer himself or the person to whom the particular item is being delivered to
20Shipping To_State, Pincode and State codeMax length: 100 for state, 6 digit pincode and enumerated list for codeState pertaining to the place to which the goods and services invoiced were or are delivered
21Dispatch From_ Name, Address, Place and PincodeMax length: 100 each and 6 digit for pincodeEntity’s details (name, and city/town/village) from where goods are dispatched
22Is_ServiceString (Length: 1) by selecting Y/NWhether or not supply of service must be mentioned
23Supply Type CodeEnumerated list of codes Sample values can be either of B2B/B2C/ SEZWP/S EZWOP/E XP WP/EXP WOP/DE XPCode will be used to identify types of supply such as business to business, business to consumer, supply to SEZ/exports with or without payment, and deemed export.
24Item DescriptionMax length: 300 The sample value is ‘Mobile’ The schema document refers to this as the ‘identification scheme identifier of the Item classification identifier’Simply put, the relevant description is generally used for the item in the trade. However, more clarity is needed on how it needs to be described for every two or more items belonging to the same HSN code. 
25HSN CodeMax length: 8The applicable HSN code for particular goods/service must be entered
26Item_PriceDecimal (12,3) Sample value is ‘50’The unit price, exclusive of GST, before subtracting item price discount, can not be negative
27Assessable ValueDecimal (13,2) Sample value is ‘5000’The price of an item, exclusive of GST, after subtracting the item price discount. Hence, gross price (-) discount = net price item, if any cash discount is provided at the time of sale
28GST RateDecimal (3,2) Sample value is ‘5’The GST rate represented as a percentage that is applicable to the item being invoiced
29IGST Value, CGST Value and SGST Value SeparatelyDecimal (11,2) Sample value is ‘650.00’For each individual item, IGST, CGST and SGST amounts have to be specified
30Total Invoice ValueDecimal (11,2)The total amount of the Invoice with GST. Must be rounded to a maximum of 2 decima
Created & Posted by (Aashu)
Article Assistant at TAXAJ

TAXAJ is a consortium of CA, CS, Advocates & Professionals from specific fields to provide you a One Stop Solution for all your Business, Financial, Taxation & Legal Matters under One Roof. Some of them are: Launch Your Start-Up Company/Business, Trademark & Brand Registration, Digital Marketing, E-Stamp Paper Online, Closure of Business, Legal Services, Payroll Services, etc. For any further queries related to this or anything else visit TAXAJ

Watch all the Informational Videos here: YouTube Channel

TAXAJ Corporate Services LLP
Address: 1/11, 1st Floor, Sulahkul Vihar, Old Palam Road, Dwarka, Delhi-110078
Contact: 8961228919 ; 8802812345 | E-Mail: connect@taxaj.com
    • Related Articles

    • GST E-Invoicing Limit, Rules, Starting Date

      E-Invoice Under GST Act, Limits, Rules, Starting Date The submission of e-Way Bills on the common GST portal facilitates the transportation of goods from one place to another. Additionally, at its 35th meeting, the GST Council had resolved to ...
    • GST e invoicing turnover limit

      e-Invoicing denotes electronic invoicing. Just like how a GST-registered business uses an e-way bill while transporting goods from one place to another. Similarly, certain notified GST-registered businesses must generate e-invoices for ...
    • E-Invoicing for businesses above Rs.50 crore turnover

      The Central Board of Direct taxes and Customs (CBIC) has made the e-invoicing system mandatory for taxpayers with a turnover higher than Rs.50 crore from 01st April 2021. Who should comply with e-Invoicing and Roadmap Notified? The ...
    • Advantages of E-invoicing System in GST

      Introduction The GST Council, in its 35th meeting held on 21stJune 2019, has recommended the introduction of electronic invoices (‘e-invoice’) in GST in a phased manner on a voluntary basis for online generation of B2B e-invoices from January 2020. ...
    • Mandatory fields in GST Invoicing

      What is the GST Invoice? If you are a GST-registered business, you are probably familiar with a GST invoice. However, for all the customers, here is a quick brief.   A GST-compliance purchase invoice contains the details of the parties involved in ...