E-invoicing is shortly and more popularly known as e-invoice under GST. E-invoice is basically a system through which normally generated invoices are electronically authenticated by GSTN.
Mistakenly it is understood that e-invoice means the generation of invoice via GST portal. However, correctly, the same means submitting/ uploading of ERP/ accounting software generated invoice into Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for electronic authentication.
The present article tries to clear the basics of e-invoice; covers various stages of implementation of e-invoice and briefly explains the applicability of the same under GST.
Basics of e-invoice are highlighted hereunder-
GST council, for the very first time, recommended the implementation of e-invoicing under GST during the 35th GST Council meeting held on 21st June 2019. Hierarchy of implementation of e-invoice is tabulated hereunder-
Notification No. and date | Particulars of the notification | ||||||
Notification 68/2019- Central Tax dated 13th December 2019 | Amendments in provisions rule 48 (manner of issuing invoice) under Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 to incorporate e-invoicing. | ||||||
Notification 69/2019- Central Tax dated 13th December 2019 | Introduction of a set of common e-invoicing portal. | ||||||
Notification 70/2019- Central Tax dated 13th December 2019 |
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Notification 13/2020- Central Tax dated 21st March 2020 |
1. A banking company, 2. A non-banking financial company, 3. A financial institution, 4. An insurer, 5. A person engaged in supplying passenger transportation service, 6. A goods transport agency (GTA) supplying services, 7. A person engaged in supplying services in terms of admission of the exhibition of cinematograph films in the multiplex screen.
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Notification 61/2020- Central Tax dated 30th July 2020 |
In nut-shell, e-invoicing is made mandatory in B2B transactions for registered person having an aggregate turnover of more than INR 500 Crores (earlier it was notified as INR 100 Crores) in a financial year. |
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Notification 88/2020- Central Tax dated 10th November 2020 |
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Notification 05/2021- Central Tax dated 8th March 2021 |
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Stage-wise applicability of e-invoice under GST based on aggregate turnover is explained hereunder-
Effective date from which e-invoice became mandatory | Category of persons |
1st October 2020 | The person having an aggregate turnover of more than INR 500 Crores in a Financial year. |
1st January 2021 | The person having an aggregate turnover of more than INR 100 Crores in a Financial year. |
1st April 2021 | The person having an aggregate turnover of more than INR 50 Crores in a Financial year. |
However, e-invoice doesn’t apply to the following category of persons irrespective of their turnover-
1. Special Economic Zone units,
2. An insurer,
3. An NBFC,
4. A Goods Transport Agency,
5. A banking company,
6. A financial institution,
7. A person supplying passenger transportation services,
8. A person supplying services of admission to the exhibition of the cinematographic films in multiplex services.
Additionally, e-invoicing doesn’t apply to any person having an aggregate turnover of less than INR 100 Crores (INR 50 Crores from 1st April 2021) in a financial year.
Further, e-invoicing doesn’t apply in B2C transactions (i.e. supply of goods or services or both to an unregistered person).