GST e-invoicing means creation of GST invoices by tax payers on their own Accounting / Billing / ERP systems and thereafter uploading the specified particulars of invoice (in FORM GST INV-01) on Invoice Registration Portal (IRP).
Thereafter the IRP returns the e-invoice with a unique Invoice Reference Number (IRN) after digitally signing the e-invoice and adding a QR code. The, the invoice can be issued to the receiver (along with QR Code). A GST invoice will be valid only with a valid IRN.
As per Rule 48(4) of the CGST Rules, 2017 read with Notification No. 68/2019 – Central Tax Dated 13-12-2019, 13/2020-Central Tax dated 21-3-2020 & 61/2020 – Central Tax dated 30-7-2020 and Notification No. 70/2020- Central tax dated 30-9-2020 registered persons having turnover exceeding Rs 500 Crore in any of the last three Financial Years viz FY 2017-18, 2018-19 or 2019-20, has to do GST e-invoicing from 1st October,2020 in respect of supplies to registered persons (B2B), supplies to SEZ (with / without payment), Exports (with / without payment) , Deemed Exports, by notified class of tax payers. It may be noted that e-invoicing is not applicable for import Bill of Entry.
However SEZ units including Free Trade & Warehousing Zones (SEZ developers not exempt) , Insurer, banking companies or financial institution, including NBFC, GTA, supplier of passenger transportation service and Multiplexes are exempt from the e-invoicing mandate.
Also e-invoicing is not applicable to invoices issued by Input service distributors as such invoices are for distribution of ITC and not for outward supplies.
Further keeping in view the hardships faced by the taxpayers due to COVID-19 lockdown and as some of these taxpayers are still not ready, as a last chance, Government had given relaxation vide Notification No. 73/2020- Central Tax dated 01-10-2020 that invoices raised by notified taxpayers during October, 2020 without following e-invoice procedure (i.e. uploading invoice details on e-invoice portal (IRP), obtaining IRN and issuing invoice with QR Code) will be deemed to be valid and no penalty will be there if the IRN for such invoices is obtained within 30 days of date of invoice.
Later amendment was made in GST e-invoicing Notification No. 13/2020-Central Tax dated 21-3-2020 vide Notification No. 88/2020- Central Tax dated 10-11-2020 vide which the requirement of GST e-invoicing was extended to tax payers having aggregate turnover exceeding Rs 100 Crore in any of the last three Financial Years viz FY 2017-18, 2018-19 or 2019-20, w.e.f. 1st January, 2021.
In regard to the GST e-invoicing, National Informatics Centre (NIC) has on 4th January, 2021 issued a list of GSTINs for whom e-invoicing shall be mandatory.
The List of GSTINs as issued by NIC can be accessed by clicking of following link : https://einvoice1.gst.gov.in/Others/GSTINsGeneratingIRN
Follow us for free tax updates : facebook Twitter
***
Subscribe our portal and get FREE Tax e-books , quality articles and updates on your e-mail.
Resolve your GST queries from national level experts on GST free of cost.
TW Editorial Team comprises of team of experienced Chartered Accountants and Advocates devoted to spread the knowledge of GST amongst the various stakeholders.