Get Ready for E-Invoicing Compliance in India

India is on the Road to E‑invoicing

Mandatory e-invoicing is being rolled out in India in stages. In October 2020, it became mandatory for companies with a combined annual turnover exceeding INR 500 crore. Then, starting from January 1 2021, it was the turn of companies with a turnover of more than INR 100. On April 1 2021, the obligation was extended to companies with an annual turnover exceeding INR 20 crore, and then in 2022 for taxpayers with a turnover of more than INR 10 crore.

E-invoicing process description

In India, the CTC model was implemented based on the mandatory infrastructure of the invoice registration portal (IRP). All companies based or with branches in India are required to create e-invoices using their own systems, and submit them electronically to the Indian registration portal in JSON format for approval. All invoices receive an invoice reference number (IRN) and a QR code from which all invoice details can be read. The IRN is issued after a valid invoice has been approved, and invoices without an IRN are considered invalid. If this approval process is successful, digitally signed invoices are uploaded to the GST System. The company then receives proof of invoice registration and the approved invoice is available to the seller and buyer on the GST portal.

Implementation timeline

Since April 1 2022, all companies with a registered office or branch in India with a turnover of more than INR 20 crore and carrying out B2B transactions have been required to create e-invoices using their own systems and submit them electronically to the Indian Registration Portal (IRP).
Since October 1 2022, mandatory e-invoicing has applied to taxpayers with a turnover of more than INR 10 crore.
Since 1 January 2023, e-invoicing has been mandatory for businesses with a turnover of INR 5 crore ($630,000) and more.

How integrity and authenticity may be ensured?

The only method for ensuring the integrity and authenticity of e-invoices envisaged by legislation is to apply a digital signature in line with the Indian IT Act.

E-invoice format and platform

Electronic invoices must be generated in JSON format
The platform is Invoice Registration Portal (IRP)

Archiving requirements for e‑Invoicing in CountryName

Storage period is 8+1 years

Acts / Government sites

Why is Comarch the best choice?

We have 20+ years of experience in carrying out various EDI, e-invoicing, and other document exchange projects around the world. In those years, we have successfully connected more than 130,000 entities from over 60 countries.

1. Legal compliance
Full compliance with the latest data exchange regulations and modern data transfer standards
2. Digitization
Applying new technologies and IT solutions in order to streamline workflows and automate activities and procedures
3. Individual approach
Tailor-made solutions based on processes specific to each company – own road map and a suitable pace of changes
4.Security
Highest level of security for all sensitive and important company data

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the GST system?
The GST system is a portal for exchanging e-invoices in India. Once an invoice is sent in the correct format and assigned an IRN and QR code, it is forwarded to the GST system for registration. An approved invoice will be available for the seller and buyer on the GST portal.
2. What is an IRN number?
IRN is an invoice reference number received after correct invoice validation.
3. Who is obliged to send e-invoices?
All companies with headquarters or branches on Indian territory with 20 crores and above turnover must create e-invoices using their systems and send them electronically to the Indian Registration Portal in JSON format for validation.
Since October 1, 2022, mandatory electronic invoicing has been applied to taxpayers with a turnover of over INR 10 crore. In January 2023, e-invoicing became mandatory for businesses with a turnover of INR 5 crore ($630,000) and more.
4. How to select best e-invoicing solution and provider?
The best solution needs to be fully compliant with Indian requirements, capable of integrating with GST, and able to convert the e-invoice format requested by your partner to JSON. The best provider should have experience in providing similar services in other countries, so you are sure they are exchanging your sensitive data securely, reliably and most of all in line with governments’ requirements.