Here’s a detailed overview of E-Invoicing under GST for FY 2025–26, as per the latest norms under the Goods and Services Tax Act:
📄 What is E-Invoicing?
E-Invoicing is the system where B2B invoices, debit notes, and credit notes are electronically authenticated by the GST Network (GSTN) through an Invoice Reference Number (IRN). The data is then auto-populated into GSTR returns and the e-way bill system.
🎯 Objective of E-Invoicing
- Eliminate fake invoices
- Seamless flow of ITC
- Standardization of invoice data
- Auto-population of returns and reduction in errors
🧾 Who is Required to Generate E-Invoices? (Turnover-Based)
| Turnover (in any FY from 2017-18 onward) | Applicability |
| > ₹100 Cr | From 1 Oct 2020 |
| > ₹50 Cr | From 1 April 2021 |
| > ₹20 Cr | From 1 April 2022 |
| > ₹10 Cr | From 1 Oct 2022 |
| > ₹5 Cr (latest threshold) | From 1 August 2023 |
⚠️ Mandatory for B2B, exports, SEZ, and deemed exports
❌ Not applicable to B2C invoices, composition dealers, banks, NBFCs, or insurers
🔁 E-Invoicing Process Flow
- Generate invoice in your accounting/billing software using the prescribed schema
- Send invoice data in JSON format to Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) (e.g., einvoice1.gst.gov.in)
- IRP:
- Validates & assigns IRN
- Digitally signs the invoice
- Returns QR code + digitally signed e-invoice
- Supplier issues this signed invoice with QR code to the recipient
📋 Mandatory Fields in E-Invoice
- Supplier & Recipient GSTIN
- Invoice number & date
- Item details: HSN, quantity, rate, taxable value
- Tax details: CGST, SGST/IGST, Cess
- Invoice value
- Payment terms
- QR Code (from IRP)
- IRN (Invoice Reference Number)
💡 Benefits of E-Invoicing
- Eliminates data entry errors
- Auto-population of GSTR-1
- Real-time invoice reporting
- Faster ITC reconciliation
- Reduction in tax evasion
⚙️ Integration with GST and E-Way Bill
- Part A of e-way bill auto-filled from e-invoice data
- GSTR-1 auto-populated
- No need to upload invoices separately
📆 Time Limit for IRN Generation
- Within 7 days of invoice date (as per advisory issued by NIC)
- Back-dated IRNs not allowed after time limit lapses
❌ Penalties for Non-Compliance
| Non-compliance | Penalty |
| Not issuing e-invoice (if applicable) | ₹10,000 per invoice or 100% of tax due |
| Incorrect e-invoice | ₹25,000 per invoice |
🌐 E-Invoicing Portals (IRPs)
- https://einvoice1.gst.gov.in
- https://einvoice6.gst.gov.in
- Other approved IRPs also available