India e-Invoicing Mandate

This guide provides an overview of e-Invoicing requirements in India, including the legal framework, the use of the IRP (Invoice Registration Portal) platform, compliance obligations, and key reporting considerations. It is intended to assist businesses that issue or receive invoices for transactions subject to VAT in India.

Groep 427320837.png

Belastingdienst

GST Council (GSTC)

Startdatum van het mandaat

1 August 2023

Digitale handtekening

Required

Archivering

Verplicht - 5 jaar

Factuurformaat

JSON (formulier GST INV-1), PDF, papier

India introduced mandatory e-invoicing under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime to enhance tax compliance, reduce fraud, and enable real-time invoice validation. The system operates under a hard-clearance model via the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP), supervised by the Goods and Services Tax Council (GSTC). Initially introduced for large taxpayers, the mandate has progressively expanded and now applies to businesses exceeding a defined turnover threshold. India combines mandatory B2B and B2G e-invoicing with compulsory real-time digital reporting and QR code validation. The system integrates CGST, SGST, and IGST components under a centralised validation infrastructure.

Details van de opdracht
Status van het mandaat
Welke soorten transacties moeten via e-Invoicing worden gemeld?
verplicht

Effective: August 2023

India’s e-Invoicing mandate is fully active.

Transacties binnen de Gemeenschap

Grensoverschrijdende export- en importtransacties

Transport- en verzendtransacties

B2B: Mandatory (if threshold met)

B2G: Mandatory (if threshold met)

B2C: E-invoicing voluntary, but digital reporting required QR code mandatory only for certain large suppliers

Cross-border:
Imports and exports – in scope Transport/Shipping – in scope

Zijn er drempels die bepalen of e-Invoicing ?

Yes: Mandatory for businesses with aggregate annual turnover exceeding INR 5 Crore (approx. EUR 560,000) in any preceding financial year.
Applicable from 1 August 2023. No transaction-value threshold.
  • Belastingplichtigen die kiezen voor de forfaitaire regeling
  • Organisaties uit de derde sector met een omzet/inkomsten van 65.000 euro of meer
  • Micro-ondernemingen met een omzet of inkomsten van 25.000 euro of meer
  • Alle belastingplichtigen die in Italië wonen of gevestigd zijn, indien hun jaaromzet hoger is dan 25.000 euro
  • Amateursportverenigingen

What are the implementation dates of the e-Invoicing mandate?

Transactietype
1 Oct 2020
1 Jan 2021
1 Apr 2022
1 Aug 2023
1 Oct 2024
2030 (EU ViDA)
Lokaal - B2G (Openbaar)
*
N.v.t.
Lokaal - B2B (binnenlands)
*
N.v.t.
Lokaal - B2C (binnenlands)
**
N.v.t.
Lokaal - Grensoverschrijdende rapportage
N.v.t.
Buitenland - B2B/B2C (nog niet gevestigd)
***
***
***
***
***
Mandatory clearance e-invoicing in effect
*
Mandatory for taxpayers with turnover ≥ Rs. 500 Crore
**
Invoice Management System (IMS) launched; B2C pilot initiated
***
Applies to GST-registered suppliers (including certain non-resident taxable persons under GST)
Niet verplicht
N.v.t.
EU ViDA not applicable (India is non-EU)
Do I need to have a permanent establishment in India to be required to e-Invoice?

No. The obligation to generate e-invoices is not based on having a Permanent Establishment (PE) in India.

The requirement is based on:
 
  • GST registration
  • Aggregate Annual Turnover (AATO) exceeding INR 5 Crore
 
If a foreign entity is GST-registered in India (e.g., as a non-resident taxable person or through a registered branch) and its aggregate turnover across India exceeds the prescribed threshold, it is required to comply with the e-invoicing mandate.
 
Businesses not registered for GST are not in scope.
B2B & B2G:
Applies to GST-registered businesses exceeding the INR 5 Crore threshold.
 
B2C:
Digital reporting applies; QR code requirements apply only to large suppliers (≥ 500 Crore annual revenue).
 
Cross-border (Import/Export):
Applies where GST-registered business meets threshold.
 
Non-registered businesses are not in scope.
Invoices must be submitted to the IRP near real-time from the taxable event. Validation occurs immediately before invoice becomes legally valid.

Failing to generate a mandatory e-invoice under GST rules attracts a penalty of INR 10,000 per invoice or 100% of the tax due, whichever is higher

Issuing an incorrect invoice (non-compliant) can lead to a penalty of INR 25,000 per instance

Non-compliance also prevents customers from claiming GST credits

Steps to be performed by customer

1. Confirm turnover exceeds INR 5 Crore threshold
2. Ensure GST registration under CGST/SGST/IGST

Steps VAT IT can assist with

3. Choose and integrate with an accredited e-invoicing service provider.
4. Obtain IRP-generated Invoice Reference Number (IRN), digital signature, and QR code before issuing invoice.
5. Implement compliant archiving (72 months retention).

Bekijk onze nieuwste blogs.

Uw centrale bron voor nieuws, door leiderschap en praktische handleidingen over btw-teruggave, naleving van btw- en omzetbelastingregels en e-facturering.

August 20, 2026

How to Deregister for VAT and What to Consider First

How to Deregister for VAT and What to Consider First A drop in turnover, a change of business model, or the closure of a cross-border sales channel can all result in a company being registered for a tax it no longer needs to charge. Cancelling that registration is rarely as simple as writing to the […]

August 18, 2026

EDI vs E-Invoicing: What’s the Difference and Which Does Your Business Need?

EDI vs E-Invoicing: What’s the Difference and Which Does Your Business Need? Both EDI and e-Invoicing move structured transactional data electronically between businesses. On the surface they look similar. In practice they serve different purposes, operate through different mechanisms, and carry very different compliance implications depending on where your business operates. Understanding the distinction is […]

August 13, 2026

Backdating VAT Registration: What Businesses Need to Know

Backdating VAT Registration: What Businesses Need to Know VAT registration has a deadline. Miss it, and the tax authority does not simply move the start date forward to when you applied. In most cases, it moves it back to when you should have registered in the first place. That gap between when you were liable […]

Aug
18
WEBINAR
eezi by VAT IT is now a UAE Pre-Approved e-Invoicing Provider. Join us and SAP Concur on 23 July to find out what the mandates mean for your business.
Aug
18
WEBINAR

In dit webinar wordt uitgelegd hoe Amerikaanse bedrijven buitenlandse btw kunnen vaststellen en terugvorderen. Daarbij worden belangrijke begrippen zoals wederkerigheid toegelicht en wordt aangegeven op welke punten mogelijkheden voor teruggaaf vaak over het hoofd worden gezien.