E-invoicing under GST explained

Who must issue e-invoices

Under Rule 48(4) of the CGST Rules, a registered person whose aggregate turnover exceeded Rs. 5 crore in any financial year from 2017-18 onwards must report B2B invoices, credit notes, debit notes and export invoices to the IRP. Once a business crosses the limit in any year, it stays covered even if turnover later falls.

• Exempt categories include SEZ units, insurers, banking companies and financial institutions including NBFCs, goods transport agencies, passenger transport services, and admission to cinema exhibition.
• B2C invoices are outside e-invoicing, though a dynamic QR code requirement applies to larger B2C suppliers.

Why the IRN matters

Under Rule 48(5), an invoice that should have been reported but was not is not treated as a valid invoice. The buyer may then be denied input tax credit and the goods may face problems in transit. Businesses with aggregate annual turnover of Rs. 10 crore or more cannot report invoices older than 30 days to the IRP, so late reporting is a real risk.

Practical benefits and limits

IRP data auto-populates GSTR-1 and can generate Part A of the e-way bill. An e-invoice can be cancelled on the IRP within 24 hours, but cannot be edited; after that, corrections are made through a credit note or by amending in GSTR-1. Check that the buyer's GSTIN and place of supply are correct before reporting.

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This guide explains the law in general terms as of October 2026. Time limits and requirements can depend on the facts of your case and on the notice you received.