Last checked 2 November 2026
Who must use e-invoicing
Since 1 August 2023, every registered business whose aggregate turnover in any financial year from 2017-18 onwards exceeded ₹5 crore must issue e-invoices (Rule 48(4) with Notification 10/2023-Central Tax). The test looks back at every year since 2017-18, so once you have crossed ₹5 crore in one year, the rule keeps applying even if turnover later falls.
| Year | Turnover above which e-invoicing applied |
|---|---|
| From 1 October 2020 | ₹500 crore |
| From 1 January 2021 | ₹100 crore |
| From 1 April 2021 | ₹50 crore |
| From 1 April 2022 | ₹20 crore |
| From 1 October 2022 | ₹10 crore |
| From 1 August 2023 | ₹5 crore |
Which documents
- Tax invoices, credit notes and debit notes for supplies to registered buyers (B2B).
- Exports and supplies to SEZ units and developers.
- B2B supplies under reverse charge, and deemed exports.
- Not B2C invoices. Businesses with turnover above ₹500 crore must print a dynamic QR code on B2C invoices instead.
- Not delivery challans or bills of supply.
Who is exempt
Some businesses are outside e-invoicing whatever their turnover, including SEZ units (not developers), insurance companies, banks and financial institutions including NBFCs, goods transport agencies, passenger transport services, and cinemas for admission tickets. An exempt business above the threshold must print a declaration on its invoices that it is not required to issue e-invoices under Rule 48(4).
How it works
- Your billing software prepares the invoice in the standard JSON schema (INV-01).
- It is uploaded to an IRP. NIC runs the main portal, and other authorised IRPs also exist.
- The IRP checks it, creates a 64-character Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and signs it.
- It returns the signed invoice with a QR code. You print the IRN and QR on the invoice and share it with the buyer.
- The details flow automatically to your GSTR-1 and, with Part A filled, can create an e-way bill.
An invoice that should have an IRN but does not is not a valid tax invoice (Rule 48(5)), and your buyer cannot claim credit on it.
The 30-day reporting limit
From 1 April 2025, businesses with aggregate turnover of ₹10 crore or more must report invoices, credit notes and debit notes to the IRP within 30 days of the document date. The portal rejects older documents. Example: an invoice dated 1 April must be reported by 30 April. The limit started in November 2023 for businesses at ₹100 crore and above.
Cancelling and correcting
- An e-invoice can be cancelled in full on the IRP within 24 hours. Partial cancellation is not allowed.
- After 24 hours, correct it with a credit or debit note (also e-invoiced), or amend it in GSTR-1.
- A cancelled invoice number cannot be used again for a new IRN.
- Multi-factor authentication is mandatory on the e-invoice portal for all users since 1 April 2025.
Is your business close to ₹5 crore?
Watch your turnover across all GSTINs under your PAN through the year. If it crosses ₹5 crore, e-invoicing applies from the next financial year: plan your software and invoice numbering before 1 April. Count all taxable, exempt and export turnover, not only B2B sales.
Common mistakes
- Counting only one year’s turnover. The test is any year since 2017-18.
- Counting only B2B sales. Aggregate turnover includes B2C, exempt and export supplies across all GSTINs under the PAN.
- Sharing a PDF without the QR code and IRN. Without them the buyer’s credit is at risk.
- Reporting old invoices late. Businesses at ₹10 crore and above cannot report documents older than 30 days.
- Forgetting credit notes. They need an IRN too.
billinginfo and e-invoicing
e-Invoice generation in billinginfo is not available yet. It is coming soon for businesses above the ₹5 crore limit. Today billinginfo handles GST invoices, credit and debit notes, GSTIN autofill and e-way bills (on paid plans). If your business must e-invoice now, use the government’s free offline tools or an IRP portal alongside billinginfo until it is available.
