E-invoice QR Code Applicability/ GST Notifications Issued

Introduction:

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indirect tax that was introduced in India on 1st July 2017. It has revolutionized the way businesses operate in India, by simplifying the tax structure and bringing transparency. Recently, the Government of India has made a few notifications regarding e-invoicing and QR codes. In this article, we will discuss what e-invoicing and QR codes are, and their applicability under GST.

What is E-invoicing?

E-invoicing is the process of generating invoices electronically, as opposed to generating them manually. It is a format of invoice generation in which the invoice details are uploaded to a central portal maintained by the Government, called the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP). The IRP validates and authenticates the invoice, and then returns it to the taxpayer with a unique Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and a QR code.

What is a QR code?

A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode that can be scanned using a smartphone or a QR code scanner. It contains information about the product or service that the QR code is associated with.

Applicability of e-invoicing and QR codes:

E-invoicing and QR codes were introduced for businesses with an annual turnover of Rs. 500 crore or more, from 1st October 2020. However, the Government has now extended the applicability of e-invoicing and QR codes to businesses with an annual turnover of Rs. 100 crore or more, from 1st January 2021. This means that businesses with an annual turnover of Rs. 100 crore or more will have to generate e-invoices and QR codes for all their B2B transactions from 1st January 2021.

Benefits of e-invoicing and QR codes:

E-invoicing and QR codes have several benefits for businesses:

1. Reduced errors: Since the invoice details are uploaded electronically, there is less chance of errors in the invoice.

2. Increased efficiency: E-invoicing saves time and reduces the need for manual data entry.

3. Cost-effective: E-invoicing saves printing and courier costs.

4. Transparency: E-invoicing and QR codes increase transparency in transactions, as the details of the invoice are available on the Government portal.

Conclusion:

The Government's decision to extend the applicability of e-invoicing and QR codes to businesses with an annual turnover of Rs. 100 crore or more, from 1st January 2021, is a step towards making the tax structure more efficient and transparent. E-invoicing and QR codes have several benefits for businesses, including reduced errors, increased efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and transparency. Businesses must ensure that they comply with the new regulations and generate e-invoices and QR codes for all their B2B transactions.