luckpandaHow to use the tax invoice format
- Title the document "Tax invoice" and enter your GSTIN.
- Issue it on time: at removal of goods, or within 30 days for services.
- Add the buyer, items, HSN or SAC and GST rates.
- Save it, then sign in to issue it in sequence and report it in GSTR-1.
Tax invoice, bill of supply or voucher?
| Document | Issued by | When |
|---|---|---|
| Tax invoice | Registered supplier, taxable supply | At supply, within the time limits |
| Bill of supply | Composition taxpayer or exempt supplier | At supply |
| Receipt voucher | Supplier receiving an advance for services | On receiving the advance |
| Refund voucher | Supplier refunding an advance when no supply follows | On refund |
| Credit or debit note | Supplier correcting an invoice | After the invoice |
| Self-invoice | Recipient paying reverse charge on a purchase from an unregistered supplier | On receiving the supply |
Copies and records
Goods need three copies: the original for the recipient, the duplicate for the transporter and the triplicate for the supplier. Services need two. Where an e-invoice has been generated, the transporter need not carry a paper duplicate. Keep tax invoices for 72 months from the due date of the annual return for the year.
Worked example: inter-state services
A Bengaluru IT company bills a Chennai client for 120 hours of software support at ₹1,800 an hour and a ₹48,000 annual licence renewal. Taxable value ₹2,64,000. The supply crosses states, so IGST at 18% is ₹47,520 and the total ₹3,11,520. The invoice is issued within 30 days of the month's service.