Section 34 - Credit and debit notes

Practical example

Goods invoiced at 1,00,000 are returned. The supplier issues a GST credit note, reports it within time and ensures recipient ITC reversal before reducing output tax.

Professional alert

Credit-note workflow now requires recipient-side evidence. Contract teams, finance and GST compliance must coordinate before reducing tax.

CGST Rules - rule by rule The rule text layer is paired with a current amendment/control note. Forms and portal labels may change; use the latest official utility. Rule 46 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 46. Tax invoice.-Subject to rule 54, a tax invoice referred to in section 31 shall be issued by the registered person containing the following particulars, namely,- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters- hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) date of its issue; (d) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number, if registered, of the recipient; (e) name and address of the recipient and the address of delivery, along with the name of the State and its code, if such recipient is un-registered and where the value of the taxable supply is fifty thousand rupees or more; (f) name and address of the recipient and the address of delivery, along with the name of the State and its code, if such recipient is un-registered and where the value of the taxable supply is less than fifty thousand rupees and the recipient requests that such details be recorded in the tax invoice; (g) Harmonised System of Nomenclature code for goods or services; (h) description of goods or services; (i) quantity in case of goods and unit or Unique Quantity Code thereof; (j) total value of supply of goods or services or both; (k) taxable value of the supply of goods or services or both taking into account discount or abatement, if any; (l) rate of tax (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess);

(m) amount of tax charged in respect of taxable goods or services (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (n) place of supply along with the name of the State, in the case of a supply in the course of inter-State trade or commerce; (o) address of delivery where the same is different from the place of supply; (p) whether the tax is payable on reverse charge basis; and (q) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative: (r) Quick Response code, having embedded Invoice Reference Number (IRN) in it, in case invoice has been issued in the manner prescribed under sub-rule (4) of rule 48106. Provided that the Board may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification, specify-

(i) the number of digits of Harmonised System of Nomenclature code for goods or services that a class of registered persons shall be required to mention; or (ii) a class of supply of goods or services for which specified number of digits of Harmonised System of Nomenclature code shall be required to be mentioned by all registered taxpayers; and (iii) the class of registered persons that would not be required to mention the Harmonised System of Nomenclature code for goods or services:107 Provided further that where an invoice is required to be issued under clause (f) of sub-section (3) of section 31, a registered person may issue a consolidated invoice at the end of a month for supplies covered under sub-section (4) of section 9, the aggregate value of such supplies exceeds rupees five thousand in a day from any or all the suppliers:

Provided also that in the case of the export of goods or services, the invoice shall carry an endorsement “SUPPLY MEANT FOR EXPORT/SUPPLY TO SEZ UNIT OR SEZ DEVELOPER FOR AUTHORISED OPERATIONS ON PAYMENT OF INTEGRATED TAX” or “SUPPLY MEANT FOR EXPORT/SUPPLY TO SEZ UNIT OR SEZ DEVELOPER FOR AUTHORISED OPERATIONS UNDER BOND OR LETTER OF UNDERTAKING WITHOUT PAYMENT OF INTEGRATED TAX”, as the case may be, and shall, in lieu of the details specified in clause (e), contain the following details, namely,- (i) name and address of the recipient;

(ii) address of delivery; and (iii) name of the country of destination:108 Provided also that a registered person, other than the supplier engaged in making supply of services by way of admission to exhibition of cinematograph films in 106 Inserted vide Notf no. 72/2020-CT dt. 30.09.2020. 107 Substituted vide Notf no.

79/2020-CT dt.15.10.2020 for “Provided that the Board may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification, specify- (i) the number of digits of Harmonised System of Nomenclature code for goods or services that a class of registered persons shall be required to mention, for such period as may be specified in the said notification; and (ii) the class of registered persons that would not be required to mention the Harmonised System of Nomenclature code for goods or services, for such period as may be specified in the said notification:” 108 Amended vide Notf no. 17/2017-CT dt. 27.07.2017. Till then it read as follows -

Provided also that in the case of the export of goods or services, the invoice shall carry an endorsement “SUPPLY MEANT FOR EXPORT ON PAYMENT OF INTEGRATED TAX” or “SUPPLY MEANT FOR EXPORT UNDER BOND OR LETTER OF UNDERTAKING WITHOUT PAYMENT OF INTEGRATED TAX”, as the case may be, and shall, in lieu of the details specified in clause (e), contain the following details, namely,- (i) name and address of the recipient; (ii) address of delivery; and (iii) name of the country of destination. multiplex screens,109may not issue a tax invoice in accordance with the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 31 subject to the following conditions, namely,- (a) the recipient is not a registered person; and (b) the recipient does not require such invoice, and shall issue a consolidated tax invoice for such supplies at the close of each day in respect of all such supplies. Provided also that the signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative shall not be required in the case of issuance of an electronic invoice in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).110 Provided also that the Government may, by notification, on the recommendations of the Council, and subject to such conditions and restrictions as mentioned therein, specify that the tax invoice shall have Quick Response (QR) code.111 CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Current rule 46 mandatory particulars apply. Notification 20/2024 omitted the special unregistered-supplier reference in the invoice proviso from 1 November 2024; recipient self-invoicing is now timed by rule 47A. E- invoice applicability is controlled by section 31/rule 48 read with turnover notifications. Rule 46A RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 46A. Invoice-cum-bill of supply.- Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 46 or rule 49 or rule 54, where a registered person is supplying taxable as well as exempted goods or services or both to an unregistered person, a single “invoice-cum-bill of supply” may be issued for all such supplies.112 CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 One document may operate as invoice-cum-bill of supply where a registered person supplies taxable and exempt goods/services to an unregistered person, subject to the rule. Rule 47 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER

47. Time limit for issuing tax invoice.- The invoice referred to in rule 46, in the case of the taxable supply of services, shall be issued within a period of thirty days from the date of the supply of service: Provided that where the supplier of services is an insurer or a banking company or a financial institution, including a non- banking financial company, the period within which the invoice or any document in lieu thereof is to be issued shall be forty five days from the date of the supply of service: Provided further that an insurer or a banking company or a financial institution, including a non-banking financial company, or a telecom operator, or any other class of supplier of services as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council, making taxable supplies of services between distinct persons as specified in section 25, may issue the invoice before or at the time such supplier records the same in his books of account or before the expiry of the quarter during which the supply was made. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Normal service invoice period is 30 days; for insurers, banks, financial institutions including NBFCs, the period is 45 days. Distinct-person banking documents receive the special period in the rule. Rule 47A RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 47A. Time limit for issuing tax invoice in cases where recipient is required to issue invoice.- Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 47, where an invoice referred to in rule 46 is required to be issued under clause (f) of sub-section (3) of section 31 by a registered person, who is liable to pay tax under sub-section (3) or sub- section (4) of section 9, he shall issue the said invoice within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the said supply of goods or services, or both, as the case may be. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Operative from 1 November 2024: recipient RCM invoice under section 31(3)(f) must be issued within 30 days from receipt of supply. Rule 48 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 48. Manner of issuing invoice.-(1)The invoice shall be prepared in triplicate, in the case of supply of goods, in the following manner, namely,- (a) the original copy being marked as ORIGINAL FOR RECIPIENT; (b) the duplicate copy being marked as DUPLICATE FOR TRANSPORTER; and (c) the triplicate copy being marked as TRIPLICATE FOR SUPPLIER. 109 Inserted vide Notf no. 33/2019-CT dt. 18.07.2019 with effect from 01.09.2019 110 Inserted vide Notf no. 74/2018-CT dt. 31.12.2018 111 Inserted vide Notf no. 31/2019 - CT dt. 28.06.2019with effect from 01.04.2020 as notified by Notification No. 71/2019 dated 13.12.2019. 112 Inserted vide Notf no. 45/2017-CT dt. 13.10.2017 (2) The invoice shall be prepared in duplicate, in the case of the supply of services, in the following manner, namely,- (a) the original copy being marked as ORIGINAL FOR RECIPIENT; and (b) the duplicate copy being marked as DUPLICATE FOR SUPPLIER. (3) The serial

number of invoices issued during a tax period shall be furnished electronically through the common portal in FORM GSTR-1. (4) The invoice shall be prepared by such class of registered persons as may be notified by the Government, on the recommendations of the Council, by including such particulars contained in FORM GST INV-01 after obtaining an Invoice Reference Number by uploading information contained therein on the Common Goods and Services Tax Electronic Portal in such manner and subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified in the notification. Provided that the Commissioner may, on the recommendations of the Council, by notification, exempt a person or a class of registered persons from issuance of invoice under this sub-rule for a specified period, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified in the said notification.113 (5) Every invoice issued by a person to whom sub-rule (4) applies in any manner other than the manner specified in the said sub-rule shall not be treated as an invoice.

(6) The provisions of sub-rules (1) and (2) shall not apply to an invoice prepared in the manner specified in sub-rule (4).114 CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Invoice copies and e-invoice authentication apply. Notification 10/2023-Central Tax lowered the notified e- invoice aggregate-turnover threshold to 5 crore from 1 August 2023, subject to exclusions and PAN-based turnover test. Rule 49 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 49. Bill of supply.-A bill of supply referred to in clause (c) of sub-section (3) of section 31 shall be issued by the supplier containing the following details, namely,- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters -hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) date of its issue; (d) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number, if registered, of the recipient; (e) Harmonised System of Nomenclature Code for goods or services; (f) description of goods or services or both; (g) value of supply of goods or services or both taking into account discount or abatement, if any; and (h) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative: 113 Inserted vide Notf no. 72/2020-CT dt. 30.09.2020 114 Inserted vide Notf no. 68/2019-CT dt. 13.12.2019 Provided that the provisos to rule 46 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the bill of supply issued under this rule: Provided further that any tax invoice or any other similar document issued under any other Act for the time being in force in respect of any non-taxable supply shall be treated as a bill of supply for the purposes of the Act. Provided also that the signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative shall not be required in the case of issuance of an electronic bill of supply in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).115 Provided also that the Government may, by notification, on the recommendations of the Council, and subject to such conditions and restrictions as mentioned therein, specify that the bill of supply shall have Quick Response (QR) code.116 CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Bill of supply particulars and small-value consolidation/exceptions apply; it must not show tax collection.

Rule 50 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 50. Receipt voucher.- A receipt voucher referred to in clause (d) of sub-section (3) of section 31 shall contain the following particulars, namely,- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters-hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) date of its issue; (d) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number, if registered, of the recipient;

(e) description of goods or services; (f) amount of advance taken; (g) rate of tax (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (h) amount of tax charged in respect of taxable goods or services (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (i) place of supply along with the name of State and its code, in case of a supply in the course of inter-State trade or commerce; (j) whether the tax is payable on reverse charge basis; and (k) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative: Provided that where at the time of receipt of advance,- (i) the rate of tax is not determinable, the tax shall be paid at the rate of eighteen per cent.; 115 Inserted vide Notf no. 74/2018-CT dt. 31.12.2018 116 Inserted vide Notf no. 31/2019 - CT dt. 28.06.2019 with effect from a date to be notified later. (ii) the nature of supply is not determinable, the same shall be treated as inter- State supply. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Receipt voucher is required on advance receipt with prescribed particulars; refund voucher follows where no supply is made and no invoice issued. Rule 51 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 51. Refund voucher.-A refund voucher referred to in clause (e) of sub-section (3) of section 31 shall contain the following particulars, namely:- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters-hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/”respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) date of its issue; (d) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number, if registered, of the recipient; (e) number and date of receipt voucher issued in accordance with the provisions of rule 50; (f) description of goods or services in respect of which refund is made; (g) amount of refund made; (h) rate of tax (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (i) amount of tax paid in respect of such goods or services (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (j) whether the tax is payable on reverse charge basis; and (k) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Refund voucher documents refund of advance where supply does not occur.

Rule 52 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 52. Payment voucher.-A payment voucher referred to in clause (g) of sub-section (3) of section 31 shall contain the following particulars, namely:- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier if registered; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters-hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) date of its issue; (d) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the recipient; (e) description of goods or services; (f) amount paid; (g) rate of tax (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (h) amount of tax payable in respect of taxable goods or services (central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess); (i) place of supply along with the name of State and its code, in case of a supply in the course of inter-State trade or commerce; and (j) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Payment voucher is issued by the RCM recipient when making payment to the supplier in prescribed cases.

Rule 53 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 53. Revised tax invoice and credit or debit notes.-(1)A revised tax invoice referred to in section 31 and credit or debit notes referred to in section 34117 shall contain the following particulars, namely:- (a) the word “Revised Invoice”, wherever applicable, indicated prominently; (b) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier; (c )nature of the document;118 (d) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters-hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (e) date of issue of the document; (f) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number, if registered, of the recipient; (g) name and address of the recipient and the address of delivery, along with the name of State and its code, if such recipient is un- registered; (h) serial number and date of the corresponding tax invoice or, as the case may be, bill of supply; and (i) value of taxable supply of goods or services, rate of tax and the amount of the tax credited or, as the case may be, debited to the recipient;119 (j) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative. (1A) A credit or debit note referred to in section 34 shall contain the following particulars, namely:- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier; (b) nature of the document; (c) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters-hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (d) date of issue of the document; (e) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number, if registered, of the recipient; 117 Omitted vide Notf no. 03/2019-CT dt. 29.01.2019 wef 01.02.2019 118 Omitted vide Notf no. 03/2019-CT dt. 29.01.2019 wef 01.02.2019 119 Omitted vide Notf no. 03/2019-CT dt. 29.01.2019 wef 01.02.2019 (f) name and address of the recipient and the address of delivery, along with the name of State and its code, if such recipient is un-registered; (g) serial number(s) and date(s) of the corresponding tax invoice(s) or, as the case may be, bill(s) of supply; (h) value of taxable supply of goods or services, rate of tax and the amount of the tax credited or, as the case may be, debited to the recipient; and (i) signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative.120 (2) Every registered person who has been granted registration with effect from a date earlier than the date of issuance of certificate of registration to him, may issue revised tax invoices in respect of taxable supplies effected during the period starting from the effective date of registration till the date of the issuance of the certificate of registration: Provided that the registered person may issue a consolidated revised tax invoice in respect of all taxable supplies made to a recipient who is not registered under the Act during such period: Provided further that in the case of inter- State supplies, where the value of a supply does not exceed two lakh and fifty thousand rupees, a consolidated revised invoice may be issued separately in respect of all the recipients located in a State, who are not registered under the Act. (3) Any invoice or debit note issued in pursuance of any tax payable in accordance with the provisions of section 74 or section 129 or section 130 shall prominently contain the words “INPUT TAX CREDIT NOT ADMISSIBLE”. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Revised invoice and specified consolidated documents apply to the effective-registration gap and other prescribed cases.

Rule 54 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 54. Tax invoice in special cases.- (1)An Input Service Distributor invoice or, as the case may be, an Input Service Distributor credit note issued by an Input Service Distributor shall contain the following details:- (a) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the Input Service Distributor; (b) a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters- hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as- “-”, “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; (c) date of its issue; (d) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the recipient to whom the credit is distributed; (e) amount of the credit distributed; and (f) signature or digital signature of the Input Service Distributor or his authorised representative: Provided that where the Input Service Distributor is an office of a banking company or a financial institution, including a non-banking financial company, a tax 120 Inserted vide Notf no. 03/2019-CT dt. 29.01.2019 wef 01.02.2019 invoice shall include any document in lieu thereof, by whatever name called, whether or not serially numbered but containing the information as mentioned above. (1A) (a) A registered person, having the same PAN and State code as an Input Service Distributor, may issue an invoice or, as the case may be, a credit or debit note to transfer the credit of common input services to the Input Service Distributor, which shall contain the following details:- i. name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the registered person having the same PAN and same State code as the Input Service Distributor; ii. a consecutive serial number not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, containing alphabets or numerals or special characters -hyphen or dash and slash symbolised as “-” and “/” respectively, and any combination thereof, unique for a financial year; iii. date of its issue; iv. Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of supplier of common service and original invoice number whose credit is sought to be transferred to the Input Service Distributor; v. name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the Input Service Distributor; vi. taxable value, rate and amount of the credit to be transferred; and vii. signature or digital signature of the registered person or his authorised representative. (b) The taxable value in the invoice issued under clause (a) shall be the same as the value of the common services.121 (2) Where the supplier of taxable service is an insurer or a banking company or a financial institution, including a non-banking financial company, the said supplier may122 issue a consolidated123 tax invoice or any other document in lieu thereof, by whatever name called for the supply of services made during a month at the end of the month124, whether issued or made available, physically or electronically whether or not serially numbered, and whether or not containing the address of the recipient of taxable service but containing other information as mentioned under rule 46. Provided that the signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative shall not be required in the case of issuance of a consolidated tax invoice or any other document in lieu thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).125 (3) Where the supplier of taxable service is a goods transport agency supplying services in relation to transportation of goods by road in a goods carriage, the said supplier shall issue a tax invoice or any other document in lieu thereof, by whatever name called, containing the gross weight of the consignment, name of the consigner and the consignee, registration number of goods carriage in which the goods are transported, details of goods transported, 121 Inserted vide Notf no. 03/2018- CT dt. 23.01.2018 122 Substituted for “shall” vide Notf no. 55/2017-CT dt. 15.11.2017 123 Inserted vide Notf no. 45/2017-CT dt. 13.10.2017 124 Inserted vide Notf no. 45/2017-CT dt. 13.10.2017 125 Inserted vide Notf no. 74/2018-CT dt. 31.12.2018 details of place of origin and destination, Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the person liable for paying tax whether as consigner, consignee or goods transport agency, and also containing other information as mentioned under rule 46. (4) Where the supplier of taxable service is supplying passenger transportation service, a tax invoice shall include ticket in any form, by whatever name called, whether or not serially numbered, and whether or not containing the address of the recipient of service but containing other information as mentioned under rule 46. Provided that the signature or digital signature of the supplier or his authorised representative shall not be required in the case of issuance of ticket in accordance with the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21

of 2000).126 (4A) A registered person supplying services by way of admission to exhibition of cinematograph films in multiplex screens shall be required to issue an electronic ticket and the said electronic ticket shall be deemed to be a tax invoice for all purposes of the Act, even if such ticket does not contain the details of the recipient of service but contains the other information as mentioned under rule 46: Provided that the supplier of such service in a screen other than multiplex screens may, at his option, follow the above procedure.127

(5) The provisions of sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (4) shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the documents issued under rule 49 or rule 50 or rule 51 or rule 52 or rule 53. CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Special invoice/document rules cover ISD, banks/insurers, passenger transport, cinema tickets and specified suppliers; current sector-specific provisos control. Rule 55 RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 55. Transportation of goods without issue of invoice.-(1)For the purposes of- (a) supply of liquid gas where the quantity at the time of removal from the place of business of the supplier is not known, (b) transportation of goods for job work, (c) transportation of goods for reasons other than by way of supply, or (d) such other supplies as may be notified by the Board, the consigner may issue a delivery challan, serially numbered not exceeding sixteen characters, in one or multiple series, in lieu of invoice at the time of removal of goods for transportation, containing the following details, namely:- (i) date and number of the delivery challan; (ii) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the consigner, if registered; (iii) name, address and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number or Unique Identity Number of the consignee, if registered; (iv) Harmonised System of Nomenclature code and description of goods; (v) quantity (provisional, where the exact quantity being supplied is not known); (vi) taxable value; 126 Inserted vide Notf no. 74/2018-CT dt. 31.12.2018 127 Inserted vide Notf no. 33/2019-CT dt. 18.07.2019 with effect from 01.09.2019 (vii) tax rate and tax amount - central tax, State tax, integrated tax, Union territory tax or cess, where the transportation is for supply to the consignee; (viii) place of supply, in case of inter-State movement; and (ix) signature. (2) The delivery challan shall be prepared in triplicate, in case of supply of goods, in the following manner, namely:- (a) the original copy being marked as ORIGINAL FOR CONSIGNEE; (b) the duplicate copy being marked as DUPLICATE FOR TRANSPORTER; and (c) the triplicate copy being marked as TRIPLICATE FOR CONSIGNER. (3) Where goods are being transported on a delivery challan in lieu of invoice, the same shall be declared as specified in rule 138. (4) Where the goods being transported are for the purpose of supply to the recipient but the tax invoice could not be issued at the time of removal of goods for the purpose of supply, the supplier shall issue a tax invoice after delivery of goods. (5) Where the goods are being transported in a semi knocked down or completely knocked down condition or in batches or lots128- (a) the supplier shall issue the complete invoice before dispatch of the first consignment; (b) the supplier shall issue a delivery challan for each of the subsequent consignments, giving reference of the invoice; (c) each consignment shall be accompanied by copies of the corresponding delivery challan along with a duly certified copy of the invoice; and (d) the original copy of the invoice shall be sent along with the last consignment.

CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Delivery challan can replace invoice for job work, non-supply transport, quantity unknown at removal and other notified cases; invoice must follow where supply crystallises. Rule 55A RULE TEXT / CONSOLIDATED BASE LAYER 55A. Tax Invoice or bill of supply to accompany transport of goods.- The person-in- charge of the conveyance shall carry a copy of the tax invoice or the bill of supply issued in accordance with the provisions of rules 46, 46A or 49 in a case where such person is not required to carry an e-way bill under these rules.129 128 Inserted vide Notf no. 39/2018-CT dt. 04.09.2018 129 Inserted vide Notf no. 03/2018-CT dt. 23.01.2018 CURRENT OPERATIVE CONTROL AT 29 JUNE 2026 Tax invoice or bill of supply accompanies goods transport where e-way bill is not required, subject to rule wording.

Notifications, circulars and implementation controls Instrument Date/status Why it matters Notification 13/2020-Central Tax, as amended 21 March 2020 onward Notifies e-invoicing classes under rule 48(4). Notification 10/2023-Central Tax 10 May 2023; effective 1 August 2023 Reduces e-invoice aggregate-turnover threshold to 5 crore, subject to notified exclusions. Notification 20/2024-Central Tax 8 October 2024; specified changes from 1 November 2024 Inserts rule 47A and updates rule 46. Circular 146/02/2021-GST 23 February 2021 Clarifies dynamic QR code requirements for B2C invoices. Circular 165/21/2021-GST 17 November 2021 Further clarifies dynamic QR implementation. Finance Act 2025 commencement 1 October 2025 Introduces recipient ITC reversal/incidence control for supplier credit-note tax reduction. Reading rule: A circular guides administration but cannot override the Act, Rules or Gazette. Always read the principal instrument with amendments and effective-date clauses.

CA / finance / professional case studies Case 1: Goods invoice timing Facts: Goods are dispatched on 4 August and delivered on 7 August. Question: When must invoice issue? Analysis: By removal on 4 August because movement is involved. References: Section 31(1)(a) Case 2: Service invoice delay Facts: Consulting ends 31 July; invoice is issued 10 September by an ordinary supplier. Question: Compliant? Analysis: No. Ordinary rule 47 period is 30 days; test time of supply, interest and documentation consequences. References: Section 31(2); rule 47 Case 3: RCM self-invoice Facts: Registered recipient receives notified service from unregistered supplier on 5 November 2024. Question: Deadline? Analysis: Issue recipient invoice within 30 days from receipt and payment voucher when payment is made. References: Section 31(3)(f); rules 47A,52

Case 4: Small B2C supplies Facts: Retailer makes many unrecorded individual supplies below 200 to unregistered customers who do not request invoice. Question: Can consolidate? Analysis: Yes if all rule conditions are met; issue one consolidated tax invoice at close of day. References: Section 31(3)(b); rule 46 Case 5: E-invoice turnover Facts: PAN turnover crossed 5 crore in an earlier financial year; current unit turnover is only 2 crore. Question: E-invoice? Analysis: PAN-based notified turnover history can trigger e-invoicing, subject to exclusions. References: Rule 48(4); Notification 10/2023 Case 6: Credit note after cut-off Facts: FY 2025-26 discount is finalised in December 2026. Question: Tax reduction? Analysis: Commercial credit note may be issued, but section 34 tax reduction is time-barred after 30 November/annual-return trigger. References: Section 34(2) Case 7: Recipient does not reverse Facts: Supplier issues timely GST credit note but recipient retains ITC. Question: Can supplier reduce tax? Analysis: No under current proviso until attributable ITC reversal condition is met. References: Section 34(2) proviso

Case 8: Sale on approval Facts: Goods sent on approval remain undecided for seven months. Question: Invoice timing? Analysis: Invoice must issue before/at supply or six months from removal, whichever earlier. References: Section 31(7)

Finin2min Q&A 1. When is a goods invoice issued? Before or at removal where movement occurs; otherwise before or at delivery/making available. 2. What is the ordinary service invoice period? Generally 30 days from supply; 45 days for specified insurers/banks/financial institutions including NBFCs. 3. What changed for RCM self-invoice? Rule 47A requires issue within 30 days from receipt for section 31(3)(f) cases from 1 November 2024. 4. Can invoices below 200 be skipped? Only for unregistered recipients who do not require invoice and subject to daily consolidated invoice conditions. 5. Who must e-invoice? Notified classes crossing PAN-based aggregate-turnover threshold, currently 5 crore from 1 August 2023, subject to exclusions. 6. Does an IRN replace the tax invoice? No; authentication is part of validity for notified persons, while all statutory particulars remain relevant. 7. When is bill of supply used? For exempt supplies or composition tax, subject to rule 49. 8. Can a credit note be issued after 30 November? Commercially yes, but output-tax reduction is unavailable after section 34 cut-off. 9. What is the new recipient condition? From 1 October 2025, registered recipient must reverse attributable ITC before supplier reduces output tax. 10. Can an unregistered person collect GST? No. 11. What accompanies goods on non-supply movement? Delivery challan where rule 55 applies, with later invoice if a supply occurs. 12. Is invoice numbering flexible? It must be unique for the financial year, consecutive and within prescribed character limit/particulars.

Official source register Source Control purpose India Code - Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, consolidated as on 11 June 2026 https://www.indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/15689 Primary section text and amendment footnotes. CBIC Tax Information Portal - Active CGST Rules https://taxinformation.cbic.gov.in/ Current rule text, amendment history and forms. GST Council - Central Tax Notifications https://gstcouncil.gov.in/cgst-tax-notification Gazette notification register and effective dates. GST Council - Circulars https://gstcouncil.gov.in/circulars Administrative clarifications and implementation guidance. GST Common Portal https://www.gst.gov.in/ Forms, filing utilities, advisories and due-date implementation. Professional use: Preserve the source PDF/HTML, Gazette date, portal ARN, working papers and management approval supporting every material GST position. © 2026 Finin2min. All rights reserved. Educational and professional reference only; not a substitute for transaction-specific legal or tax advice. Verify latest Gazette, applicable State law and judicial developments before reliance. Authors: CA Nikhil Gupta and Kajri Singh.

F2 Finin2min GST BARE ACT & RULES SERIES · CHAPTER VIII Accounts and Records Books, stock, production, tax and ITC records, electronic audit trails, warehouses, transporters and statutory retention. Legal cut-off 29 June 2026 Act as on 11 June 2026 GST26

Chapter control panel Statutory coverage Sections 35, 36 Rule coverage Rules 56, 57, 58 Legal source hierarchy Act → Rules → Gazette notifications → binding judicial law → circulars/advisories. State overlay Use corresponding SGST/UTGST law, State notifications and local jurisdiction controls. Editorial control: The complete official section text is reproduced from the India Code consolidation. Rule cards use the official consolidated base text plus a separately identified current operative control for amendments after the base compilation. The current Gazette/active-rule page prevails.

Senior finance & tax decision flow 1 Map every registered place and storage location ↓ 2 Define book, stock and document owners ↓ 3 Capture inward/outward, ITC, output tax and advances ↓ 4 Maintain production, job-work and works-contract records ↓ 5 Protect electronic audit trail and backups ↓ 6 Reconcile returns, invoices, e-way bills and ledgers ↓ 7 Retain for 72 months or longer where proceedings continue

Bare Act - paragraph by paragraph Read the statutory text first, then the practical interpretation, example and risk control.