Create E Invoice - For India Only
Quick Summary
SIM integrates directly with India's government GST infrastructure, enabling businesses to generate GST-compliant documents — E-Invoices and E-Way Bills — without logging into government portals separately. All GST compliance features are specific to Indian GST regulations and apply only to GST-registered businesses in India.
What Is This Feature
B. Generating an E-Invoice (IRN)
What It Is
SIM integrates directly with India's government GST infrastructure, enabling businesses to generate GST-compliant documents — E-Invoices and E-Way Bills — without logging into government portals separately. All GST compliance features are specific to Indian GST regulations and apply only to GST-registered businesses in India.
When To Use This Feature
Who It Applies To
- E-Invoice (IRN): Mandatory for GST-registered businesses with annual turnover exceeding ₹5 crore, for all B2B transactions.
- E-Way Bill: Required when transporting goods valued above ₹50,000 anywhere in India (inter-state; intra-state rules vary by state).
Step-by-Step Flow
Flow — Generating an E-Invoice (IRN)
- Settings → E-Invoice Settings → toggle on.
- Enter GSTIN, GSP Username, GSP Password → tap Validate Seller GSTIN.
- Create an invoice:
- Select client → set Invoice Type: B2B.
- Add products with HSN code (mandatory), unit, quantity, and tax rate.
- Save → status becomes Ready for E-Invoice.
- From B2B Invoice List → Action (three dots) → Generate IRN.
- Status updates to confirmed; preview shows IRN, QR barcode, and acknowledgement number.
- Print, save, or download from the app.
To Cancel an E-Invoice
- Cancellation must be done within 24 hours of IRN generation.
- Open B2B Invoice List → Action (three dots) → Cancel IRN.
- Select reason and remarks, then tap OK.
- Status updates to Cancelled.
Fields Explanation
Key Fields — E-Invoice
| Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| GSTIN (Seller) | The business's own GST number. Validated against government records before use. |
| GSP Username | Created on the e-invoice portal. Always prefixed with API_ (e.g., API_yourusername). |
| GSP Password | The password for the GSP username. Must be updated in the app if changed on the portal. |
| Invoice Type | Must be set to B2B to be eligible for e-invoicing. B2B = transaction between two GST-registered businesses. |
| HSN Code | Mandatory for e-invoice. Classifies the goods or service for GST purposes. |
| IRN | The 64-character unique code generated by the IRP. Printed on the e-invoice. |
| Acknowledgement Number | A sequential confirmation number issued alongside the IRN. |
| QR Barcode | Machine-readable code printed on the e-invoice, encoding key invoice data for verification. |
| Unique Quantity Code (UQC) | A fixed, mandatory format for measurement units in e-invoice creation in India. The Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) requires units to be reported using a standardized Unique Quantity Code (UQC). |
E-Invoice Rules
- Once an IRN is generated, the invoice cannot be edited or deleted.
- Cancellation is only possible within 24 hours of IRN generation.
- After 24 hours, the IRN is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Invoice Statuses — E-Invoice
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ready for E-Invoice | Invoice saved and eligible; IRN not yet generated. |
| IRN Generated | E-invoice successfully registered with the government. |
| Cancelled | IRN cancelled within the 24-hour window. |
Optional Settings
GSP Credentials: E-Invoice vs. E-Way Bill — Quick Comparison
| E-Invoice Portal | E-Way Bill Portal | |
|---|---|---|
| Website | einvoice1.gst.gov.in | ewaybill.gst.gov.in |
| Can share portal login? | If already an e-way bill user, same portal login works here | If already an e-invoice user, same portal login works here |
| GSP credentials | Must be created separately on this portal | Must be created separately on this portal |
Key distinction: Your portal login (GSTIN + password) and your GSP credentials (API username + password) are two entirely different things. The portal login is for manually accessing the government website. The GSP credentials are exclusively for app integration.
Underlying Concept (Accounting / Logic / Calculation)
Core GST Concepts
GSTIN (GST Identification Number): A 15-digit unique identifier assigned to every GST-registered business in India. It encodes the state code, the business's PAN number, and an entity type indicator. It is mandatory on all tax invoices.
GSP (GST Suvidha Provider): A government-authorized intermediary company that provides a secure API channel between third-party apps (like SIM) and the GST portal. A GSP allows SIM to submit and receive data from the GST system on behalf of the business. The GSP used by SIM is: BVMIT Consulting Services India Private Limited.
GSP Credentials (Username & Password): Separate from the regular GST portal login. Created specifically for API-based integration. Must be generated on the respective government portal (e-invoice or e-way bill) and then entered once in SIM. These credentials authorize SIM to act on behalf of the business on the GST portal.
API (Application Programming Interface): The technical communication layer between SIM and the government GST portal. The GSP username and password authenticate this connection.
IRP (Invoice Registration Portal): The government portal where B2B invoices are submitted and registered to receive an IRN.
IRN (Invoice Reference Number): A unique 64-character hash generated by the IRP for each registered B2B invoice. Once generated, the IRN is printed on the invoice along with a QR barcode and an acknowledgement number. An IRN confirms that the invoice has been officially registered with the GST system.
E-Invoice: A B2B invoice that has been registered with the IRP and assigned an IRN. The invoice itself is created in SIM; the IRN is obtained from the government portal via the GSP integration.
E-Way Bill (EWB): A digitally generated document required before transporting goods worth more than ₹50,000. It is submitted to the government e-way bill portal and contains details about the goods, origin, destination, and transporter. It must accompany the goods during transit.
Input Tax Credit (ITC): A mechanism that allows GST-registered businesses to reduce their GST liability by the GST they have already paid on their purchases. For a buyer to claim ITC, the seller must have issued a valid tax invoice with a proper IRN (for applicable cases).
Alternate Terms
Alternate Terms
| App Term | Also Known As |
|---|---|
| E-Invoice | Electronic Invoice, IRN Invoice, Tax Invoice with IRN |
| E-Way Bill | EWB, Electronic Way Bill, Goods Movement Document |
| GSTIN | GST Number, GST ID, Tax ID, GST Registration Number |
| GSP | GST Suvidha Provider, API Provider, GST Intermediary |
| IRP | Invoice Registration Portal, Government E-Invoice Portal |
| IRN | Invoice Reference Number, E-Invoice Number |
| HSN Code | Harmonised System Nomenclature, Tariff Code, Product Classification Code |
| UQC | Unique Quantity Code, Measurement Unit Code |
| ITC | Input Tax Credit, GST Credit, Tax Set-Off |
| Acknowledgement Number | ACK Number, Confirmation Number |