e-Invoice JSON: Format, Use, Validation Error and Software Changes Explained

A GST taxpayer often encounters JSON file and JSON errors while filing GST returns. The use of JSON file is going to be more frequent under the e-invoicing system. Invoice JSON and e-invoice JSON are not the same.

Latest Update

10th May 2023
CBIC notified the sixth phase of e-invoicing. Henceforth, taxpayers with INR 5 Crore+ turnover in any financial year from 2017-18 must issue e-invoices w.e.f 1st August 2023.

6th May 2023
The GST Network has deferred the implementation of rule to fix time limit of 7 days for reporting the old e-invoices on the IRP portals by three months. Further, the department is yet to announce the new implementation date.

13th April 2023
The GSTN released an advisory on 12th and 13th April 2023 stating that taxpayers with an annual turnover of Rs.100 crore and more must report tax invoices and credit-debit notes to the IRP within 7 days from the date of issue of the invoice/CDN from 1st May 2023.

1st August 2022 
The e-Invoicing system for B2B transactions has now been extended to those with an annual aggregate turnover of more than Rs.10 crore up to Rs.20 crore starting from 1st October 2022, vide notification no. 17/2022. 

What is a JSON file?

It is a JAVA-based computer file. It is an open-standard file format that uses human-readable text to transmit data objects consisting of attribute-value pairs and array data types. It is in an easy to read and write format. The JSON format is often used for transmitting structured data between a server and web application. Thus, it serves as an alternative to XML.

e-Invoice JSON Objects

Below are the e-invoice JSON objects:

JSON validations and error log or report

Some of the major areas where JSON validations come up are:  

Where is the JSON file used under GST?

The JSON file is used under GST for submitting invoice information on various government portals for GST compliance. It includes filing of GST returns and generation of e-way bills. In its latest application,  it will be used for generating an e-invoice.

Purpose and uses of JSON file

JSON syntax is very easy to use and is one of the best tools for sharing data of any size because it stores data in arrays and makes data transfer easier and faster. Thus, a JSON file is used for uploading invoice data for GST return filing in GSTR-1 and generation of e-way bill. Under the e-invoicing system, the seller will have to upload the JSON invoice data onto the IRP. Thereafter, the IRP shall send back the signed JSON to the seller. 

How to extract invoices into JSON format and approaches followed?

A taxpayer has to raise a normal invoice on his accounting software by providing all the necessary details as per e-invoice schema such as billing name and address, GSTIN of the supplier, transaction value, tax amount, etc. After creating an invoice the taxpayer must report this with IRP by uploading in JSON file. Let us understand the invoice extraction options and routes available to upload invoice data with IRP. Ultimately by either of the options or routes, a JSON file will be uploaded on IRP.  

Invoice Extraction Options:

• Download invoices in excel format (.csv or .xlsx) in case of using third-party applications (ASP)/GSP. These applications will convert data into JSON files for uploading on the IRP.
• Get an API integration done to extract the JSON of invoices directly from the billing/ERP system.

Routes to approach IRP:

• By using Third-Party Applications (ASP): 
  The advantage of using third-party applications is that bulk uploading of JSONs will be taken care of by the applications themselves on behalf of the users. The option is favourable for the category of taxpayers having an aggregate turnover between Rs.5 crore and Rs.500 crore. JSON validation will be done.
• By using ASP that is also a GSP: 
  The advantage of opting this route would help in achieving scalability and also benefit from archiving. The government has released APIs to GSPs along with those taxpayers with aggregate turnover over Rs.500 crore. Taxpayers, using GSPs interface, will get an API User name and password. The GSPs will validate the data before submitting to IRP, as per the JSON Schema and business rules.

• Direct Interaction with IRP via API:   
  This option is currently made available to taxpayers with aggregate turnover over Rs.500 crore. Taxpayers, using direct APIs, will get Client ID, ClientSecret, an API user name and password. By using convertors/tools available online, a taxpayer can also convert an invoice into JSON by using converters available online but this method takes time as the taxpayer has to upload one invoice at a time.

Sample format of JSON

The government has released two types of e-invoice format. One is only with mandatory fields and the other one is with both mandatory and optional fields. Below is the template with only mandatory fields: There are two types of JSON that deal with e-invoicing. One is Request JSON and the second one is Response JSON. A taxpayer uploads his details into IRP through Request JSON and the IRP, in turn, provides validation errors, status and other information through Response JSON.  The JSON format of an Invoice is given below:

{
“TaxSch”:”GST”,
“Version”:”1.0”,
“Irn”:””,
"TranDtls": {
"Catg": "B2B",
"RegRev": "RG",
"Typ": "REG",
"EcmTrnSel": false,
"EcmTrn": "N",
"EcmGstin": null
},
"DocDtls": {
"Typ": "INV",
"No": "sadsd",
"Dt": "2019-11-25",
"OrgInvNo": null
},
"ExpDtls": {
"ExpCat": null,
"WthPay": null,
"ShipBNo": null,
"ShipBDt": "2019-11-25",
"Port": null,
"InvForCur": 0,
"ForCur": "BDT",
"CntCode": "BD"
},
"SellerDtls": {
"Gstin": "37BZNPM9430M1kl",
"TrdNm": "TAN TEST NIC",
"Bno": "TEST2",
"Bnm": "TEST1",
"Flno": "3RD FLOOR",
"Loc": "GANDHINAGAR",
"Dst": null,
"Pin": 518001,
"Stcd": 37,
"Ph": null,
"Em": null
},
"BuyerDtls": {
"Gstin": "37BZNPM9430M1kl",
"TrdNm": "TAN TEST NIC",
"Bno": "TEST2",
"Bnm": "TEST1",
"Flno": "3RD FLOOR",
"Loc": "GANDHINAGAR",
"Dst": null,
"Pin": 518001,
"Stcd": 37,
"Ph": null,
"Em": null
},
"DispDtls": {
"Gstin": "37BZNPM9430M1kl",
"TrdNm": "TAN TEST NIC",
"Bno": "TEST2",
"Bnm": "TEST1",
"Flno": "3RD FLOOR",
"Loc": "GANDHINAGAR",
"Dst": null,
"Pin": 518001,
"Stcd": 37,
"Ph": null,
"Em": null
},
"ShipDtls": {
"Gstin": "37BZNPM9430M1kl",
"TrdNm": "TAN TEST NIC",
"Bno": "TEST2",
"Bnm": "TEST1",
"Flno": "3RD FLOOR",
"Loc": "GANDHINAGAR",
"Dst": null,
"Pin": 518001,
"Stcd": 37,
"Ph": null,
"Em": null
},
"ValDtls": {
"AssVal": 100.00,
"CgstVal": 1.50,
"SgstVal": 1.50,
"IgstVal": 0.00,
"CesVal": 15.00,
"StCesVal": 36.00,
"CesNonAdVal": 0.00,
"Disc": 0, "OthChrg": 0,
"TotInvVal": 154.00,
},
"RefDtls": {
"InvRmk": null,
"InvStDt": "2019
-11
-25",
"InvEndDt": "2019
-11
-25",
"PrecInvNo": null,
"PrecInvDt": "2019
-11
-25",
"RecAdvRef": null,
"TendRef": null,
"ContrRef": null,
"ExtRef": null,
"ProjRef": null,
"PORef": null
},
"PayDtls": {
"Nam": null,
"Mode": null,
"FinInsBr": null,
"PayTerm": null,
"PayInstr": null,
"CrTrn": null,
"DirDr": null,
"CrDay": null,
"BalAmt": null,
"PayDueDt": null,
"AcctDet": null
},
"ItemsList":”Item” [{
"PrdNm": "dfasf",
"PrdDesc": "dfdfsdf",
"HsnCd": "10",
“BarCde”:””,
"Qty": 10,
“FreeQty”:0,
"Unit": "bag",
"UnitPrice": 10,
"TotAmt": 0,
"CgstRt": 1.500,
"SgstRt": 0,
"IgstRt": 0,
"CesRt": 15.000,
"CesNonAdVal": 0,
"StateCes": 36.000,
"TotItemVal": 100,
"Discount": 0,
"OthChrg": 0,
“AssAmt”:0
}]
}