Steps to select GST Suvidha Provider (GSP) for e-Invoicing API Access

A taxpayer needs to register on the e-invoice portal to start with e-invoicing. He will have to generate invoices on his accounting system and upload the same on IRP (Invoice Registration Portal).

Latest Updates on e-Invoicing

8th March 2021
The CBIC has notified that e-Invoicing will be applicable from 1st April 2021 for businesses with an aggregate turnover of more than Rs.50 crores (in any financial year from FY 2017-18 onwards).

29th November 2020
The CBIC issued a notification seeking to waive the penalty imposed on non-compliance of dynamic QR code provisions for B2C invoices between 1st December 2020 and 31st March 2021, provided the eligible registered person complies with these provisions from 1st April 2021.

10th November 2020
The taxpayers having an aggregate turnover exceeding Rs.100 crore should implement e-invoicing from 1st January 2021.

1st October 2020
The applicable taxpayers have been given a grace period of 30 days for generating an Invoice Reference Number (IRN). However, this grace period is valid for the invoices issued between 1st October 2020 to 31st October 2020.

30th September 2020
Now, the aggregate turnover should be checked from FY 2017-18 till FY 2019-20, for checking the applicability of e-invoicing. Also, the date of implementation of the dynamic QR Code for B2C invoices has been extended until 1st December 2020.

30th July 2020
1. A new refined format of e-invoice has been notified by CBIC adding 20 new fields and removing 13 fields. Certain fields have undergone changes in character length as well.
2. e-Invoicing system shall apply to those taxpayers with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 500 crore instead of Rs 100 crore.
3. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) units shall also be exempted from issuing e-invoices.

23rd March 2020
The implementation of e-invoicing and the QR code has been deferred to 1st October 2020.
Exemption from e-Invoicing and QR code has been granted to sectors such as insurance, banking, financial institutions, NBFCs, GTA, passenger transportation service and movie tickets.

Possible modes of connecting with the IRP or e-invoice portal

All registered GST taxpayers who need to generate IRN for e-invoices should connect with the IRP (invoice registration portal) or e-invoice portal. A taxpayer can connect with the IRP with the below-mentioned modes:

1. In the case of the e-way bill, API access is available: If a taxpayer is already registered on the e-way bill portal, he can use the same login credentials to login onto the e-invoice portal. If a taxpayer is already using GSP services on the e-way bill system, there is no need to select the GSP again on the e-invoice portal. But one can change or add the new GSP on the e-invoice portal.
2. In case e-way bill API access is not available: In this case, the taxpayer will have first to register himself on the e-invoice portal, as per the process given in our article- “Steps for registration on the e-invoice portal”.
   1. Direct API access: A taxpayer with a turnover higher than Rs.50 crore can use direct API to connect with IRP. For this direct API integration, a taxpayer needs to test the API integration in a sandbox environment (https://einv-apisandbox.nic.in/) and then send the test summary report support.einv.api@gov.in. After verification, the taxpayer will be provided API production details. 
      This method allows smooth flow of data without the involvement of a third party. But the cost of this direct integration is approximately Rs.5 lakh as per market study and recurring expenses.
   2. API access through GSP: This is the fastest way to connect with IRP because it provides scalability along with real-time support. An enterprise can work with massive volumes as the GSP ensures stable connection with fast performance. Using the service of GSP involves an additional cost, but it provides an uninterrupted connection with the GST portal. 
      GSPs also provide specific value-added services like managing the sale/purchase, GST filing, trend analysis, etc.

Selection of GSP for API access

Step 1: Log in to the e-invoice portal. 

Step 2: From the main menu, select ‘API registration’. Click on the ‘Create API User’ tab under User Credentials in the API registration menu.

A taxpayer will receive an OTP on the registered mobile number. On entering the OTP, the API registration form will open. 

Step 3: In the API registration form, select ‘through GSP’ to integrate the APIs through GSP. The GSP name can be selected from the drop-down list.

Step 4: Select the username and password for GSP and click submit. This will add the GSP to your GSP list. Share this username and password with your GSP so that you can send your e-invoice data through GSP to the e-invoice system. 

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