All about Invoice Reference Number (IRN)

Monisha Chaudhary

30 Mar, 2024

Introduction

The GSTN’s most recent recommendations demand the generation of electronic invoices expressly for B2B transactions for companies with annual revenue above Rs. 10 crores. It’s crucial to remember that not all forms of documentation or transactions between companies will be considered for e-invoicing. Currently, in addition to export invoices, the scope of e-invoicing includes invoices, credit notes, and debit notes sent to other registered companies, which are effectively B2B transactions.

The Invoice Reference Number (IRN), which users can retrieve even if it was not initially recorded for an invoice, debit note or credit note, has been made available through the Goods and Services Tax Network, or GSTN. The electronic invoicing system enables GST-registered employees to upload Business-to-Business invoices to the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP)¹. The IRP then creates and sends the user a distinct Invoice Reference Number, an electronically signed e-invoice, and a QR code.

What is Invoice Reference Number (IRN)?

The Invoice Reference Number (IRN), often known as a hash, is a distinctive identification created only by the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) as a component of the e-invoicing system. Within the Goods and Services Tax (GST) scope, this method is intended to standardize and streamline the invoicing procedure. The Invoice Reference Number (IRN) includes several components, including alphabetic letters, numeric digits, and special characters, and has a total length of 64 characters.

The IRN’s primary purpose is to act as a reference point for confirming an invoice’s legitimacy. Any system can determine the legitimacy of an invoice by using this unique alphanumeric code. As a precautionary measure, this verification procedure ensures that a vendor does not submit the same invoice more than once throughout a fiscal year. An invoice Reference Number (IRN) essentially serves as a digital signature for invoices, preventing bogus or duplicate entries.

The Invoice Reference Number (IRN) can potentially displace the conventional physical copy of an invoice in real-world applications. Businesses can use the Invoice Reference Number (IRN) as a digital marking to confirm the integrity of an invoice rather than relying on a paper-based record. The switch to digital documentation can result in less paper, more productivity, and better accuracy in record-keeping.

The GST INV-01 form must be submitted to the authorized portal to generate the IRN. The form includes a variety of crucial information about the transaction. Notably, it calls for details on the item’s receiver and the consignee. The recipient’s name, address, state, and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) are essential information included. These details guarantee the transaction is documented correctly and appropriately ascribed to the involved parties.

What is used to generate an Invoice Reference Number (IRN)?

• GSTIN
• Details of the supplier
• Financial year
• Information about the type of document

How to Generate an Invoice Reference Number (IRN)?

The following two options are available for the company to choose from when generating IRN:

Option 1: Using the Excel tool offline

There is an option to enter invoices in the required format within a spreadsheet, which results in the instant development of IRN. Users can enter the e-invoice site to get instructions on using the Help Tools Bulk Generation tools to create a bulk upload request for IRNS. When the majority upload request file is prepared, it must be uploaded in order to start the creation of IRNS. The detailed IRN form with all the information is available for download after the IRNs have been produced.

Option 2: Using GST Suvidha Provider or directly with the e-invoice portal or IRP via API connectivity.

• Prevention of Tax Evasion: The GST system significantly reduces tax avoidance by requiring invoice IRN. Tax authorities carefully monitor IRN production, allowing them to keep track of transactions and confirm the legitimacy of invoices. This proactive strategy deters any attempts to dodge taxes.

• Promotion of Digital Transformation: Using an Invoice Reference Number (IRN) is in accordance with more fundamental goals for digital transformation. It encourages companies to adopt digital invoicing, which lessens their reliance on paper-based records. This move towards digitalization improves operational effectiveness while fostering a more environmentally friendly and sustainable company environment.

• Simplification of Compliance Procedures: IRN makes Businesses’ compliance procedures simpler. It harmonizes the billing procedure, lessening the possibility of mistakes or inconsistent invoice forms. In turn, this streamlining makes it easier to communicate with tax authorities and reduces difficulties with compliance.

• Tax Compliance: The automated and uniform processes of the system make it simpler for companies to adhere to tax laws. It reduces non-compliance risk by ensuring that invoices are prepared per the appropriate legal requirements.

• Enhanced Business Efficiency: Business operations are more effective because to improve invoicing procedures, and fewer errors take place. Time formerly used for manual data input and reconciliation can be put towards essential company operations, promoting development and innovation.

• Reduction in Processing Costs: Processing manual invoices can be time-consuming and expensive. Numerous invoicing components are automated via the e-Invoice/IRN system, significantly minimizing the requirement for manual involvement. As a result, business processing expenses are lowered, and operational efficiency is raised.

• Automated Financial Reporting: Financial reporting systems can be automated due to the e-Invoice/IRN system’s easy integration. The reporting of financial documents is automated, resulting in accurate and prompt reporting of transactions. Due to this automation, companies no longer have to gather and submit reports manually.

Conclusion

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework’s e-invoicing system’s Invoice Reference Number (IRN) is crucial. The IRN is critical to eliminating duplicate invoices and confirming the legitimacy of transactions since it acts as a distinct identifier for each invoice. This method can potentially replace invoices on paper and improve the procedure, providing advantages like less paperwork and more productivity. The GST INV-01 form must be submitted in order to generate an IRN, which requires thorough information about the parties to the transaction and the specifications of each item. This modern invoicing approach highlights technology’s constant development in taxation and financial operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read our Article: Activities Clearly Classified As Goods or Services under GST

1. https://einvoice1.gst.gov.in/