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GSTN will electronically authenticate all business-to-business (B2B) invoices that come under the new e-invoicing system mentioned by the Government. All firms will carry on with the same process to make bills on their own ERP systems, as they have in the past.

To go with the new standardized format, ERP vendors must make moderations to their schema. This new schema will guarantee that invoices are uniform. This essay will walk you through the benefits and drawbacks of the recently implemented e-invoicing system for MSMEs.

What is e-invoicing in the context of GST?

e-Invoice, widely known as ‘Electronic invoicing,’ is a new modified system in which all B2B invoices are getting uploaded and authorized electronically. IRP brings about a unique Invoice Reference Number (IRN) for each invoice when those are successfully authenticated.

All of those invoices are digitally signed and encompass a QR code along with the IRN. Under GST, this technique is referred to as e-invoicing.

Advantages of e-invoicing for MSMEs Business

One of the primary objectives for the government’s use of e-invoicing is to prevent tax fraud and phony invoices. The following are some of the most important advantages that MSMEs will enjoy once the e-invoicing method is fully implemented:

Quick and efficient financial reconciliation

E-invoicing can assist close the gap in data reconciliation, reducing data input mistakes and mismatches. It will also be feasible to follow bills produced by the supplier in real-time, reducing tax audits because the necessary data will be provided at the transactional level.

The tax department is mainly focusing on enabling the pre-population of GST returns, which will put an end to reconciliation issues. Following the implementation of e-invoicing, the data from the invoices may be pre-populated into the relevant tables of the tax returns, eliminating the need for further data entry.

Easier access to Legitimate input Tax Credits

Manual computations in GST forms can result in mistakes and under-or over-claiming of input tax credits. This is the amount that a company is entitled to for the tax that has already been paid on the product. Here are the steps to download your e-voicing from the GST portal.

Any discrepancies in ITC claims can result in significant losses for a company, as well as additional costs for the owner to correct the inaccuracies. With e-invoicing, the buyer’s ITC eligibility is validated since information is accessible in GSTR-2 in real-time.

Reduced Compliance Burden

Information goes to the GSTN system and the e-way bill system since the systems are connected, which reduces compliance. Most of the facts will be pre-populated in return if you keep uploading invoices. Simply include the additional information (B2C), validate, and file the return.

Invoice Tracking is Simple

It is simple to track where the e-invoice is transmitted in real-time when utilizing the e-invoicing system. You will be certain that the invoice will be sent and received. The client’s approval, denial, or pending status for the invoice may also be displayed.

Assist MSMEs in obtaining financing more quickly

Obtaining financing has always been a difficult task for MSMEs. MSMEs must submit a slew of documentation to financial institutions in order to be approved for a loan.

However, with e-invoicing in place, MSMEs may obtain loans very immediately since banks can evaluate them based on these invoices.

Scaling Down the Number of Fraudulent or Identical Invoices

According to the most recent State of Tax Justice report, India is suffering the loss of over Rs 75,000 crore in tax revenue owing to international tax avoidance. The failure of suppliers to digitize invoices has resulted in a rise in fake/duplicate invoices, which leads to tax avoidance.

Implementing an e-invoice process can assist to reduce tax evasion by keeping track of phony invoices and ensuring that tax authorities have access to a single database, which will aid in tax compliance.

Disadvantages of e-invoicing for MSMEs Business

Disruptions in Day-to-Day Functioning

Improving e-invoice error rates is a challenging undertaking for which IRN was previously created since it takes a long time. Even little errors, such as submitting the erroneous buyer GSTIN, put you in a difficult situation.

You could overlook important information indicated in the e-invoice policy, such as the six-digit HSN number required for B2B invoices. You won’t be able to fix the faults on that e-invoice, but you will be able to decline it and issue a newer invoice to report the GSTN.

Furthermore, even if the e-invoice involves mistakes, you are not sanctioned to decline it if it has an active e-way bill tied up with it. E-invoices will not be denied if they are received within 24 hours of their creation.

Credit notes should be used for these concerns that refer to the additional documentation efforts. The technique for improving e-invoices is complicated since correction of e-invoices is not an option available to the assessee.

The lowest level, which falls under medium-sized businesses, finds it difficult to deal with these refusals and revisions to e-invoices. The absence of established and proven procedures is also a factor, as is the choice of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

E-way Bill In touch with E-invoice Errors

The e-way bill is attached to the e-invoice, so the more it departs the time, the more it leads to the abolition of the GST e-invoice and the making of newer ones, with the authenticity not lengthened.

The authenticity of the e-way bill is influenced by the weight of the carrying and the distance traveled. In most circumstances, the validity of e-way invoices is reduced in comparison to the initial requirement. The validity of these e-way bills should be expanded separately on the e-way bill portal.

Furthermore, one should set aside the papers that need the preparation of an e-way bill and are considered onerous tasks that do not benefit from technology or automation.

These various responsibilities may have a detrimental influence on team productivity in a medium or small organization, imposing additional data and putting a strain on the limited resources available to the company.

Extensive Testing is Required

The team’s efficiency is being harmed as a result of improper and incomplete testing of the e-invoicing system. We discovered that the quality of e-invoices is affected by a loss of track in which the firm is not permitted to do pre-defined activities or access obligations.

It is recommended that several departments, such as finance, warehousing, and others, collaborate to create and implement a successful e-invoicing system.

Storage Capacity is Limited

Various medium and small businesses require storage options. One is impacted by the absence of storage facilities as well as servers for IRNs, which GSTN does not provide. The audit entails examining the trail of e-invoices furnished during the annual accounting period.

Conclusion

The Ministry of Finance’s implementation of e-invoice and most recent upgrade in e-invoicing is undoubtedly a mutually advantageous opportunity for companies, particularly MSMEs.

With e-invoicing becoming essential for enterprises with an annual turnover of Rs. 50 crore or more, the tax compliance burden would be greatly reduced. MSMEs will be outfitted with cutting-edge technology, allowing them to operate more efficiently and develop their businesses.

FAQs

Q. How Can MSME Simplify E-Invoicing Issues?

According to the current trend, the best way to deal with e-invoicing difficulties is to invest in cutting-edge technology. MSME enterprises must digitize their operations.

They should make use of accounting software that supports e-invoicing. Because this would be required, MSME business owners will no longer have time to do research. In this case, I recommend Marg ERP 9+ as the finest e-invoicing software for MSMEs. Marg e-invoicing software has been upgraded to include the most up-to-date e-invoicing and audit trail capabilities.

Q. Is it acceptable to convey electronic invoices?

Every electronic invoice is legally acceptable only if that is authenticated and borne out by the IRP on behalf of GSTN.

Q. Which nations have executed the e-Invoicing process?

South Korea, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Norway, and other nations have already accepted the e-Invoicing system.

Q. Is there anyone who is not liable to e-invoicing?

Taxpayers in the following groups are specifically excluded from the e-Invoicing process: Insurance business. Items Transport Agency (GTA) is a banking company or a financial institution, including a non-banking financial company (NBFC), that transports goods by road in a goods carriage.

Q. Is there any possible way to make changes to an e-invoice?

According to GST rules, only the GST site may be used to make changes to an e-Invoice.