Tax Invoice Format for Reverse Charge Outward Supplies: Meeting the Compliance Standards

In today’s Good and Service Tax regime, the reverse charge mechanism has emerged as a much-talked topic. In general, the supplier of the goods and services pays the service tax, but as per RCM, the liability for tax payment lies with the recipient of the goods and services.

1. Standard tax invoice format for RCM transactions

A GST invoice is prepared, mentioning all the details of transacting and adding the GST amount, both input tax and output tax. Every business person with GST registration should provide GST invoices to their customers.

Proper maintenance of RCM transactions is necessary for all types of transactions relating to reverse charges. Every standard RCM invoice should contain the appropriate recipient name, GST number, and other essential information relating to the reverse charge mechanism.

Every RCM invoice should contain the necessary information to ensure the accuracy of every transaction. All can check below the things to be included in every RCM invoice format.

The above information is required to be included in the invoice as per the reverse charge mechanism.

captainbiz self invoice format under gst

Image- RCM Invoice Format

2. Compliance with tax authority guidelines

The GST Council has mentioned necessary rules relating to tax compliance. Individuals or enterprises dealing under GST rules need to follow the guidelines implemented by the GST council relating to tax compliance. The council has shared the necessary rules relating to the proper and accurate maintenance of GST records. All need to follow the rules relating to

Many still want to know details about GST compliance. It is a rating process where the government gives a score to every business so that other organizations can check how compliant the company is with the tax authority.

Every business organization must follow the compliance guidance mentioned by the GST Council. Companies are required to check the updates relating to GST compliance guidance. The council has classified the compliance rules into three categories, and this compliance relates to registration, tax invoices, and return filing.

Compliance relating to GST Registration

Getting registered under GST is the first step in GST compliance. Companies need to log in to the website gst.gov.in and complete the registration process. The registration under GST is done based on the annual turnover of every organization.

Compliance to follow relating to Tax invoice

Compliance with the tax invoice is another criterion that every company carrying on business under GST rules should follow. This compliance is necessary to get the input tax credit on time.

At first, every business needs to prepare a pro forma invoice when they start selling their goods and services. It is necessary to incorporate the following details in the invoice:.

Every business should mention every item with a proper description in the GST invoice to meet the required compliance requirements. If any business does not follow the compliance rules relating to GST invoices, the penalty will be levied as below.

Compliance Relating to GST Return

Every business organization having GST registration should file GST returns within specified times. The returns need to be submitted as per GST guidelines

Organizations need to submit GST returns depending on the business’s activity. Individuals need to fill out the GST returns online.

3. Accurate and complete invoice information

Every invoice prepared under the Reverse Charge Mechanism should be filled out with the utmost accuracy. Details relating to name, address, GSTIN number, types of goods supplied, tax rate, and total taxable amount should be entered with the utmost accuracy.

Invoice accuracy ensures that every company follows the required GST rules. Accurate invoice preparation avoids overpayments and duplicate payments as well. This way, it can reduce the risk of fraud and other tax complications.

4. Proper invoice numbering and sequencing

Every invoice should have the necessary and appropriate number. The sequencing of every invoice must be maintained. One can check the practices of invoice numbering below.

captainbiz best practices to generate an invoice number

5. Maintaining invoice records for audit purposes

It is necessary to generate invoices for audit trails, and this process needs various methods to follow. Every business organization should take the proper steps to maintain invoices accurately for audit purposes. At present, proper maintenance of invoices can also be done by using advanced software. All can check the below steps to maintain proper invoicing for audit purposes.

A brief on the Reverse charge mechanism

GST, or Goods and Services Tax in India, comes with several tax patterns and rates. The Reverse Charge Mechanism, or RCM, is another important part of the Goods and Services Tax, where the recipient of the goods and services is required to pay the tax. As per RCM, the supplier of the goods and services does not need to pay the GST.

Applicability of RCM

The reverse charge mechanism comes into effect when there is a deal between an unregistered dealer and a registered dealer. This tax mechanism is applicable in the case of an intra-state transaction. This mechanism is applicable under sections 9(3), 9(4), and 9(5) as per the Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST) Acts.

The suppliers need to mention the details of transactions relating to RCM as per GST Return -1. You will find Table 3D of the GST Return-1, where every supplier needs to mention it to RCM. The recipient needs to mention the purchase details as per the invoice in the GST ANX-1.

Once the details are filled out by the recipient, the information will be filled out automatically in Table 3B of the GST Return-1.

Supply of goods and services from Unregistered to Registered dealer

The GST Council has mentioned under Section 9(4) of the CGST Act that a reverse charge is applicable when an unregistered dealer supplies goods to a registered dealer. As per this rule, the recipient of the goods is required to pay the GST in place of the supplier. Here, the registered purchaser needs to do self-invoicing to pay the GST.

Again, in the case of every intra-state purchase, the receiver of the goods and services needs to pay CGST and SGST under the RCM. Again, if the transaction is interstate, the buyer needs to pay the IGST.

Supply of goods and services via an e-commerce operator

At present, all businesses use e-commerce portals to deal with different goods and services. Transactions via e-commerce portals are attracted by the CGST Act under Section 9(5). A reverse charge is applicable if a dealer deals in different types of goods and services through an e-commerce portal.

GST returns to fill

While you are going to fill out GST returns online, it is necessary to understand the type of GST returns available online.

Final Thought

As per GST guidelines, reverse charging has emerged as a crucial tool for creating tax compliance and proper collection of revenue. All the required details should be maintained in every invoice for RCM.

While preparing RCM invoices, every company should mention all the necessary and correct details in the invoice. This is necessary to overcome any legal issues and avoid unnecessary penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is GST, as per the reverse charge, considered an input tax?

As per the GST council’s rules, the GST paid under the reverse charge mechanism is known as input tax. The goods and services for which ITC is claimed should be used only for business purposes.

2. Is RCM applicable to payments made for hiring transport?

As per Section 9(3) of the GST Act, RCM applies to the GTA. So, RCM does not apply to the transport of goods. However, in case of the vehicle taken on rent or lease, RCM will be attracted under section 9(4)

4. Who is responsible for issuing tax invoices under RCM?

The recipients of the goods and services are responsible for issuing invoices under the reverse charge mechanism (RCM). The receiver should mention while filing GST that tax payment is done under the Reverse Charge Mechanism.

5. When is ITC claimed as per RCM?

The taxpayer, who pays tax under the reverse charge mechanism (RCM), can claim ITC in the following month. The recipient can take advantage of ITC, or input tax credit. Here, it is necessary to check that all the goods and services should be used for business purposes.

6. Can the RCM invoice be modified?

The invoice format of RCM can be modified as per the company’s requirements. It should contain all the necessary information relating to the transactions. The modification should be done with accurate information.

7. What will happen if the RCM format is not followed?

As per the GST rule, the RCM invoice format should be followed according to the guidelines. If taxpayers don’t follow the rules, then penalties will be levied.

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Bhaswati M Content Manager

Bhaswati, a seasoned writer, embarked on her prolific writing journey 12 years ago, seamlessly blending her expertise in finance and technology to craft insightful blogs and articles that demystify complex subjects for readers worldwide.