Why e-invoicing gets stuck in many shops
Once a business crosses the e-invoice turnover limit, a B2B bill is not complete until it has an Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and a signed QR code from the government's Invoice Registration Portal (IRP). Many shops end up typing each B2B bill a second time on the portal, copying the IRN back by hand and reprinting. On a busy day that means mistakes, and a buyer whose credit is stuck because the IRN on their copy does not match.
Whether e-invoicing applies to you depends on your turnover across all GSTINs on your PAN, and a few kinds of business are exempt. Our guide to e-invoicing under GST has the current rules. Check with your CA before you decide.
What Cartix Prime does
Cartix Prime works with the portal's own bulk-upload route. You keep billing in Cartix Prime as usual. When the B2B bills are ready, it does three things:
- Checks each bill first. Before a bill goes into the file, Cartix Prime checks the details the portal needs, such as the buyer's GSTIN, HSN codes and tax, so a bad bill is caught in the shop and not rejected by the portal later.
- Makes the bulk-upload JSON. The bills you pick are put into one JSON file in the format the IRP takes for bulk upload.
- Brings the IRNs back. After you upload the file, the portal gives you a result file. Import it into Cartix Prime and each bill gets its IRN and signed QR, matched to the right invoice.
From then on, the bill prints with the IRN and the signed QR code. Your buyer gets a valid e-invoice, and you did not type a single bill twice.
An honest note: no direct API
Cartix Prime does not connect to the IRP directly. There is no automatic IRN at the moment you press save. The shop uploads the file on the portal with its own login and imports the result file back. For most shops this takes a few minutes at the end of a batch of bills. If you need an IRN generated inside the billing screen through an API, Cartix Prime is not that, and it is better you know now.
How it works
- Make B2B bills in Cartix Prime as usual. Save registered buyers once with their GSTIN.
- Open e-invoices, pick the bills that need an IRN and let Cartix Prime check them.
- Fix anything it flags, such as a missing HSN code or a wrong GSTIN.
- Download the bulk-upload JSON file.
- Sign in to the e-invoice portal and upload the file there.
- Download the portal's result file and import it into Cartix Prime.
- Print or share the bill. It now shows the IRN and the signed QR.
The IRN has to be generated within the time the rules allow after the invoice date. The guide explains the reporting time limit; keep your uploads regular so no bill is left out.
What the bill shows
An e-invoice is still your own tax invoice, with your logo, GSTIN, the buyer's GSTIN, HSN codes and the tax split by rate. Cartix Prime adds the IRN and the signed QR code once they come back from the portal. On A4 you also get the HSN summary, the amount in words, bank details and terms, with up to 3 copies. The rest of the GST invoice format stays the same.
It fits with the rest of your GST work
The same bills feed your GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B reports, so the B2B table and your e-invoices come from one set of data. Goods going out in a vehicle may also need an e-way bill; Cartix Prime makes that upload file too, see e-way bill software.
Who it suits
- Distributors and wholesalers who bill shops, hotels and institutions every day
- Large supermarkets with a B2B counter for registered buyers
- Medical distributors who also need batch and expiry on the bill (also on Gold)
- Van sales businesses that bill retailers on a route
A small kirana shop that sells only to walk-in customers usually has no B2B bills to register. If you are not sure whether you are covered, ask your CA.
Which plan
E-invoice is on Gold and Platinum. Gold costs ₹8,999 a year for 1 computer and 1 phone, or ₹1,899 for a phone only, before 18% GST. Gold also gives you e-way bill files, the GSTR-2B ITC match and full accounts with Tally export. See pricing for every plan. You can start with 7 days of Silver free, no card needed, and move to Gold when you are ready.
Questions people ask
What is the best way to generate an e-invoice from billing software?
Your billing software should check each B2B bill, prepare the file the IRP accepts and print the IRN and signed QR once they come back. Cartix Prime does this through the bulk-upload JSON on the Gold plan; you upload the file on the portal yourself.
Does Cartix Prime generate the IRN automatically through an API?
No. There is no direct API connection to the e-invoice portal. Cartix Prime makes the bulk-upload JSON, you upload it on the portal, and you import the portal result file back. The IRN and signed QR then go on the bill.
How do I print the IRN and QR code on my invoice?
After uploading the JSON on the IRP, download the result file and import it into Cartix Prime. Each bill gets its IRN and signed QR, and they print on the bill from then on.
Is e-invoicing compulsory for my shop?
It depends on your aggregate turnover across all GSTINs on your PAN, and some kinds of business are exempt. Our e-invoicing guide explains the current limit. Check with your CA for your own case.
Which plan of Cartix Prime has e-invoice?
Gold and Platinum. Gold is ₹8,999 a year for a computer and a phone, or ₹1,899 for a phone only, before GST. It also includes e-way bill files and the GSTR-2B match.