Section 31(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 prescribes the time at which the tax invoice should be issued by a registered taxable person supplying goods. Accordingly, the due date for issuance of invoice would be as follows:
(a) Supply involves movement of goods – It is provided that the tax invoice should be issued before or at the time of removal of goods for supply to the recipient. As such, it is inferred that the date of removal of goods shall be the ‘due date of issuance of invoice’, unless invoice is actually issued before such date.
(b) Any other case – before or at the time of delivery of goods or making goods
available to the recipient. As such, it is inferred that the date on which goods are delivered to the recipient or the date on which goods are made available to the recipient is the ‘due date of issuance of invoice’ , unless invoice is actually issued before such date. Proviso to Section 31(1) of the CGST Act, 2017 also empowers the Government by way of notification, to specify the categories of goods or supplies in respect of which a tax invoice shall be issued, within such time and in such manner as may be prescribed .
(ICAI FAQ PUBLICATION 06-09-2017 TIME OF SUPPLY OF GOODS: FAQ NO. 3)