The Central Goods and Services Act, 2017 (CGST Act)
Section 12 – Time of supply of goods
(1) The liability to pay tax on goods shall arise at the time of supply as determined in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) The time of supply of goods shall be the earlier of the following dates namely:—
(a) the date of issue of invoice by the supplier or the last date on which he is required, under section 31 to issue the invoice with respect to the supply or
(b) the date on which the supplier receives the payment with respect to the supply:
Provided that where the supplier of taxable goods receives an amount up to one thousand rupees in excess of the amount indicated in the tax invoice the time of supply to the extent of such excess amount shall at the option of the said supplier be the date of issue of invoice in respect of such excess amount.
Explanation 1.––For the purposes of clauses (a) and (b)“supply” shall be deemed to have been made to the extent it is covered by the invoice or as the case may be the payment.
Explanation 2.––For the purposes of clause (b) “the date on which the supplier receives the payment” shall be the date on which the payment is entered in his books of account or the date on which the payment is credited to his bank account whichever is earlier.
(3) In case of supplies in respect of which tax is paid or liable to be paid on reverse charge basis the time of supply shall be the earliest of the following dates namely:—
(a) the date of the receipt of goods; or
(b) the date of payment as entered in the books of account of the recipient or the date on which the payment is debited in his bank account whichever is earlier or
(c) the date immediately following thirty days from the date of issue of invoice or any other document by whatever name called in lieu thereof by the supplier: Provided that where it is not possible to determine the time of supply under clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) the time of supply shall be the date of entry in the books of account of the recipient of supply.
(4) In case of supply of vouchers by a supplier the time of supply shall be—
(a) the date of issue of voucher if the supply is identifiable at that point or
(b) the date of redemption of voucher in all other cases.
(5) Where it is not possible to determine the time of supply under the provisions of sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) the time of supply shall––
(a) in a case where a periodical return has to be filed be the date on which such return is to be filed or
(b) in any other case be the date on which the tax is paid.
(6) The time of supply to the extent it relates to an addition in the value of supply by way of interest late fee or penalty for delayed payment of any consideration shall be the date on which the supplier receives such addition in value.