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When a sale is reduced after the invoice (goods returned, a lower rate agreed, or the tax charged was too high), you issue a credit note under Section 34 of the CGST Act. This format carries every particular Rule 53(1A) asks for.
Updated 17-10-2026
Blank format with every field in its place. Fill it online, or print it.
[Your business name]
[Address, city, PIN]
GSTIN [15-character GSTIN]
State [State name, code]
Credit note
Original for recipient
Recipient
[Recipient name]
[Address]
GSTIN [GSTIN or UIN, if registered]
State [State, code]
| # | Description | HSN/SAC | Qty | Rate | Taxable value | GST % | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Item description] | [0000] | [Qty Unit] | [₹] | [₹] | [%] | [₹] |
Amount in words
[Rupees … only]
| Field | Rule | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier name, address and GSTIN | Rule 53(1A)(a) | |
| Nature of the document (“Credit note”) | Rule 53(1A)(b) | |
| Consecutive serial number, up to 16 characters, unique in the financial year | Rule 53(1A)(c) | Separate series from invoices is common |
| Date of issue | Rule 53(1A)(d) | |
| Recipient name, address and GSTIN or UIN, if registered | Rule 53(1A)(e) | |
| Unregistered recipient: name, address, delivery address, state name and code | Rule 53(1A)(f) | |
| Serial number(s) and date(s) of the original tax invoice(s) or bill(s) of supply | Rule 53(1A)(g) | |
| Taxable value, tax rate and amount of tax credited | Rule 53(1A)(h) | |
| Signature or digital signature of the supplier or authorised representative | Rule 53(1A)(i) |
A credit note reduces the value or tax of a supply already invoiced. Section 34(1) of the CGST Act lets the supplier issue one when the taxable value or tax charged was more than payable, when goods are returned, or when goods or services are found deficient. The supplier then shows it in GSTR-1, which lowers their output tax, and the buyer's input tax credit goes down by the same amount.
Section 34(2) sets the outer limit: the credit note must be declared in the return for the month of issue, and not later than 30 November following the end of the financial year in which the supply was made, or the date of filing the annual return, whichever is earlier. The 30 November date applies from 1 October 2022 (Finance Act 2022, Notification 18/2022-CT). After that, a credit note can still be issued as a commercial document, but it does not reduce GST.
Since October 2025 the supplier's tax reduction on a credit note is linked to the recipient reversing the matching credit. On the GST portal the buyer accepts, rejects or keeps pending the credit note in the Invoice Management System (IMS). Tell your buyer when you issue one, so it is acted on in time.
A credit note lowers the value or tax; a debit note raises it, for example when a price increase is agreed after the invoice. Both carry the same Rule 53(1A) particulars and refer to the original invoice.
Rules as read on 17-10-2026. Check with your CA before relying on them for a filing.
When the taxable value or tax charged on an invoice was higher than payable, when goods are returned, or when goods or services are found deficient (Section 34(1)).
It must be declared no later than 30 November after the end of the financial year of the supply, or the annual return date if that is earlier (Section 34(2)).
Yes. Rule 53(1A)(g) refers to the serial numbers and dates of the corresponding invoice or invoices, so list each one.
Where e-invoicing applies to your business, B2B credit notes are also reported to the IRP and get an IRN.
No. Under Section 34 the supplier issues the credit note. A buyer returning goods may send their own return document, but the GST credit note comes from the supplier.
Made by the Moharbill team for Indian traders and their CAs.
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