IndiaFilings
Expert
Published on: Mar 28, 2026
Time of Supply of Goods
The
Model GST Law unveiled by the Finance Ministry in June 2016 has defined applicability of GST in India with the definition for the time of supply of goods. It is important to understand the concept of time of supply of goods to determine GST applicability. In this article, we review the definition for the time of supply of goods under GST law.- The liability to pay CGST/SGST on services shall arise at the time of supply, as determined in terms of the provisions of this section.
- The time of supply of services shall be:
- the date of issue of invoice or the date of receipt of payment, whichever is earlier, if the invoice is issued within the prescribed period; or
- the date of completion of the provision of service or the date of receipt of payment, whichever is earlier, if the invoice is not issued within the prescribed period; or
- the date on which the recipient shows the receipt of services in his books of account, in a case where the provisions of clause (a) or (b) do not apply.
- Explanation 1 - For the purposes of clauses (a) and (b), the 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 purpose of clause (a) and (b) of sub-section (2), “the date of receipt of payment” shall be the date on which the payment is entered in the books of accounts of the supplier or the date on which the payment is credited to his bank account, whichever is earlier.
- where the due date of payment is ascertainable from the contract, the date on which the payment is liable to be made by the recipient of service, whether or not an invoice has been issued or any payment has been received by the supplier of service;
- the date of receipt of services, or
- in a case where a periodical return has to be filed, be the date on which such return is to be filed; or
