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Accessing and Downloading Electronic Way Bill Records

The e-way bill system streamlines GST compliance for goods transportation, making electronic way bill history a vital document for all stakeholders. This article guides users through checking and downloading their e-way bill records from the portal. Maintaining these records locally is crucial for compliance, managing expiring bills, mitigating internet downtime, informing business decisions, and providing legal evidence.

📖 3 min read read🏷️ E-Way Bill Management

The e-way bill system simplifies reporting, tracking, and monitoring GST compliance for goods movement across India. Consequently, electronic way bill history is crucial documentation for all GST network participants: suppliers, recipients, transporters, and tax authorities. This article details how to review and download e-way bill records for local documentation by stakeholders.

Importance of Retaining Electronic Way Bill History

The e-way bill system offers ease of use, allowing rapid bill generation online. Suppliers only need to provide information concerning goods movement before transportation commences. All submitted details remain accessible online for stakeholders to verify, validate, and respond to as necessary. Furthermore, the system supports various methods for generating e-way bills.

However, it is also vital for suppliers, recipients, and transporters to download and locally save their e-way bill history. The reasons include:

  • Record of Expiring Bills: Stakeholders can monitor e-way bills nearing expiration within the portal. It is expected that these bills are downloaded as part of the documentation for indirect tax compliance.
  • Mitigation of Internet and Portal Downtime: Locally saved e-way bill records ensure access even during internet outages or system malfunctions. Suppliers and recipients can readily share these records with transporters, legal counsel, and accounting departments.
  • Essential Data for Managerial Decisions: Business and logistics operations increasingly rely on data. These records provide critical information for informed management decisions.
  • Legal Evidence: Such records can serve as legal proof in future proceedings related to goods and services supply. As authorities enhance efforts to combat tax fraud, stakeholders may need to present these records in court or to investigators, even if not directly involved in wrongdoing.

How to Access Electronic Way Bill History

Any registered stakeholder can search and review e-way bill history via the e-way bill portal using straightforward steps.

It is important to remember that stakeholders can view e-way bill history by searching for specific e-way bill numbers. If a particular number is forgotten, reports can be consulted to locate the desired bill.

  • Step 1: Access the e-way portal; log in using your user ID, password, and the captcha verification code.
  • Step 2: After successful validation of credentials and captcha, the e-way portal's main menu will display.
  • Step 3: From the left-side drop-down menu, select the "REPORT" tab. This section includes various reports such as 'e-way generated by me', 'e-way generated by others', and 'Outward supply'. Each report contains vital stakeholder-specific data related to goods supply.
  • Step 4: Examine these reports to track your electronic way bill history.

How to Download Electronic Way Bill History

In addition to online viewing, stakeholders can download e-way bills from the portal. The process involves similar steps to checking the history:

  • Step 1: Log in to the e-way portal using your ID, password, and captcha verification.
  • Step 2: Search for the specific e-way bill history you require and obtain the e-way number from the corresponding report.
  • Step 3: Navigate to the 'Print EWB' tab located under the 'e-waybill' dropdown menu.
  • Step 4: Upon clicking 'Print e-way', a new page will open. Enter or paste your e-way bill number and click the "GO" button.
  • Step 5: The system will retrieve the requested e-way bill from its database, displaying it in the specified format.
  • Step 6: You can then print the report in physical form or save it as a PDF for local storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save my electronic way bill history for documentation?

Yes, every registered stakeholder is permitted to download and store their e-way bill history in either physical or digital formats, or both, for record-keeping. This practice is considered good GST compliance and offers various benefits to the stakeholder.

What details are included in an electronic way bill history?

  • E-way bill identification number
  • Date of the e-way bill
  • Name of the entity that generated the bill
  • Validity period of the bill
  • GST identification number of the supplier
  • GST identification number of the recipient
  • Point of dispatch
  • Point of delivery
  • Invoice document number
  • Valuation of the goods being transported
  • Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) code for goods classification
  • Reason for transportation
  • Name of the transporter
  • Mode of transport
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Vehicle entry date and time

How can I check e-way bills generated by others that involve my GSTIN?

You can verify e-way bills generated by other parties that include your GSTIN through two methods:

  • If the e-way bill number is known: Go to the 'Print e-way' tab, type or paste the specific e-way number, and click print.
  • If the e-way bill number is unknown: Access the 'Reports' tab and select 'Others e-way reports' from the dropdown menu. This will display a list of all applicable e-way bills associated with your GSTIN. From this list, you can identify and retrieve the specific e-way bill number.

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India?
The primary purpose of GST in India is to simplify the indirect tax structure by replacing multiple taxes (like VAT, excise duty, service tax) with a single, unified tax. This aims to create a common national market and streamline tax administration.
Who is required to register for GST?
Businesses exceeding a certain turnover threshold (which varies by state and type of goods/services) are generally required to register for GST. Voluntary registration is also available, and certain businesses, like those involved in inter-state supply, must register regardless of turnover.
What are the different types of GST components in India?
In India, GST consists of four main components: Central GST (CGST) levied by the Centre, State GST (SGST) levied by states, Integrated GST (IGST) for inter-state transactions, and Union Territory GST (UTGST) for Union Territories.
Can Input Tax Credit (ITC) be claimed on all purchases?
Input Tax Credit (ITC) can generally be claimed on goods and services used for business purposes. However, there are certain 'blocked credits' where ITC cannot be claimed, such as for personal consumption, motor vehicles (with some exceptions), and specific works contract services.
What is the HSN code in GST and why is it important?
HSN stands for Harmonized System of Nomenclature, an internationally recognized system for classifying goods. In GST, HSN codes are used to classify products, which helps in determining the applicable tax rates, simplifying tax compliance, and ensuring uniformity in trade.

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