How to Cancel E-Invoice Quickly on the GST Portal

If you're wondering how to cancel e invoice quickly and easily on the GST portal, you're in the right place. Whether you're a small shop owner, a wholesaler, or a service provider, issuing e-invoices has become a standard part of doing business in India. 

But what happens when there’s an error in the invoice? That’s when you need to know how to cancel it the right way.

In this article, we’ll walk you through e-invoice cancellation, common reasons to cancel, step-by-step instructions, key rules to follow, and how tools like GimBooks make it all easier.

What Is E-Invoice Cancellation?

E-invoice cancellation is the process of nullifying a wrongly generated GST invoice on the government portal. If you've made a mistake, the amount is wrong, or the customer details are incorrect, you don't need to panic.

As per GST rules, you can cancel it within a specific time limit.

Remember, once an invoice is canceled, its IRN (Invoice Reference Number) becomes invalid and can't be reused.

Common Reasons for E-Invoice Cancellation

You may need to cancel an invoice for various reasons, such as:

• Wrong GSTIN or customer name.
• Incorrect invoice amount.
• Duplicate invoice generation.
• Goods not supplied.
• Mistaken product or service description.

Time Limit for Cancelling E-Invoice

You must cancel your e-invoice within 24 hours of generation. After this period, the invoice cannot be canceled on the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP). You’ll need to amend or report the cancellation in GSTR-1 instead.

So, always act fast if you realize there's a mistake.

How to Cancel E-Invoice on GST Portal: Step-by-Step

Let’s now understand how to cancel e invoice using the government’s e-invoice portal.

Step 1: Visit the e-Invoice Portal

Go to https://einvoice1.gst.gov.in

Step 2: Login

Use your GSTIN and password to log in to the portal.

Step 3: Navigate to the ‘E-Invoice’ Section

Click on ‘E-Invoice’ > ‘Cancel’ in the dashboard menu.

Step 4: Enter IRN

You’ll be asked to enter the 64-character IRN or upload the JSON file of the invoice.

Step 5: Choose the Reason for Cancellation

From the dropdown menu, select the reason, like "Duplicate Invoice" or "Wrong Details".

Step 6: Confirm and Submit

Click ‘Submit’. The portal will cancel your invoice instantly, and a message will be displayed.

Important Note: The IRN for that invoice becomes inactive permanently. You can’t reuse it.

What If 24 Hours Have Passed?

How do I cancel an e-way bill after 24 hours or an invoice beyond the 24-hour window?

You can’t cancel it through the e-invoice portal. Instead:

• Report the cancellation in your GSTR-1 return.
• Issue a credit note referencing the original invoice.
• Make sure the credit note is reflected in the buyer’s GSTR-2A.

This way, the buyer gets notified, and the impact is reflected in your returns.

How to Cancel an Invoice in GSTR 1

If you miss the 24-hour cancellation window, here’s how to cancel an invoice in GSTR 1:

1. Go to your GSTR-1 return section on the GST portal.
2. Locate the invoice details under the B2B or B2C sections.
3. Add a credit note linked to the original invoice.
4. Mention the correct GSTIN, invoice number, and cancellation reason.
5. Submit the updated GSTR-1 before filing.

It ensures your returns are accurate and avoids future notices.

Key Rules to Remember

Before you cancel an invoice, keep these in mind:

• Only the original issuer of the invoice can cancel it.
• No changes can be made once the invoice is canceled.
• You can’t edit the invoice once the IRN is generated. Cancellation is the only option.
• Always keep track of invoice generation times to avoid missing the deadline.

Difference Between Cancelling E-Invoice and E-Way Bill

Many people confuse the two, but they’re not the same.

So, if you're thinking about how to cancel the e-waybill after 24 hours, that may still be possible, depending on whether the goods have moved or not. But for e-invoices, the rule is strict.

GST Invoice Check Online: How to Verify

To avoid duplicate or mistaken invoices, you can always perform a GST invoice check online:

1. Go to the GST e-Invoice Portal.
2. Click on “Verify Signed Invoice”.
3. Upload the JSON file or input the IRN.
4. You’ll see the invoice details on-screen.

It helps confirm if an invoice has already been generated or canceled.

How GimBooks Helps You Cancel E-Invoices with Ease

Managing invoices, returns, and cancellations can be stressful, especially for small and micro-sized business owners who may not have a whole accounting team.

That’s where GimBooks comes in.

GimBooks is a cloud-based, mobile-first business management platform made especially for small and micro businesses in India and the Middle East. It helps you:

• Create, share, and manage GST-compliant invoices.
• Track e-invoice IRNs in real time.
• Cancel invoices with just a few taps.
• Maintain a clean and updated transaction history.
• Easily file GSTR returns with auto-filled data.

By using GimBooks, you don’t have to worry about missing the 24-hour deadline or entering the wrong invoice numbers manually. It streamlines your entire invoice cycle.

Suggested read - E-Invoice Limit in India: Updated Guide for Businesses

Why Small Businesses Trust GimBooks

Here’s what makes GimBooks the perfect fit:

• Easy-to-use interface: No complex accounting terms.
• GST-compliant invoicing: Fully up to date with rules.
• Real-time sync: Everything is stored securely in the cloud.
• Mobile-ready: Manage billing on the go.
• Customized for your business domain: Whether you’re in retail, manufacturing, or services.

GimBooks started as a simple invoice-maker app, and today, it’s one of the most affordable and reliable solutions for managing invoices and GST compliance. It’s not just about creating invoices; it’s about running your business smoothly.

Check out GimBooks today!

Summary: How to Cancel an E-Invoice in Simple Steps

• Go to the e-invoice portal and log in.
• Choose ‘Cancel Invoice’ and enter IRN.
• Pick the cancellation reason and submit.
• Cancel within 24 hours of invoice generation.
• Use the GSTR-1 + credit note method if you miss the deadline.
• Verify invoice details online before creating a new one.
• Use tools like GimBooks to simplify and speed up the process.

Conclusion

Knowing how to cancel e invoice quickly is essential for keeping your business records clean and GST-compliant. Whether it’s a minor error or a significant mismatch, acting within the 24-hour window can save you a lot of trouble. 

With easy tools like GimBooks, managing and canceling e-invoices becomes simple, fast, and hassle-free right from your mobile. Stay ahead, stay compliant!

To learn more, explore the GimBooks blog section, specially written to help small and medium-sized business owners.

Also read - GST E-Invoicing Software: Automate Tax Filing & Stay GST Compliant

FAQs: How to Cancel E-Invoice

1. How to cancel an e-invoice on the GST portal?

You can cancel it by logging in to the e-invoice portal, choosing the ‘Cancel’ option, entering the IRN, and selecting the reason within 24 hours.

2. What happens if I don’t cancel an invoice within 24 hours?

You cannot cancel it through the portal. You must issue a credit note and report it in GSTR-1.

3. Can I cancel the bill if the goods were not delivered?

Yes, if the goods were not delivered, you can cancel the e-invoice within 24 hours with the correct reason, like "Goods not supplied.”

4. How to cancel the e-invoice and e-waybill together?

You’ll need to cancel the e-invoice first on the IRP, then cancel the e-way bill separately on the e-way bill portal if the goods haven’t moved.

5. How to cancel an invoice in GSTR 1 after 24 hours?

You can cancel the invoice by issuing a credit note in GSTR-1 linked to the original invoice and mentioning the cancellation reason.