Invoices to be signed

[Yogesh Kulkarni]

Hi

We are facing a lot of trouble in signing Bills and Invoices to be sent to our customers. All of our Key Personnel authorized to sign important Documents had to devote their one hour just to sign all of them. If we could get rid out of this signing business our Key Personnel can focus on their Business Targeted areas.

Please suggest us any type of solution in this matter.

[YAGAY andSUN]

Opt for Digital Signatures.

[Ganeshan Kalyani]

Yes I have seen invoices wherein it has bee mentioned that no signature is requied as the document is digitally signed. Eg.insurance receipt, mobile bill etc.

[DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN]

Even in some cases it has been indicated that the invoice is computer generated. Signature not required? What about these cases?

[Rajagopalan Ranganathan]

Dear Govindarajan Sir,

If it is mentioned in the invoice that "the invoice is computer generated. Signature not required", it is a valid invoice for commercial purpose. For the purpose taking cenvat credit the invoice is either to be signed personally or digitally ( with effect from 01.03.2015).

[DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN]

Thank you, Sir. May you furnish the relevant notification no. in this regard sir,

[Rajagopalan Ranganathan]

Sir,

The Notification No. is 08/2015 CE (NT) - Dated 28-2-2015.

[Ganeshan Kalyani]

Notification no. 5/2015-Service Tax dated 01.03.2015.

[DR.MARIAPPAN GOVINDARAJAN]

Thanks for both. I will check both the notifications.

AI Summary

Digital signatures on invoices enable signatureless computer generated bills, but signed invoices are required for cenvat credit eligibility. Digital signatures are an appropriate solution to avoid manual signing. Computer generated invoices stating that a signature is not required are commercially valid; however, for claiming cenvat credit the invoice must be signed either personally or by a digital signature under the applicable notifications cited in the discussion.