What are the minimum particulars required to be there on a invoice / bill for the purpose of taking Cenvat Credit?

Rule 9 of the Cenvat Credit Rules, 2004, provides various provision for "Documents and Accounts" for the purpose of Cenvat Credit.

Sub Rule 2 of Rule 9 provides that, "No CENVAT credit under sub-rule(1) shall be taken unless all the particulars as prescribed under the Central Excise Rules, 2002 or the Service Tax Rules, 1994, as the case may be, are contained in the said document"

However in the proviso to sub rule 2, it has been provided that where the document does not contain all the required particulars but containing minimum particulars, Cenvat credit shall not be denied (means shall be allowed). These minimum particulars are as follows:

Upto 28-2-2007

"Details of payment of duty or service tax, description of the goods or taxable service, assessable value, name and address of the factory or warehouse or provider of input service."

From 1-3-2007 to 6-3-2007 - Amended by notification no. 10/2007 CE(NT) dated 1-3-2007

"Details of duty or service tax payable, description of the goods or taxable service, assessable value, name and address of the factory or warehouse or premises of first or second stage dealers or provider of taxable service."

From 7-3-2007 onwards - Amended by notification no. 19/2007 CE(NT) dated 7-3-2007

"Details of duty or service tax payable, description of the goods or taxable service, assessable value, Central Excise or Service Tax registration number of the person issuing the invoice, as the case may be, name and address of the factory or warehouse or premises of first or second stage dealers or provider of taxable service."

Cenvat credit minimum invoice particulars must be present to permit credit when full document particulars are absent. Cenvat credit is allowable under the proviso when invoices lacking full prescribed particulars nonetheless contain specified minimum particulars. These minimums initially included details of duty or service tax, description of goods or taxable service, assessable value, and name and address of the factory, warehouse or provider; later amendments broadened address references to dealers' premises and ultimately added the Central Excise or Service Tax registration number of the invoice issuer while retaining the other minimum elements.