2023 GST Transition: Invoices, Payments and Delivery Dates

Key steps and distinctions

For most supplies, the earlier invoice or payment fixes the ordinary tax point, but transitional rules also examine goods delivery or service performance. A transaction paid in full before the change stays at 7% even if later invoiced or performed. If both invoice and payment are after the change, 8% applies unless the supplier makes an allowed election for pre-change delivery or performance. Where payment and performance straddle the date, an election may permit 7% on the higher pre-change payment or performed value. Conversely, a pre-change invoice does not lock the entire supply at 7% when payment and performance occur later; the affected post-change portion requires adjustment. Use credit notes and new invoices where required, keeping delivery, work-completion and payment evidence. Reverse-charge supplies follow their specified recipient-accounting rules. Public price displays after the change must incorporate the applicable tax, subject to the stated service-charge exception; absorbing the increase changes the tax fraction within the selling price rather than removing output tax. The appendices provide transaction checklists and apportionment steps. Despite its 2026 editorial update, this guide concerns the historical 2023 transition and does not establish 8% as today’s standard rate.