Credit/debit note references a missing invoice

A credit or debit note points at an original invoice the portal cannot find.

What it means

Every credit or debit note must reference an original invoice that already exists on the portal. If that invoice has not been uploaded, was uploaded under a different number, or belongs to a period not yet filed, the reference cannot be resolved and the note is rejected.

Common causes

• The original invoice has not been uploaded yet — order of upload matters.
• The referenced number does not match the original exactly, including prefix and padding.
• The original belongs to an earlier period that was never filed.
• The original was uploaded against a different counterparty GSTIN.

How to fix it

1. Confirm the original invoice is present on the portal for the correct period.
2. Match the referenced number character for character against the original.
3. Upload the original first, then the credit or debit note.
4. Check the counterparty GSTIN on the note matches the original invoice.