Arjuna (Fictional Character): Krishna, Government has issued new notification on 09/10/2019, restricting ITC to maximum 20% excess of ITC as appearing in GSTR-2A. So, what is it?
Krishna(Fictional Character): Arjuna, new restrictions on claim of ITC are brought in. It’s like the ground for GST ITC 20-20 match is ready, the recipient is the batsman and supplier is the bowler and each monthly return would be a 20-20 match. Surely the recipient is going to be a loser in this match. Government has issued a notification that states that maximum ITC which a taxpayer can claim is 20% excess of ITC as appearing in GSTR-2A i.e. 120% of ITC as appearing in GSTR-2A or ITC as per books, whichever is lower. It’s a difficult rule, which is more complex than the 'Duck-worth Lewis' rule of cricket ICC 20-20. GSTN being the third umpire would play a crucial role in this game as it’s decision would be final.
Arjuna: Krishna, What is GSTR-2A?
Krishna: Arjuna, GSTR-2A is a GSTN system-generated report of inward supplies and ITC of taxpayer. When a supplier i.e. bowler files his GSTR-1 the information is reflected in GSTR-2A of the recipient i.e. batsman. Let us understand this with an illustration:
If "A" supplies goods of Rs. 2,50,000/- to 'B'. Here 'A' being supplier has to report his outward supplies of Rs. 2,50,000/- in GSTR-1. Once supplier 'A' files his GSTR-1 then such transaction of Rs. 2,50,000/- will be reflected in GSTR-2A of recipient 'B'. Thus, ITC is reflected in GSTR-2A of the recipient. Earlier, ITC though not reflected in GSTR-2A recipient was claiming ITC, now restrictions have been brought on such mismatch of ITC.
Arjuna: Krishna, what are the roles and responsibilities of a supplier?
Krishna: Arjuna, new notification has lead onus on supplier being bowler to upload GSTR-1 within due date i.e. bowl on wicket direct, so that the recipient can claim such ITC in subsequent GSTR-3B. If supplier bowls wide ball i.e. does not file GSTR-1 in time, the recipient will face difficulties in claiming ITC being the transaction is not reflected in his GSTR-2A.
Arjuna: Krishna, what are the roles and responsibilities of the recipient under a new scenario?
BUSY, Business Accounting Software is a complete Business Management Software for SMBs which covers all aspects of a business entity including Accounting, Inventory, Invoicing, GST, TDS/TCS, Payroll and a lot more.
- Multi-Company Accounting
- Inventory / Stock Management
- GST Return Filling
- POS with Barcode
- Configurable GST Billing
- Auto Data Backup
Krishna: Arjuna, recipient being batsman should be ready for every shot. The roles and responsibilities are as follows:
- The recipient has to reconcile purchase as appearing in Books of accounts with GSTR-2A.
- The recipient has to take regular follow up with supplier so that the supplier files his GSTR-1 within due date and upload every invoice.
- It would greatly impact working capital and cash-flow, if mismatches arise in GSTR-2A and ITC claimed.
Let us understand this with an example:
If 'A' is taxpayer and has ITC of Rs. 2,50,000/- in books. But the ITC as appearing in GSTR-2A is 2,00,000.
Now in this case, ITC appearing in Books is Rs. 2,50,000/- but ITC appearing in GSTR-2A is Rs. 2,00,000/-. So as per new notification maximum permissible ITC to 'A' is Rs. 2,00,000+20% i.e. Rs. 2,40,000. So, 'A' cannot claim balance mismatched ITC of Rs.10,000/- i.e. (2,50,000-2,40,000) and such claim would be disallowed and needs to be claimed when matched in future.
Arjuna: Krishna, What are the difficulties in this ITC 20% rule?
Krishna: Arjuna, This rule is more complex than 'Duck-worth Lewis' rule of cricket. A number of issues are going to arise, like how to calculate it, whether invoice-wise or supplier-wise? How updated and reliable is GSTR-2A report of GSTN? How to keep track of mismatch in each return? What about interest liability on mismatch? How it will be implemented, etc.? Lots of confusion will arise due to monthly and quarterly GSTR filing periods. God knows how a taxpayer will save himself from such draconian rules.
Arjuna: Krishna, what lesson should one learn from this?
Krishna: Arjuna, the changes notified are going to be tough for taxpayers. It would involve huge burden of cash-flow. ITC reconciliation for recipient i.e. matching books and GSTR-2A is a cumbersome process. GST was supposed to be 'Simple Tax' but this new notification has further deteriorated the situation for taxpayers. Thus, taxpayer will find it difficult to play in this GST ITC 20-20 tournament.
CAclubindia
