To get benefit of synergy etc, there is need for need for change in the organizational structure, or business model of a company/business entity. Restructuring of the business is increasing day by day in consideration to expand the business. In the restructuring of the business, one thing which is more important i.e. un-utilised Input Tax Credit (‘ITC’). GST Law has considered the factor of transferring ITC during the restructuring process.
Section 18(3) of Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘CGST Act’) read with Rule 41 and 41A of Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 (‘CGST Rules’) provides an option to transfer ITC in consequent to merger, demerger, spin-off, or split. By going through the provisions provided in the GST law, it is important to note that the transferee has to get himself/itself registered under GST prior to transfer of ITC.
According to sub-section (3) of section 18 of the CGST Act,
“Where there is a change in the constitution of a registered person on account of sale, merger, demerger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of the business with the specific provisions for transfer of liabilities, the said registered person shall be allowed to transfer the input tax credit which remains unutilized in his electronic credit ledger to such sold, merged, demerged, amalgamated, leased or transferred business in such manner as may be prescribed.”
Further, according to sub-rule (1) of rule 41 of the CGST Rules:
(1) A registered person shall, in the event of sale, merger, de-merger, amalgamation, lease or transfer or change in the ownership of business for any reason, furnish the details of sale, merger, de-merger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of business, in FORM GST ITC-02, electronically on the common portal along with a request for transfer of unutilized input tax credit lying in his electronic credit ledger to the transferee:
Provided that in the case of demerger, the input tax credit shall be apportioned in the ratio of the value of assets of the new units as specified in the demerger scheme.
Explanation:- For the purpose of this sub-rule, it is hereby clarified that the “value of assets” means the value of the entire assets of the business, whether or not input tax credit has been availed thereon.
(2) The transferor shall also submit a copy of a certificate issued by a practising chartered accountant or cost accountant certifying that the sale, merger, de-merger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of business has been done with a specific provision for the transfer of liabilities.
(3) The transferee shall, on the common portal, accept the details so furnished by the transferor and, upon such acceptance, the un-utilised credit specified in FORM GST ITC-02, shall be credited to his electronic credit ledger
(4) the inputs and capital goods so transferred shall be duly accounted for by the transferee in his books of account.”
In view of the above, a registered taxpayer can apply for transfer the ITC available in the electronic credit ledger to another business entity in case of transfer of business by way of sale of business/merger by filing of ITC declaration in FORM GST ITC-02. However, the following requirements should be complied with.
1. ITC should be available in the electronic credit ledger of transferor, as on effective date of merger/ acquisition/ amalgamation / lease/ transfer.
2. Both, transferor and transferee should be registered under the GST.
3. All returns for the past periods have been filed by transferor. There should be no pending.
4. The transferor shall also submit a copy of a certificate issued by a practicing chartered accountant or cost accountant certifying that the sale, merger, transfer of business has been done with a specific provision for the transfer of liabilities.
5. Thereafter, the transferee shall, on the common portal, accept the details so furnished by the transferor and, upon such acceptance, the un-utilized credit specified in FORM GST ITC-02 shall be credited to his electronic credit ledger.
6. Also, the inputs and capital goods so transferred shall be duly accounted for by the transferee in his books of account.
The process of transferring unutilized ITC is broadly divided into two steps:
1. The transferor has to file FORM GST ITC-02 at GST portal, specifying the available ITC in each major head.
2. The transferee shall accepts / rejects the same in GST portal.
Disclaimer: Nothing contained in this document is to be construed as a legal opinion or view of either of the authors whatsoever and the content is to be used strictly for educative purposes only.
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Hi,
Form GST ITC-02 permits the transfer only within the same State… It does not permit the transfer outside the State.