Due date to avail ITC & rectification of errors in GST returns

Due date for availing Input Tax Credit (ITC) and rectification of any errors or omission in disclosures made in returns, pertaining to F.Y.2018-19

Everybody is busy in GST Audit of FY 2017-18, Statutory Audit & Tax Audit of FY 2018-19. However, we should not miss the crucial compliance pertaining to ITC for FY 2018-19.

It would be important to note the following important due dates for the FY 2018-19:

I) As per the first proviso to section 37(3) of the CGST Act any amendments to the disclosures made in the returns or disclosure of additional details, pertaining to FY 2018-19 would have to be done by:

• The due date of furnishing of the return for the month of September 2019 i.e. 20th of Oct 2019, or
• The date of furnishing of the annual return for FY 2018-19, whichever is earlier.

II) In terms of section 16 (4) of the CGST Act, 2017, the due date for availing input tax credit (ITC) in respect of any invoice or debit note pertaining to FY 2018-19 would be earliest of the following:

• The due date of furnishing of the return for the month of September 2019 i.e. 20th of Oct`2019, or
• The date of furnishing of the annual return for FY 2018-19.

III) As per section 34(2) of the CGST Act, any adjustments by way of a credit note in respect of a supply made during FY 2018-19 can be disclosed in a return filed up to:

• 30th Sep 2019, or
• The date of furnishing of the annual return for FY 2018-19, whichever is earlier.

IV) Credit re-computation in terms of rule 42 and 43 (in case of construction industry) of the CGST Rules, 2017 for businesses making taxable and exempt supplies. Comparison of the credit availed during FY 2018-19 with the recomputed credit to identify any credit reversals or availment required. For the FY 2018-19 this is to be done by due date of Sep 2019 return i.e. 20th Oct 2019.

Therefore, it would be suggested to do the following to avail any missed credit or to disclose any credit notes or make any corrections in the disclosures in the returns, etc. for the FY 2018-19.

1. Reconcile ITC as per books and the ITC as per Form GSTR-3B to check for any missed credits.

2. Reconcile ITC availed in Form GSTR-3B and the entries in Form GSTR-2A to check for any missed credits.

3. Re-computation of the credit eligibility as per rule 42 and 43 of the Rules, as applicable.

4. Reconcile the turnover as per Form GSTR-3B and Form GSTR-1 to rectify any differences between the two.

5. Review of the expenses (most importantly the foreign currency payments) to ensure that payment of tax under RCM is done and eligible ITC is claimed.

6. Reconcile the credit notes issued as per books and the credit notes disclosed in returns to check if any disclosures are missed in the returns with respect to GST credit notes.

7. Review of the contract terms or agreed clauses in respect of supplies made during FY 2018-19 to identify any agreed downward revision in prices or discounts, that require issue of a GST credit note and issue and disclose the same.