Introduction: As the financial year 2023-24 draws to a close and we gear up for FY 2024-25, it’s crucial for businesses and professionals to stay updated on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implications that could affect annual closure of books and future planning. The transition between financial years is a critical period for addressing GST compliances, making strategic decisions like opting for the GST Composition Scheme, and ensuring readiness for new regulations such as e-invoicing requirements. This guide highlights key aspects to consider for smooth GST compliance and effective financial planning for the upcoming year. Considering the various GST implication some of the key aspects are summarised as below.
1. Compliances for Annual Closure of Books of Accounts.
1. File LUT for zero-rated supplies for F.Y .2024-25- Taxpayers are required to be submit Letter of Undertaking for undertaking zero-rated supplies i.e., EXPORT of goods or services or supply to SEZ Unit/Developers without payment of IGST every Financial Year. For F.Y. 2024-25, LUT is due to be filed latest by 31st March 2024 if you are engaged in zero-rated supplies or planning to do it.
2. Opt-in for GST Composition Scheme for F.Y. 2024-25 – If you wish to opt for Composition Scheme subject to the fulfillment of criteria and conditions for F.Y. 2024-25, last date to file CMP-02 is 31st March 2024.
Note: In case of switch from Normal to Composition Scheme, ITC claimed on inputs lying in form of Inputs, WIP, finished goods stock as on 31.03.2024 and capital goods (on reduced percentage basis) is required to be reversed by filing ITC-03 by 30th May 2024.
3. Opt-in or out of QRMP for F.Y. 2024-25 Quarterly Return Monthly Payment or QRMP scheme under GST is a scheme introduced by the Government in its initiative to simplify compliance for taxpayers. In this scheme, registered persons having aggregate turnover up to Rs 5 Cr. are allowed to furnish their GST returns on a quarterly basis along with monthly payment of tax under QRMP Scheme. Last date to opt in or opt-out from the QRMP Scheme is 30th April 2023 for the financial year 2024-25.
4. Declarations to be taken from Goods Transport Agency (GTA) for opting to pay GST under Forward Charge. – For the FY 2024-25, declarations filed by the Goods Transport Agency (GTA) for opting to pay GST under Forward Charge should be obtained and kept in record to justify the reason for non-payment of GST under RCM.
5. Reset Invoice Number Series – As per the GST advisory released in 2019, with the start of the new financial year, GST taxpayers should start a new invoice series, unique for the financial year.
A similar provision is there in Rule 49 of the CGST Rules 2017, in respect of the issue of Bill of Supply by registered taxpayers availing Composition Scheme or supplying exempted goods or services or both. If the provisions of Rule 46 or Rule 49 are not adhered to, apart from being a compliance issue, taxpayers may face problems while generating E-Way Bill on the E-way bill system or furnishing their Form GSTR 1 or applying for a refund, etc.
6. Re-calculation of Aggregate Turnover of F.Y. 2023-24 for various compliances related to F.Y. 2024-25 – Various decision making and compliances in GST are dependent upon threshold as per Aggregate Turnover like GST registration, Composition Scheme, QRMP Scheme, E-Invoicing, Rule 86B (1% Cash Payment) etc. For F.Y. 2024-25, please make sure that recalculation is done for each of relevant compliances as per aggregate turnover in F.Y. 2023-24 wherever applicable.
7. Year-end reconciliation of Outward Supplies and Inward Supplies Following reconciliation at the year end are must:
a. Turnover as per books of accounts vs turnover as per GST returns.
b. Physical stock vs stock as per books of accounts – to identify shortages/ excess stock, if
c. Closing balance of ITC as per books of accounts vs closing balance as per GST portal.
d. Pending ITC not matched with GSTR-2B to be reconciled and then to be transferred in a separate ledger. In case of any hits and misses, such adjustments in output liability or ITC should be reported in GST return of March 2024.
Note: In case of RCM liability, it is suggested to also look for entries appearing in GSTR-2B ticked as ‘RCM’ by Suppliers and ensure that RCM liability has been paid. Further, please report exempted supplies like interest income in GST returns as well.
8. Yearly calculation of reversal of ITC as per Rule 42 – In case of any reversal of common Input Tax Credit on account of exempted supplies as per Rule 42, after having undertaken monthly reversal, the annual calculation is required to be done and any excess reversal or short reversal should be duly accounted for in GST returns for March 2024.
In case of delay in reporting of additional reversal, if any, Interest would apply from 1st April 2024 onward for common ITC reversals to be done in F.Y. 2023-24
Note: The value of exempted supplies for the purpose of reversal includes value of sale of immovable property, transaction in securities, outward supplies subject to RCM, Restaurant services/outdoor catering services taxable @5%, etc.
2. Other Compliance Points
1. Availment of correct Input Tax Credit for the FY 2023-24
a. Reconciliation of E- Credit Ledger with books of accounts for FY 2023-24.
b. Check the tax has been correctly calculated and paid under RCM in case of Import of services, Sitting fees paid to Directors, GTA, Security Services, Rent a cab, Advocate fees etc.
c. In compiled data of GSTR 2B, check status of date of filing of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B of the suppliers to know whether your suppliers have filed GSTR-3B to avoid any query from Department.
2. Reporting of correct outward supplies for the FY 2023-24
a. Reconciliation of turnover/tax as reported in GSTR 1/ GSTR 3B with books of accounts for FY 2023-24
b. Review the correct HSN/ SAC code and GST rate has been opted.
c. Reconciliation of E-way bills generated during the FY 2023-24 with tax invoices reported in GSTR 1.
d. Reconciliation of e-Invoices with IRN viz. e-way bills generated viz. reported in GSTR 1.
e. Check whether the GST paid on advances received in FY 2023-24 towards the supply of services made or agreed to be made has been properly adjusted in GSTR 1 and GSTR 3B.
f. Check whether the goods sent on approval basis has been either returned within 6 months or sold on issuance of tax invoices.
3. Job Work related compliances
a. In case of material sent for job work, check whether the same has been returned within the time limit prescribed (Inputs – 1 year and Capital goods – 3 years) and the same has been duly reported in ITC 04.
b. The due date for filing ITC-04 shall be as below:
c. Those with an annual aggregate turnover of more than Rs.5 crore – October 23 – March 24 due on 25th April 2024.
d. Those with an annual aggregate turnover of up to Rs.5 crore – For FY 2023-24 due on 25th April 2024.
4. Real Estate Sector
a. To assess the value of all Input and Input services received from both the registered and unregistered suppliers and if the value of procurements received from registered suppliers is not exceeding 80% of total inward supplies, then the Developer of the project is required to pay GST @18% under RCM for such shortfall (28% in case of cement to be paid on monthly basis). Expenses on which GST is payable under RCM would be considered as procurements made from the registered persons. Last date to submit such details for FY 2023-24 is 30th June 2024.
3. E-invoice Registration-
a. For all those taxpayers whose Aggregate PAN based Turnover exceeds Rs 5 Crores during FY 2023-24 for the first time from the introduction of GST has to generate and issue E-invoice from 01st April 2024.
b. Those who are covered as described above are required to take E-invoice registration on Invoice Registration portal and start generating E-invoice- https://einvoice1.gst.gov.in/Home/Login
4. SEZ Endorsement for supply made without GST copies –
As per the amendment In IGST Act 2017, supply of Goods / Service made to the SEZ units / developers will be considered as ZERO rated supply (No GST), only if, same are received for the authorized operation of unit. Thus to ensure that Goods / Service are used for authorized operation, it is important to take the endorsement by The Commissioner / Appropriate authority from SEZ unit / developers.
5. Export of Goods / Services with payment of Tax and inward remittance thereof.-
The exporter has the options
1. Pay IGST on exports and then claim refund of the same once Export is executed. Or
2. Export of Goods / services, under LUT (Without payment of tax), here refund of ITC involved in the goods / services can be claimed.
However, in this connection provision has been amended and as per amended provision, in case refund for export is claimed and export proceeds (both for goods / services) is not received as per time limit under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulation (within 9 months from the date of issue of invoice for export).
- The person shall deposit the amount so refunded, to the extent of non – realization of sale proceeds, along with applicable interest within 30days of expiry of the said period of FEMA. and
- Where the sale proceeds are realized by the applicant, in full or part, after the amount of refund has been recovered from him under sub-rule (1) and the applicant produces evidence about such realization within a period of three months from the date of realization of sale proceeds, the amount so recovered shall be refunded by the proper officer, to the applicant to the extent of realization of sale proceed.
So, need to check for the exports executed in F Y 2022-23 or initial period of 2023-24, for which time limit of FEMA is expired. In such case if refund was received but the export proceed are not received, then deposit the refund to the extent of unrealized export proceed. To avoid additional interest burden.
6. Filing of GSTR 3B for inward supplier to avoid ITC reversal under rule 37A-
1. Rule 37A of GST provides that the GST-registered buyers of goods and services must reverse Input Tax Credit claimed before when their corresponding supplier fails to deposit such taxes in their GSTR-3B within a defined time. for example as follows:
a. 30th Sep 2023 for F Y 2022-23 and
b. 30th Sep 2024 for F Y 2023-24
2. The said amount of input tax credit shall be reversed by the said registered person , while furnishing a return in FORM GSTR 3B on or before the 30th Nov following the end of financial year.
However ITC of the same can be re-claimed once the corresponding tax is paid by supplier, in GSTR 3B.
3. E-invoice status validation for all supplier.– In case supplier is required to issue E-invoice, but does not do so, it will result in claim of ITC on the basis of invalid documents and reversal of ITC shall be demanded by the Department from recipient of Goods / Services.
Therefore, A taxpayer (recipient) shall ensure the applicability of E-invoicing to its vendors.
Taxpayer shall follow the below steps:
a. Step 1: Visit the e-invoice portal.
b. Step 2: Go to the search tab and select “e-invoice status of taxpayer”.
c. Step 3: Enter the GSTIN of supplier and the captcha code. Click Go.
This status is based on the turnover reported by a GSTIN in its GSTR-3B. However, it should be noted that the enablement status on the e-invoice portal doesn’t mean e-invoicing is applicable to a particular taxpayer. If a particular category of the taxpayer is exempt from e-invoicing, then the e-invoicing enablement status can be ignored.
7. 1% Cash payment conditions validation.-
As per the Rule 86B of CGST-2017, Taxable persons can use Electronic credit ledger for making payment of Outward Tax liability up to 99% of the outward tax. and 1% is compulsorily to be paid from Cash ledger. However this provision shall not be applicable in case where,
a. Value of Domestic Supply (excluding Exempt Supply) for a GSTN is below Rs. 50 Lakh, for current Month.
b. If the specified persons as mentioned in rule have paid more than 1 lakh as Income Tax under Income Tax Act, 1961.
c. If the registered person has received a refund of amount greater than Rs.1 lakh in the preceding financial year on account of export under LUT or due to inverted tax structure.
d. If the registered person has discharged his output tax liability by electronic cash ledger for an amount in excess of 1% cumulatively up to the said month in the current financial year.
e. If the registered person is Government dept, PSU, Local authority, Statutory Authority.
Conclusion: Navigating the GST landscape requires diligence and foresight, especially during the transition into a new financial year. By adhering to compliance deadlines, such as filing for LUT for zero-rated supplies, considering the GST Composition Scheme, and preparing for e-invoicing, businesses can ensure a smooth closure of FY 2023-24 and set a solid foundation for FY 2024-25. Additionally, understanding and applying rules around job work, real estate sector regulations, and export-related compliances are essential for maximizing benefits and minimizing liabilities under GST. With careful planning and compliance, businesses can look forward to a successful and financially sound new fiscal year.
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Disclaimer: The information in this document is for educational purposes only and nothing conveyed or provided should be considered as legal, accounting or tax advice. User is advised to apply his/her analytical skills before implementing any or all the suggestions above. The suggestions are given, keeping in mind the present legal position.
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