GSTN Advisories: Latest GST Updates and Compliance Changes

Common portal of GST, GSTN keeps on issuing advisories on new functions / updates on the portal for upgradation of functionalities and new options or functions enabled for implementation by taxpayers. During the last week of November and December 2024, the following advisories have been issued so far in relation to the various compliances by GSTN:

•  GSTN Advisory on Authorised e-Invoice Verification Apps
• E-invoice Glossary
• Steps for E-invoicing
• Mandatory Sequential Filing of GSTR-7 Returns
• GSTN Advisory on Annual Return for FY 2023-24
• Updated versions of E-way Bill / E-Invoice Systems
• GSTN Advisory on E-way Bill System
• GSTN advisory for Leased Wagons in E-way Bill System
• GST Advisory on Waiver Scheme under Section 128A

These are summarized below:

 GSTN Advisory on Authorised e-Invoice Verification Apps

• GSTN has issued an advisory for authorised e-invoice verification apps.
• GSTN has prepared a consolidated document on authorized B2B e-Invoice verification apps available for download. The said document would serve as a reference to ensure that taxpayers have the most up-to-date information regarding approved B2B e-Invoice verification apps.
• Taxpayers can access and download the PDF document by clicking on the link below: https://tutorial.gst.gov.in/downloads/news/authosied_e_invoice_verification_apps.pdf
• Authorised e-invoice verification apps are GSTN, IRP-1&2 (NIC), IRP-3(Cygnet), IRP-5(EY) and IRP-6 (iRIS)
• In case of further verification, taxpayers can use search IRN functionality at https://einvoice.gst.gov.in

(Source: GSTN Advisory dated 27.11.2024)

 E-invoice Glossary

• GSTN has issued a detailed glossary in relation to E-invoices. It includes meaning of various terms / phrases used in e-invoicing under GST law.
• E-invoicing means reporting details of specified GST documents to a Government –notified portal i.e., Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) and obtaining an Invoice Reference Number (IRN). It doesn’t mean the generation of invoices by a Government portal.
• Signed e-Invoice refers to an e-Invoice that has been digitally signed by the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) after validation. The signed e-invoice is provided with a unique IRN and QR code.
• It contains the meaning or explanation of E-invoicing, Invoice Registration Portal (IRP), Invoice Reference Number (IRN), Annual Aggregate Turnover (AATO), Enablement, Goods and Service Tax Identification Number (GSTIN), GSTR-1, Debit Note, Credit Note, E-invoice QR Code, GSTN E-Services App, E-invoice FO (Front Office) Portal, JSON Format, API for E-invoice Reporting, B2B Invoices, ERP System, OTP, Auto-population, E-invoice schema, Master codes and Signed e-invoice.
• For details, refer to –

https://taxguru.in/goods-and-service-tax/e-invoice-glossary-steps-gst-reporting.html

(Source: GSTN Advisory Dated 29/11/2024

Steps for E-invoicing

• GSTN has issued an advisory on steps to be undertaken for e-invoice / reporting under GST law. It also contain process of e-invoicing.
• The steps for e-invoice reporting inter alia, include:
• Enablement for e-invoicing
• Register on any of the six Invoice Registration Portals
• Reporting and Auto-population of e-invoice
• E-invoice Verification – https://einvoice.gst.in/einvoice/search-irn

 (Source: GSTN Advisory Dated 29/11/2024)

Mandatory Sequential Filing of GSTR-7 Returns

• GSTN has issued an Advisory on mandatory Sequential Filing of GSTR-7 Returns as per Notification No. 17/2024 dated 27.09.2024.
• As per Notification No. 17/2024-Central Tax dated 27th September 2024, effective from the 01.11.2024, GSTR-7 filing has been made sequential from the October tax period.
• Hence, GSTR-7 return is to be filed in chronological order, beginning with the return period of October, 2024.
• GSTN has advised that for a month in which no deduction have been made, deductors need to file NIL return for the same month.

 (Source: GSTN Advisory dated 04.12.2024)

GSTN Advisory on Annual Return for FY 2023-24

• GSTN has issued an Advisory on difference in value of Table 8A and 8C of Annual Returns (GSTR-9) for the FY 2023-24.
• It is already notified and clear that for FY 2023-24 onwards, the total credit available for inwards supplies shall be auto-populated in the table 8A of Form GSTR 9 from GSTR-2B of the FY 23-24. Further, in table 8C of Form GSTR-9, total value of ITC on inwards supplies received during the FY but availed in next FY up to specified period, need to be filled manually.
• It may be noted that for FY 22-23 in table 8A of Form GSTR-9, values were getting auto populated from GSTR-2A however for FY 23-24 same are being auto populated from GSTR-2B. Therefore, to some extent, in Form GSTR-9 of FY 23-24, values in Table 8A will be inflated in respect of FY 22-23 at the same time values will be lower than expected in respect of FY 23-24, hence there will be a mismatch between the two tables i.e. 8A and 8C.
• In certain situations relating to this issue, GSTN has advised that:
  • Invoice having the date of FY 23-24 but the supplier has reported in the GSTR 1 after the due date of March’24. As a result, this amount is not auto populated in the Table 8A of GSTR 9 for FY 2023-24 because it is the part of next years GSTR 2B – Taxpayer shall report such ITC in the Table 8C and in Table 13 as this is the ITC of FY 2023-24. This is in line with the instructions to the Table 8C and Table 13 of GSTR 9.
  • Invoice belongs to FY 23-24 and ITC has been claimed in FY 23-24. Due to payment not made to supplier within 180 days, ITC was reversed in 23-24 as per the second proviso to section 16(2) and this ITC is reclaimed in next Year FY 2024-25, after making the payment to supplier – This reclaimed ITC shall be reported in the table 6H of GSTR 9 for FY 24-25 hence not in the Table 8C and Table 13 of GSTR 9 of FY 2023-24. Similar reporting is applicable for the ITC reclaimed as per Rule 37A.
  • Invoice belongs to FY 2023-24 but goods not received in 23-24 therefore ITC is claimed in Table 4A5 of GSTR 3B and reversed in Table 4B2 as per Circular 170- Taxpayer shall report such reclaimed ITC in the Table 8C and Table 13 as this is the ITC of FY 2023-24
• Reporting where invoice belongs to FY 22-23 which is appearing in the Table 8A of GSTR 9 of FY 23-24 , as the supplier would have reported the same in GSTR 1 after the due date of filing of GSTR-1 for the tax period of March 23- This is the ITC of last year (2022-23) and was auto populated in table 8A of GSTR-9 of FY 22-23. Hence, aforesaid value need not to be reported in the table 8C and Table 13 of GSTR-9 for FY 23-24. This is in line with the instruction no 2A given for the notified form GSTR 9 which states that Table 4,5,6 and Table 7 should have the details of current FY only.
• Reporting of the reclaim of ITC for an Invoice which belongs to FY 2023-24, and which is claimed, reversed and reclaimed in the same year- Information declared in Table 6H is exclusive of Table 6B. Thus, information of such input tax credit is to be declared in one of the rows only. Further, as the claim and reclaim is reported only in one row therefore the same should not be reported in the reversal under table 7 of GSTR 9 of FY 23-24.

 (Source: GSTN Advisory dated 09.12.2024)

 Updated versions of E-way Bill / E-Invoice Systems

• GSTN has issued an advisory to the effect that NIC will be rolling out updated versions of the E-Way Bill and E-Invoice Systems effective from 1st January 2025 which are aimed at enhancing the security of the portals, in line with best practices and government guidelines.
• These are in relation to Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), restricting the period of E-way Bill generation from the date of base document and restricting the extension of E-way Bill for specific time / period from e-way Bill generation date. Accordingly,
• Starting 1st January 2025, MFA will become mandatory for taxpayers with AATO exceeding Rs 20 Crores, from 1st February 2025 for those with AATO exceeding Rs 5 Crores, and from 1st April 2025 for all other taxpayers and users. Taxpayers should ensure that the registered mobile number is updated with your GSTIN.
• The generation of E-Way Bills will be restricted to documents dated within 180 days from the date of generation. For instance, documents dated earlier than 5th July 2024 will not be eligible for E-Way Bill generation starting 1st January 2025.
• The extension of E-Way Bills will be limited to 360 days from their original date of generation. For example, an E-Way Bill generated on 1st January 2025 can only be extended up to 25th December 2025.

(Source: GSTN Advisory dated 17.12.2024)

GSTN Advisory on E-way Bill System

• GSTN has issued on advisory for Entry of RR No./eT-RRs in E-way Bill (EWB) system Post EWB-FOIS Integration to provide guidance for Accurate Entry of RR No./eT-RRs following the Integration of E-Way Bill (EWB) with Freight Operation Information System (FOIS) system of Indian Railways.
• FOIS of Indian Railways has now been integrated with the E-Way Bill (EWB) system via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Thus, taxpayers should follow the correct process for entering RR no (Railway Receipt Number)/eT-RRs. into the EWB system.
• Taxpayers transporting goods via the Indian Railways FOIS must ensure the correct entry of the number or RR No./eT-RRsin the EWB system.
• Suppliers with a pre-existing E-Way Bill (EWB) for goods transported from the factory to the railway station, and who are subsequently transporting goods by rail under the FOIS, must update Part-Bof the E-Way Bill using the “Multi-Transport Mode” option on the EWB portal, select Rail as the mode of transport and after selecting this option, the system will prompt to enter the corresponding RR No./eT-RRs.
• For goods transported via the Freight Operations Information System (FOIS) the RR number shall be entered in the Format: F<FromStationCode><RR No> in the EWB system.
• After entering the RR No./eT-RRsinto the EWB system, the EWB system will validate the RR No./eT-RRs against the data received from the FOIS. If a mismatch is detected or the RR No./eT-RRs is not found in the database, an alert will be generated. Thus it is strongly advised that taxpayers ensure the correct entry of RR No./eT-RRs to avoid future discrepancies
• Taxpayers should ensure that the RR number/eT-RRs is entered correctly in the EWB system to allow smooth tracking and verification of goods being transported via Indian Railways. Accurate entry will also facilitate the validation process and avoid unnecessary delays or complications.
• If there are any discrepancies in entering RR No./eT-RRstaxpayers are encouraged to raise a ticket with the support team, clearly mentioning the RR No./eT-RRs. The customers who are transporting goods using Railway FOIS system should adhere to the guidelines issued by Indian Railways for e-Demand customers.

 (Source: GSTN Advisory dated 18.12.2024)

GSTN advisory for Leased Wagons in E-way Bill System

• GSTN issued an advisory for Entry of Receipt Numbers Pertaining to Leased Wagons in the E-Way Bill System, i.e., specific instructions or guidelines for accurate entry of receipt numbers.
• This advisory focuses on the requirements specific to Leased Wagons.
• This covers:
  • Prefixing Receipt Numbers in the EWB System – Taxpayers transporting goods via Leased Wagons must prefix Receipt Numbers with the identifier “L” when entering them into the EWB system.
  • Updating Part-B of the EWB for Rail Transport – While generating an EWB for goods transported by rail, taxpayers should select the transport mode as “Rail” in Part-B of the EWB using the “Multi-Transport Mode” option on the EWB portal and then enter the Receipt Number with the prefix “L” to indicate that the transport is via Leased Wagons.
  • Format for Number Entry in the EWB System – Taxpayers must use the following format when entering Receipt Numbers related to Leased Wagons: L <Receipt Number>
  • Validation Process in the EWB System – Once the Receipt Number is entered, the system will validate the entry against the designated database for Leased Wagons. In case of discrepancies such as mismatched or missing numbers, taxpayers will receive an alert and must correct the entry promptly.
• For any clarification regarding the entry of Receipt Numbers for Leased Wagons, taxpayers may raise a ticket with the EWB support team through the support portal. Provide the details of the entry, including the prefix used, for quick resolution.

(Source: GSTN Advisory dated 23.12.2024)

GST Advisory on Waiver Scheme under Section 128A

• GSTN has issued a new Advisory on Waiver Scheme u/s 128A of the CGST Act, 2017.
• Under the Waiver Scheme, for a demand notice or statement or order which has been issued under Section 73 for the tax periods between July 2017 & March 2020, the taxpayers are required to file an application either in FORM GST SPL-01 or SPL02 in GST portal accordingly.
• While Form GST SPL-01 is expected to be made available in due course, Form GST SPL-02 is presently available on the GSTN portal.
• GSTN has provided a detailed procedure for filing Form GST SPL-02 electronically.
• It contains details about how to fill application, navigation, payment, up loading of supporting documents and submissions of application.

 (Source: GSTN Advisory dated 29.12.2024)