e-invoicing is implemented in India from 1st Oct 2020 for taxpayers having turnover above ₹ 500 crores and now the threshold has been reduced to ₹ 50 crores from 1st April 2021. The pace at which the Indian businesses have adopted is remarkable and all the credits to NIC for putting in place robust infrastructure which as ensured seamless experience to the taxpayers without any major glitches. The e-invoicing system is also undergoing constant changes from time to time based on the dynamic requirements of the taxpayers and their feedback. Some of the changes are announced and architectural changes have been made and they are
a) The existing Authentication API ver 1.03 is replaced with ver 1.04 from 10th April 2021
b) Two new attributes have been added to the response JSON for “Get GSTIN Details” & “Sync GSTIN Details” and the newly added attributes are
i) Date of Registration
ii) Date of De-registration
c) IRNs cannot be generated if the Supplier or Recipient GSTINs are in “Suspended”, “Provisional” or “Inactive” or “Cancelled” status. This validation will ensure that IRNs are not generated for such recipients and will minimize the taxpayers exposure to that extent.
d) If the Registration status of the Supplier or Recipient is in “Cancelled” status, the document date should be between the Date of Registration and Date of De-registration. This validation will ensure that business is not impacted and the supplier will know the status of the recipient at the time of issue of invoice only and enable him to take commercial decisions accordingly.
e) If the recipient is an SEZ Unit or SEZ developer, supply types “SEZWP” or SEZWOP” are only enabled and rest of the supply types are disabled to provide better user experience with proper and meaningful validations.
f) The validation for the number of digits for the HSN code is also enhanced to meet the latest regulatory changes. The minimum number of HSN codes has been increased to 6 digits for taxpayers above ₹ 5 crores.
g) While generating E Way Bill, Vehicle Type (‘VehType’) can be set to ‘O’ (Over Dimension Vehicle) if the Transportation mode (‘TransMode’) is set as ‘4’ (Ship).
Even though the above validations are few but they are really taxpayer friendly by way of providing better user experience and also minimizing the exposure towards the errant taxpayers thereby safeguarding the genuine taxpayers. The increase in validation for HSN codes for taxpayers having turnover above ₹ 5 crores to 6 digits means that e-invoicing sooner or later will be applicable to taxpayers who are having turnover above ₹ 5 crores.
In order to address the challenges faced by the small taxpayers who constitute to the majority of the taxpayers, the Government has launched, Quarterly Return Monthly Payment of Taxes Scheme has been launched applicable from 1st of Jan 2021. As per the 37th GST Council Minutes there were about 60 Lakhs taxpayers below ₹ 5 crores, which means about half of the taxpayers can take benefit of the scheme.
QRMP scheme is applicable to which taxpayers?
It is applicable to all taxpayers whose aggregate turnover is less than ₹ 5 crores.
2. What is the difference in the new quarterly returns scheme compared to the old scheme?
The major difference is the old scheme and new scheme are
The taxpayer has to declare monthly B2B supplies details in IFF – Invoice Furnishing Facility
The recipient can claim input tax credit during the month of purchases only once IFF is filed and not wait for the Supplier to file his GSTR – 1 on quarterly basis.
3. At what intervals the taxes have to be paid by QRMP taxpayers?
The tax has be paid on monthly basis.
4. On what basis the QRMP tax payer has to pay taxes?
There are two methods for payment of taxes by the QRMP Tax payers
35% of the cash paid in previous quarter to be paid in the first two months of the quarter and what ever is the exact liability has to be paid in the third month.
Tax liability for the month can be determined and paid after deducting the input tax credit.
5. How do we make the payment of taxes?
Tax payment will be done through two different documents
For the payment of taxes in the first two month using the Form GST PMT-06
In the third month also Form PMT-06 will be used but through Table 6 of Form GSTR-3B.
6. How do we report the B2B Tax invoices?
B2B tax invoices for the first two months of the Quarter have to be filed using the Invoice Furnishing Functionality and in the third month have to file using the GSTR – 1.
7. What are the steps to be taken for filing of GSTR – 1 and making payment of taxes under QRMP scheme for the last month of the quarter?
a) Verify the sale reported in IFF for the first two months with the sale day book and if any differences are observed, include them in the third months GSTR – 1
b) Verify the inward supplies for first two months claimed with the purchase register, if any differences are observed include them in the GSTR-3B for the third month
c) If any excess cash is paid in the first two months, the same should be adjusted with the third months liability
d) In case of any missing invoices in the first two months which were not reported or under reported, the same should be reported in GSTR – 1 of the third month and interest should be paid @ 18% from the date of tax invoice to the date of filing payment of tax
e) In case if excess input tax credit has been claimed in the first two months, then the same should be reversed in the third month and interest should be paid @24% of the excess ITC taken from the date of claim to the filing date of GSTR – 3B
f) In case of excess cash is paid and balance is there even after filing of GSTR – 3B for the third month, the excess cash balance can be claimed as refund.
As the QRMP Taxpayers are filing it for the first time, it is advised to take proper care should be taken while filing the quarterly returns and paying taxes. In case of any mistakes observed after filing of the third months return the same can be adjusted in the next quarter but the interest outflow will be more and will impact the bottom line of the taxpayers.
For providing better user experience and new features are being added on the GST portal from time to time by the GSTN. Some of the important feature added on the GSTN portal are listed below
Same Jurisdictional Authority in case of an applicant files a new application where it is canceled previously.
Applicants who are applying for registration again, in the previous cases where their registration is canceled by the applicant himself or suo-moto, the new GST registration application filed will be assigned to the same jurisdictional officer who has canceled it.
2. Aadhar Authentication enabled on SPICe -AGILE Form on MCA Portal.
As part of ease of doing business, SPICe -AGILE Form is introduced where multiple registrations can be obtained in a single form by the MCA for the newly established companies. Now Aadhar Authentication is also enabled on the SPICe -AGILE Form.
3. RESET button enabled on GST Portal for Form GSTR-1/ IFF (Invoice Furnishing Facility.
Normal taxpayers, irrespective of their filing profile (quarterly or monthly), have now been provided with a RESET button on the GST Portal, in Form GSTR-1/IFF. This will enable them to delete the entire saved data for the specific return period but not yet submitted or filed their Form GSTR-1/IFF.
4. Reporting and payment of taxes in GSTR-5A
Now taxpayers registered under OIDAR Category can declare and pay interest and other amounts in GSTR-5A.
5. Filing of the refund application by the exporter of services for exports with payment of taxes on account of foreign exchange fluctuations.
The system earlier validated the refund amount claimed by the exporter of services (with payment of tax) against the proceeds realized (against exports, as submitted by the claimant in the Form of FIRC). If the value realized in the BRC/FIRC column was less than the refund amount claimed, such taxpayers could not file their refund application on GST Portal. This validation has now been removed, and the taxpayer will be able to file a refund application now in such cases (As the value realized in BRC/FIRC may fluctuate due to foreign exchange fluctuations, and net realization may be less than the refund amount).
6. Enabling Audit Functionalities on GST portal
Now taxpayers can view and see the department’s notices and reports related to audit under the tab “Additional Notices and Orders.”
Taxpayers can reply to the notices
Taxpayers can apply for an adjournment of or for extension of the audit date to the jurisdictional officer or Audit officer.
The taxpayer can accept/reject/pay the liabilities, discrepancy-wise, as outlined in the Notice for Discrepancies or Addl. Notice for Discrepancies (if any) or in Audit Report (Form GST ADT-02).
7. Changes in Search Tax Payer functionality
In the search taxpayer functionality, now the users can see the status of the Aadhar Authentication or e-KYC status of the searched GSTIN
We are in the world of New Normal due to the ongoing pandemic globally. Pandemic has resulted in disruptions and business strategy changes based on consumer preferences and budget allocations. The organizations have started the new financial years on 1st April 2020 in the lockdown period. None of the organizations have prepared or able to scale to the dynamic & ever-changing business environment. Time Never Stops, and History Repeats are the two common phrases we hear in our discussions in business circles. Come whatever may happen, organizations have to close their books of accounts for 31st March year. Closure of books in time and properly helps the organization mitigate the risks and take timely actions for the coming year to improve the top line and bottom line. What is required for increasing the top line and bottom line is a strategy on how to achieve it, and compliance is one of the strategies meant to achieve the same. As we all know, GST is a Business Reform, not tax reform; changing few business processes in the organization here and there can ensure productivity while safeguarding the organization from hefty penalties and late fees. Following a structured process will ensure to minimize the same and at the same time be in good books of the tax authority and the suppliers. Professionals and taxpayers are required to complete the following before filing the GSTR – 1 and GSTR – 3B for March 2021 by 11th of April 2021 and 20th of April 2021 ( for few taxpayers, it will be 22nd of April or 24th of April if their turnover is less than ₹ 5 cores based on the state they are located).
Reconciliation of Outward Supplies
Reconciliation of Inward Supplies
Reconciliation of Related Party Transactions
Issue of Pending Debit/Credit Notes
Reversal of ITC arising out of pandemic
Reconciliation of Outward Supplies
A series of reconciliations have to be done while filing the returns for March 2021 if the reconciliations have not been done while filing monthly and quarterly returns.
Verify the following for the correctness of the data in return filing
Taxable Supplies, Exempted Supplies are reported correctly
Non-GST supplies are reported correctly
Supplies to deemed exporters are reported correctly at lower tax rates
Supplies to notified agencies at a lower rate are reported correctly
All outward supplies transactions are reported correctly in the Sales Register
Ensure that e-invoices are issued wherever required if applicable
Ensure and validate that the GSTINs of the customers are entered correctly and reported
Ensure and validate that no GST is charged for transactions within the state having the same GSTINs
Ensure that all the debit and credit notes are issued as per the provisions of GST
Ensure and verify that all the liability entries are passed in the books of accounts
Complete the following reconciliations before the filing of the March GST Returns
Reconcile between the GSTR – 1 data and the Sales Register
Reconcile between GSTR – 1 and GSTR – 3B
Reconcile between GSTR -3B and Sales Register
Reconcile the data for the HSN summary being reported in monthly GSTR – 1
Reconcile e-waybill data with GSTR – 1 data, and if there are any differences, it is worth making a reconciliation statement and preserve it for future references.
Reconcile the e-invoices reported in the GSTR – 1 with the e-invoices generated
Reconcile between the Liability Ledgers on GST portal with the
The beginning of the year started with lockdown, and it has resulted in a lot of delays and cancellations of orders. Wherever there is a commercial element missing and open, try to close all such cases by the issue of debit and credit notes. Credit Notes have to be issued before the due date of filing of GSTR returns for the month of September or filing of Annual Return, whichever is earlier.
Section 37 (3), First Proviso
Provided that no rectification of error or omission in respect of the details furnished under sub-section (1) shall be allowed after furnishing of the return under section 39 for the month of September following the end of the financial year to which such details pertain, or furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier.
If any excess tax is paid for the said period through GSTR – 3B, then the same should be reduced from the GST liability in March 2021, reducing the cash outflows. Also, please maintain a reconciliation statement for the same for future reference.
2.Reconciliation of Inward Supplies
One of the major features and business-friendly measures in GST is the availability of seamless input tax credit. Though it is a piece of soothing music to the business’s ears, it comes with a set of stringent measures like if input tax credit has been availed wrongly or excess amounts or claiming it if the supplier has not filed returns. Given all these, availing of the input tax credit process and claiming correctly becomes crucial for the business.
One of GST rollout’s major benefits for the trade and industry is the availability of input tax credit seamlessly across the supply chain cycle. Though input tax credit is available, certain restrictions are available, and they are given in Section 16, Section 17(5), and in the corresponding rules.
Section 16(4) A registered person shall not be entitled to take input tax credit in respect of any invoice or debit note for supply of goods or services or both after the due date of furnishing of the return under section 39 for the month of September following the end of financial year to which such invoice or invoice relating to such debit note pertains or furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier.
Before doing the reconciliation, ensure to complete the following tasks
Update the purchase register for the entire year and ensure all the transactions are updated in it.
Verify that e-invoices are received from all the suppliers to whom it is applicable; else, it will not be considered a tax invoice and not eligible to claim the input tax credit.
Verify and ensure that all the original copies of the tax invoice are available
Verify and ensure that the goods and services are received before availing of the input tax credit
Verify and ensure that all the credit and debit notes are updated in the system and accounted
Verify and ensure that if any debit or credit notes are required to be issued by the supplier are issued, filed by the supplier in his returns and also accounted in the books
Verify and ensure that RCM applicability on inward supplies is identified and accounted for, and paid.
Verify and ensure that input tax credit is availed only on eligible inward supplies only
Verify and ensure that input tax utilization entries passed in the books of accounts
Section 17(5)
(b) the following supply of goods or services or both—
food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery, leasing, renting or hiring of motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa) except when used for the purposes specified therein, life insurance and health insurance:
membership of a club, health and fitness centre; and
(c) works contract services when supplied for construction of an immovable property(other than plant and machinery) except where it is an input service for further supply of works contract service;
(d) goods or services or both received by a taxable person for construction of an immovable property (other than plant or machinery) on his own account including when such goods or services or both are used in the course or furtherance of business.
(h) goods lost, stolen, destroyed, written off or disposed of by way of gift or free samples; and
Apart from ensuring the steps mentioned above are completed and the do the reconciliation
Complete the following reconciliations
Reconcile between GSTR – 2A / 2B with Purchase Register
Reconcile between GSTR -2A /2B with GSTR – 3B
Reconcile between GSTR-3B with Purchase Register
Reconcile the ITC Ledger on GST portal with the various ledger accounts
Rule 69 – Matching
The following details relating to the claim of input tax credit on inward supplies including imports, provisionally allowed under section 41, shall be matched under section 42 after the due date for furnishing the return in FORM GSTR-3-
Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the supplier;
Goods and Services Tax Identification Number of the recipient;
invoice or debit note number;
invoice or debit note date; and
tax amount:
3. Reconciliation of Related Party Transactions
In multiple instances, related parties are not accounted for properly, or returns are filed incorrectly. This results in a lot of tax litigation or reversal of input tax credits through discharge of liability. Though there is no loss to the exchequer, it is not as per the law’s provisions, and the taxpayer cannot amend the returns if they have claimed wrongly.
It is recommended to verify all such transactions if there are any related party transactions and rectify the same in the March months returns. This process will ensure no loss of input tax credit, excess payment of taxes, which impacts the organization’s bottom line. This will also eliminate litigation and save time and effort.
The above process is not required if the taxpayers reconcile their data before filing their monthly returns
4. Issue of Pending Debit/Credit Notes
In a going business concern, there will always be issues and challenges in the supply chain. The supply chain challenges could be damages or breakages in transit or delay in shipments or receipt of goods, or receipt of inferior quality or different ones from the ordered—all these results in some price negotiations or others. In GST, only the supplier of goods or services can issue a debit note, and the recipient cannot unilaterally issue a debit note or credit note on the supplier.
As the above case results in price negotiation, there will always be a delay in the process, and as it is the year-end, it is recommended to clear all such pending issues. A rigorous follow-up with the vendors is required, backed by documentation.
Another case could be on account of reconciliation, there could be some suppliers who must have missed filing their returns, or their registrations have been canceled; in all such cases where the supplier has not filed the returns, a credit note should be requested to be issued to compensate the loss of input tax credit. If the supplier does not issue a credit note and the payment is already made, then the taxpayer cannot do anything but reverse the input tax credit with interest at the rate of 24%; payment of interest will be an additional loss to the taxpayers. To avoid such cases, before the payment release, it is recommended to complete the reconciliation process or withhold the tax amount until the supplier files the GST returns. This process will ensure that there is an impact on the bottom line.
Similar could be the case in the case of outward supplies. Also, it is recommended to issue debit or credit notes before the 31st of March 2021.
Section 34(2) – Any registered person who issues a credit note in relation to a supply of goods or services or both shall declare the details of such credit note in the return for the month during which such credit note has been issued but not later than September following the end of the financial year in which such supply was made, or the date of furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier, and the tax liability shall be adjusted in such manner as may be prescribed:
Though there is no time limit for the issue of Debit Note but is advised to issue the same as the same will minimize the pending issues, the issue of debit notes brings is additional cash into the system, which has become scarce due to the business disruptions on account of the pandemic.
5.Covid Impact on GST
The pandemic has impacted every business directly or indirectly. The impact is on the sales front, profits front as well on the operations and employee front. As the lockdowns have been announced to curtail the spread of the deadly virus, many manufacturers and service providers have impacted their businesses.
Manufacturers
If any spoilage/wastage of raw materials or work in progress, the same is being debited to the Profit and loss account simultaneously. If any input tax credit has been availed, the same has to be reversed and observed in the profit and loss account.
If any goods have been expired due to the lockdown, the same is being written off to the profit and loss account. Similarly, the input tax credit has to be reversed if any availed.
If the customers have returned the goods and the same could not be used, were scrapped or destroyed for not being used, the input tax credit has to be reversed on such goods.
If the scrapped goods are sold at a nominal rate, then input tax credit need not be reversed as it is sold as scrap, and GST is paid on it as per one school of thought.
The pandemic has also resulted in a delay in payments. Identify if the suppliers are paid within 180 days; if not, the input tax credit must be reversed on the amounts due from one hundred and eighty-first day onwards.
If any return of the goods by the customers or dealers or distributors, issue the credit notes immediately without further delay. It will be a challenge in financial reporting if issued after 1st April 2021.
Service Providers
If the advance is received from the customers and service is not being provided due to the lockdowns, advance received treatment becomes crucial in GST. The possible scenarios and treatment under GST
If the advance is returned in the same month, then no need to account for GST on receipt of the advance. Verify and validate all such advance receipts, and if GST is not paid, please pay interest on it if the invoice is issued in the subsequent months.
If the invoice is not issued till 31st March and service is not provided, validate and verify if GST is paid on the advance receipt along with the interest
If an amount is partially returned in the subsequent months and service is not provided, validate and verify if GST is paid on advance receipt if not account it and pay along with interest
The pandemic has also resulted in a delay in payments. Identify if the suppliers are paid within 180 days. If not, the input tax credit must be reversed on the amounts due from one hundred and eighty-first day onwards.
If any credit notes are required to be issued for the delay in service, complete the activity before filing GST Returns for March; else, reconciliation statements have to be prepared to explain to various stakeholders.
If any debit notes have to be issued for price variations, the activity must be completed before the GST Returns filing for March 2021; else, reconciliation statements must be prepared to explain to various stakeholders.
The points mentioned above are indicative and may vary from taxpayer to taxpayer. It is also recommended to address the following points before the filing of the March return
Inputs sent on job work if not returned within the stipulated period; tax invoice has to be issued
Avail of the input tax credits if any is missed out
There is an exemption for reporting input tax credit by classification for the first two years only; the taxpayers must classify and claim input tax credit accordingly. If not done, prepare a reconciliation statement and validate that the same match the input tax credit claimed in GSTR – 3B.
Verify If any employee gifts above Rs 50,000 on which tax liability has to be paid
Verify if any input tax credit has to be reversed for the goods given without any consideration
Verify if any shortages or damage to stock on which input tax credit has been claimed? If any such items are there, reverse the input tax credit
Validate the input tax credit reversed on common inputs for taxable and exempted supplies being reversed
Verify input tax credit has been reversed on a pro-rata basis on capital goods from one state to another state
Verify the financial credit notes and debit notes issued according to the l provisions; else, issue GST Credit / Debit Notes.
File all the relevant returns as per applicability and complete the reconciliations
Verify if all the customers who have to file GSTR – 7 & 8 have filed their returns and accepted the same, this will save on the cash outflows.
Wherever possible, if any ITC has to be reversed or tax has to be paid, account for it and discharge it through GSTR – 3B.
Verification of the above tasks is a time-consuming process, and it is recommended to start the process ASAP and ensure that no input tax credit benefit lapses. No removal of difficulties order has been issued for availing input tax credit for an extra period on account of a pandemic-like situation.
During the first three years after the rollout of GST, there was an option for corrections using the GSTR – 9 for liability. The same is being withdrawn based on the Finance Bill 2021, yet to be notified; if this is the case, there is no room left for the taxpayers for rectification. The wrongdoings can be seen only during the audit or scrutiny by the department officers over a period of time. By that time, the penalty amount along with interest also is going to be increased multi-fold. To avoid such challenges, it is highly recommended to follow the above steps before filing the returns for March 2021.
To avoid all the challenges, the return filing data should be captured in the accounting or ERP system accordingly. Wherever possible, automation should be introduced to minimize human efforts and automate the process of data entry and reconciliations. Let’s not forget that GST is a business reform and not tax reform.
Any views or opinions represented above are personal and belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people, institutions, or organizations that the author may or may not be associated with within a professional or personal capacity unless explicitly stated. Any views or opinions are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, or individual.
The gross GST revenue collected in the month of March 2021 is at a record of ₹ 1,23,902 crore of which CGST is ₹ 22,973 crore, SGST is ₹ 29,329 crore, IGST is ₹ 62,842 crore (including ₹ 31,097 crore collected on import of goods) and Cess is ₹ 8,757 crore (including ₹ 935 crore collected on import of goods).
The government has settled ₹ 21,879 crore to CGST and ₹ 17,230 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. In addition, Centre has also settled ₹ 28,000 crore as IGST ad-hoc settlement in the ratio of 50:50 between Centre and States/UTs. The total revenue of Centre and the States after regular and ad-hoc settlements in the month of March’ 2021 is ₹ 58,852 crore for CGST and ₹ 60,559 crore for the SGST. Centre has also released a compensation of ₹ 30,000 crore during the month of March 2021.
The GST revenues during March 2021 are the highest since introduction of GST. In line with the trend of recovery in the GST revenues over past five months, the revenues for the month of March 2021 are 27% higher than the GST revenues in the same month last year. During the month, revenues from import of goods was 70% higher and the revenues from domestic transaction (including import of services) are 17% higher than the revenues from these sources during the same month last year. The GST revenue witnessed growth rate of (-) 41%, (-) 8%, 8% and 14% in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of this financial year, respectively, as compared to the same period last year, clearly indicating the trend in recovery of GST revenues as well as the economy as a whole.
GST revenues crossed above ₹ 1 lakh crore mark at a stretch for the last six months and a steep increasing trend over this period are clear indicators of rapid economic recovery post pandemic. Closer monitoring against fake-billing, deep data analytics using data from multiple sources including GST, Income-tax and Customs IT systems and effective tax administration have also contributed to the steady increase in tax revenue over last few months.
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