Why is GSTR-2A reconciliation so important for businesses?
What
is GSTR-2A?
The
GSTR-2A form is an auto-populated statement of inward supplies which is
available only in view-only mode, so it cannot be edited. It is filled
completely dynamically and is updated whenever a supplier quotes your GST
Registration Number in their invoices and uploads the to the GST Portal. It is
generated only when the supplier has filed forms GSTR-1/5, and GSTR-6. The
receiver can then download GSTR-2A and see the details in his inward supplies.
Input Tax
Credit or ITC depends on the details reported by vendors in the GSTR-1 form
through invoices. The amount specified in that form is the extent to which ITC
can be claimed by the taxpayer. Note that the taxpayer will get information
about how much ITC can be claimed from the GSTR-2B, which is generated monthly
and remains static.
What
is GSTR-2A/2B reconciliation?
The Gst
Reconciliation Software process involves matching or checking the data
that has been uploaded by your suppliers with that of your purchase data in
your books. As the supplier’s uploaded information is available to you in
GSTR-2A/2B, you can use that statement and then compare it with your books to
check for any discrepancies. This shows you if every transaction that has taken
place between the two of you has been accurately recorded or if any invoices
are missing. Any data that is missing can cause future troubles and make you
liable to pay penalties in the form of interest and other fees as specified by
the GST authority.
Importance
of GSTR-2A/2B for businesses
On January
1, 2022, the Finance Ministry launched the 100% invoice matching criteria and
made it mandatory for all businesses. Essentially, any business that wishes to
claim the ITC will have to show 100% parity between their filed returns and
supporting invoices software. In simple words, you will only be able
to claim ITC if the concerned invoice is present in GSTR-2A/GSTR2B. Here are a
few reasons why GSTR-2A/2B reconciliation is important for businesses.
Loss
of ITC for the Taxpayer
If one of
your suppliers fails to upload an invoice, it affects you because, even though
you paid the necessary tax to the supplier, you cannot claim the ITC rightfully
due to you. This is because the tax you paid will not be reflected in the
GSTR-2A/GSTR-2B statement, which is a prerequisite to claiming ITC. This
problem can negatively impact your working capital, especially if your supplier
is a habitual defaulter. It may seem trivial at first, but it can make a huge
difference because many MSMEs need capital for running their business
operations smoothly. ITC reconciliation is the only way to ensure this loss of
ITC does not occur and the taxpayer can claim the correct ITC in a timely
manner.
Avoid
duplicate or ineligible ITC
The GSTR — 2A reconciliation prevents ineligible or duplicate ITC claims. There are prescribed guidelines that need to be fulfilled to be eligible to claim ITC. Similarly, for certain notified supplies, products or services, ITC claim is blocked, meaning you cannot claim on such supplies. For example, ITC can not be claimed for those purchases used for making exempt supplies, something that is consumed for personal use etc., GSTR-2B/GSTR-2A reconciliation helps you to avoid ITC claims on ineligible supplies. It is also possible that you may claim tax credit on the same invoice multiple times, resulting in excess credit.
Original Source: Why is GSTR-2A
reconciliation so important for businesses?
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