Clarification on availment GST ITC for Feb,20 to Aug, 2020 - Rule 36(4)

CBIC has issued a Departmental Circular No 142/12/2020- GST on 9th October 2020 clarifying the applicability of Rule 36(4) of the CGST Rules, 2017 for the months of Feb 20 to Aug 20.

Earlier on 11th November 2019, CBIC had clarified that ITC is to be availed based on Invoices or debit notes reported by suppliers. Any invoices or debit notes not reported by suppliers (beyond a specified limit) should be reversed in Form GSTR 3B.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 relief was provided to taxpayers vide Notf No 30/2020-CT, dated 03.04.2020, whereby it had been prescribed that the condition made under sub-rule (4) of rule 36 of the CGST Rules to be checked cumulatively for the tax period February, 20 to August, 20. Any adjustment for the said periods shall be made in Return in Form GSTR 3B to be furnished for the month of September, 20.

Now, CBIC has issued a circular to Departmental officers to clarify that the applicability of said provisions is in force and taxpayers are to reconcile the ITC and avail the ITC in Form GSTR 3B for September, 20. The cumulative amount of ITC availed for the said months in FORM GSTR-3B should not exceed 110% of the cumulative value of the eligible credit available in respect of invoices or debit notes the details of which have been uploaded by the suppliers under sub-section (1) of section 37 of the CGST Act, till the due date of furnishing of the statements in FORM GSTR-1 for the month of September 2020

Important to note that any invoice uploaded by suppliers beyond the due date for furnishing Form GSTR 1 shall not be taken into account for computation of eligible ITC. Any invoices reported by suppliers beyond the due date should not be availed while furnishing For GSTR 3B for Sept 20 and availing such credit shall be deemed as availing excess credit.

Any failure to reverse such excess credit shall be treated as availing of Ineligible ITC during the month of September 20. Any excess ITC arising out of availing is required to be reversed in Table 4(B)(2) of Form GSTR 3B for the month of September, 20.

It has been advised to ascertain the details of invoices uploaded by their suppliers under subsection (1) of section 37 of the CGST Act for the periods of February 2020 to August 2020, till the due date of furnishing of the statement in FORM GSTR-1 for September 2020 as reflected in GSTR-2As. (Due date for Sept 20 is 11th Oct, 20)

Manner of cumulative reconciliation for the said months in terms of proviso to subrule (4) of rule 36 of the CGST Rules is explained by way of illustration –

Note - How to comply with the manner of availing of ITC as per Circular -

1. Download GSTR 2A for Feb to Aug 20 and ascertain eligible ITC as per GSTR 2A (remove RCM invoices and ineligible Invoices)/span>
2. Check eligible ITC as per books which are availed in GTSR 3B for the months of Feb 20 to Aug 20
3. Reverse any excess ITC as computed as per books Vs. GSTR 2A +10%. In case there is no excess ITC availed, there is no need to reverse any ITC in GSTR 3B for September 20.