This article explores the implications of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on bad debts, referencing Sections 15 and 34 of the CGST Act, 2017. Section 15 defines the 'transaction value' for taxable supplies, which doesn't exclude unrecovered payments or bad debts. Section 34 outlines the conditions under which credit notes can be issued, such as excess tax charged or returned goods, but crucially, it states that a reduction in output tax liability is not permitted if the tax has already been passed on to another person. Therefore, bad debts generally do not allow for a reduction in GST liability.
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FAQ :
The transaction value is the price actually paid or payable for the supply, provided the supplier and recipient are not related and the price is the sole consideration for the supply.
No, Section 15 of the CGST Act does not provide any specific exclusion from the value of supply in respect to non-recovery of payments or bad debts.
A credit note can be issued if the taxable value or tax charged in the invoice exceeds the actual taxable value or tax payable, if goods are returned, or if goods or services are found to be deficient.
A credit note must be issued no later than September following the end of the financial year in which the supply was made, or the date of furnishing the annual return, whichever is earlier.
Generally, bad debts do not allow for a reduction in GST liability. A reduction in output tax liability is not permitted if the incidence of tax has been passed on to another person.