If ownership passed before 31-03-2026, record goods as 'in transit' with liability in FY 2025-26. GRN date only confirms receipt. TDS u/s 194Q applies on earlier of credit/payment-so depends on booking date.
27 April 2026
Purchase invoice date 31/03/2026 GRN date. 01/04/26 Accounting Date 01/04/26 My question- Is goods in transit entry essential to show current asset & current liabilities in B/S Is tds unde sec. 194 Q required to consider in F. Y 25-26 or in F. Y. 26-27 Please guide.
27 April 2026
In my view, if the purchase invoice is dated 31/03/2026 and the ownership/risk in goods has passed to the buyer before year-end, then the entry should be recognized in FY 2025-26 as Goods in Transit / Inventory and corresponding creditor liability should be shown in the Balance Sheet.
GRN date of 01/04/2026 only confirms physical receipt, but it does not always decide the accounting year. If goods were dispatched and title had passed before 31/03/2026, then showing goods in transit is appropriate.
For TDS u/s 194Q, liability arises at the earlier of:
Date of credit to seller’s account or date of payment
So, if the purchase invoice is booked/credited on 31/03/2026, TDS u/s 194Q should be considered in FY 2025-26. If the invoice is actually accounted/credited only on 01/04/2026, then TDS will fall in FY 2026-27.
Also, GST ITC should generally be claimed only after receipt of goods, i.e., after GRN/actual receipt, subject to other ITC conditions.
Conclusion: Accounting for goods in transit is advisable if liability/ownership existed on 31/03/2026. TDS u/s 194Q depends on the actual date of credit/payment, whichever is earlier.