Tax Consultant
1662 Points
Posted on 30 June 2026
ITC for previous years is time-barred under Section 16(4) after a specific cutoff.
The hard rule: ITC for any invoice or debit note can only be claimed up to the earlier of:
(a) November 30 of the next financial year, or
(b) The date of filing the annual return (GSTR-9) for that year.
So for FY 2024-25 invoices, the window closed on November 30, 2025 (or GSTR-9 filing date if earlier). If you missed ITC from FY 2024-25 and filed GSTR-9, the claim is lost. No amendment or rectification reverses this.
For FY 2025-26 invoices: the window is open until November 30, 2026 (or GSTR-9 for FY 2025-26, whichever is earlier). If you have missed ITC in GSTR-3B for months April to now, you can still claim it in your August or September GSTR-3B , but only up to the November 30 cutoff.
Key condition: the supplier invoice MUST appear in GSTR-2B. If it is not in GSTR-2B, you can claim provisionally up to 5% of GSTR-2B ITC, but the mismatch will be flagged and may get reversed in the next annual reconciliation.
For older years (FY 2023-24 and before): ITC claim is permanently closed after Section 16(4) deadline and GSTR-9 filing. A rectification under Section 161 does not re-open ITC.
See the detailed [GST filing services](https://taxgarden.in/services) overview for ITC reconciliation support.