ITC of 20-21 claim or Reversed in 21-22

In the context of filing Form GSTR-9, here is the clarification regarding Input Tax Credit (ITC) for the financial year 2020-21:

1. Can ITC of 2020-21 be claimed in 2021-22?

Yes, but with specific time limits. Any ITC pertaining to the financial year 2020-21 that was not claimed in the original returns for that year could be claimed in the GSTR-3B returns of the subsequent financial year (2021-22) up to the "specified period." This period is generally the earlier of:

• The due date for furnishing the return for the month of September following the end of the financial year (i.e., September 2021).

• The date of furnishing the annual return for the relevant financial year.

2. How is this reported in GSTR-9?

If you claimed or reversed ITC pertaining to FY 2020-21 in the returns filed during FY 2021-22, it is reported in the GSTR-9 annual return as follows:

• Table 13: This table is specifically used to declare any ITC for the previous financial year that was claimed in the GSTR-3B returns filed between April and September of the next financial year.

• Table 12: This table is used to report any reversal of ITC that was originally claimed in the previous financial year (2020-21) but was reversed in the returns filed for the subsequent year (2021-22).

Important Points to Remember

• No "Fresh" Claims in GSTR-9: Form GSTR-9 is a summary of the data already declared in your GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. You cannot use the GSTR-9 form itself to make a fresh claim of ITC that was not already declared in your monthly returns (GSTR-3B).

• Irreversibility of GSTR-9: Once filed, GSTR-9 cannot be revised. It is essential to ensure that the data reported matches your books of accounts and the returns filed during the year.

• Table 8: When filing GSTR-9 for 2020-21, Table 8C specifically captures ITC on inward supplies received in 2020-21 but claimed in the following financial year (up to the specified deadline).

Summary: You cannot "claim" or "reverse" ITC directly inside the GSTR-9 form; the form only allows you to report the claims or reversals that were already made in your monthly GSTR-3B returns during the relevant timeframes. If you missed claiming ITC for 2020-21, you cannot do so via the GSTR-9; it must have been done through your monthly returns within the statutory time limits.