vat

Generally, tax credit is allowed only against Tax invoice, not against retail invoice.

To claim VAT Credit on Input, the supplier's 'tax invoice' is required with declaration statement and TIN. I doubt, whether one can avail credit based on retail invoice not having above mentioned contents.

In  GVAT ONLY THE TAX INVOICES   ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VAT CREDIT U/S 11 OF THE GVAT

can we take set-off against vat paid on stationery goods( indirect expenses)

NO WE CANNOT CLAIM INPUT CREDIT ON INDEIRECT EXPENSES. IT IS ONLY MADE AGAINST DIRECT EXPENSES AND CAPITAL GOODS.