GSTR-2B is introduced on GST portal only some days back. At first, GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B seems to be same. But they are different in some manner.
Government has now dumped the new return forms which have three types of return forms – Normal, Sahaj and Sugam and decided to continue the present return filing system of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B with some additions and some changes.
The likely system which is going to introduce is that taxpayers has to first file GSTR-1, then file GSTR-2B for all input tax credit and then file GSTR-3B in which all details from GSTR-1 and GSTR-2B will be auto-populated. As said previously by senior officers, the new system will be introduced in phases. Introduction of GSTR-2B can also be considered as such one phase. GSTR-2B is not required to be filed by taxpayers. It is for information purpose only.
GSTR-2B as opposed to GSTR-2A remains constant for a period. GSTR-2A keeps on changing as the supplier files their GSTR-1. But GSTR-2B when generated for a period, will not change.
GSTR2B shall be available to all the regular taxpayers. Every recipient can generate it on the basis of the GSTR-1, GSTR-5 and GSTR-6 furnished by their suppliers. The statement will clearly show document-wise details of ITC eligibility.
ITC information will be covered from the filing date of GSTR-1 for the preceding month (M-1) up to the filing date of GSTR-1 for the current month (M). For instance, GSTR-2B generated for July 2020 will contain documents filed by their suppliers from 12 a.m. on 12th July 2020 up to 11:59 p.m. on 11th August 2020.
GSTR-2B will be available from July 2020 onwards. It is available after 12th of a month for the previous month. For instance, GSTR 2B for July 2020 can be accessed from 12th August 2020.
The documents would reflect in the next open GSTR-2B of the recipient irrespective of the date of the document. E.g. INV-1 dated 15.05.2020 uploaded in July 2020 return filed on 11th August 2020, it would be reflected in GSTR 2B of July 2020 generated on 12th August 2020 and not in GSTR 2B of May 2020.
GSTR-2B can be downloaded in excel and json formats also. If you have more than 1000 documents across all tables of Form GSTR-2B, document details table will not be displayed online. You can download GSTR-2B statement through excel/JSON.
There may be instances where the date of filing of GSTR-5 (Non-Resident taxable person) and GSTR-6 (Input Service Distributor) may be later than the date of generation of GSTR-2B. Under such circumstances, taxpayers are advised to avail input tax credit on self-assessment basis. However, when such document gets filed and reflected in their next GSTR-2B, taxpayers shall not avail such input tax credit.
Contents and features of GSTR-2B
The input tax credit on purchases from any regular taxpayers and non-resident taxable persons will be available. Further, the input tax credit distributed by the input service distributor shall also be available.
The contents of GSTR-2B is as follows:
- Summary statement showing ITC available and non-available for every section.
- Advisory for every section that clarifies the kind of action that taxpayers must take.
- Document-wise details such as invoices, credit notes, debit notes, etc. to view and download.
- Cut-off dates and advisory for generating and using GSTR-2B.
- Import of goods and import from SEZ units/developers (available from GSTR 2B of August 2020 onwards).
The input tax credit will marked as not available in the following two scenarios:
- Where the time limit to avail input tax credit on an invoice or debit note has expired under section 16(4) of the CGST Act (earlier of 30th September of the year following the financial year or date of filing annual returns).
| Sr No | Invoice Date | Reported in GSTR 1 of | Date of filing of GSTR 1 | Available in GSTR 2B | ITC availability sheet |
| 1 | 15.08.2020 | Aug 2020 | 11.09.2020 | Aug 2020 | ITC available |
| 2 | 15.08.2020 | Aug 2020 | 11.10.2020 | Sept 2020 | ITC available |
| 3 | 13.11.2019 | Sept 2020 | 11.10.2020 | Sept 2020 | ITC available |
| 4 | 13.11.2019 | Sept 2020 | 20.10.2020 | Oct 2020 | ITC not available |
| 5 | 13.11.2019 | Sept 2020 | 01.11.2020 | Oct 2020 | ITC not available |
- The state of the supplier and place of supply is the same, whereas the recipient is located in another state.
| Sr No | Supplier Location | POS | Recipient GSTIN | Tax Charged | ITC availability sheet |
| 1 | KA | KA | KA | CGST & SGST | ITC available |
| 2 | KA | KA | MH | CGST & SGST | ITC not available |
| 3 | KA | MH | KA | IGST | ITC available |
| 4 | KA | MH | MH | IGST | ITC available |
Only because an invoice is showing in ITC available table does not means that taxpayer is eligible to take it’s ITC. If ITC is not allowed due to any other provisions of the GST Act or GST rules then such ITC should not be taken in GSTR-3B. For example, blocked credits in Section 17(5) or ITC not allowed in case of business of renting cab services.
Tables in GSTR-2B
| Sr no. | Table | Contains | Table of GSTR 3B | Comments |
| Table 3 Part A – ITC available | ||||
| 1 | Section I | Invoices and Debit notes including amendment filed by the supplier in GSTR 1 and GSTR 5 | 4(A)(5) | Does not contain RCM SuppliesNegative value due to amendment to be disclosed in Table 4(B)(2) |
| 2 | Section II | Invoices including amendment filed in GSTR 6 | 4(A)(4) | Negative value due to amendment to be disclosed in Table 4(B)(2) |
| 3 | Section III | Invoices and debit notes pertaining to supplies on which tax is to be paid on RCM basis declared and filed by the supplier in GSTR 1 | 3.1(d) & 4(A)(3) | Does not contain credit on import of services and unregistered supplier |
| 4 | Section IV | IGST paid on import of goods from the overseas and inward supply of goods from SEZ units/developers on the bill of entry including amendment | 4(A)(1) | Updated on a near real-time basis from the ICEGATEICEGATE reference date is the date from which ITC to be availed. However, the difference between the Bill of Entry date and ICEGATE reference date is not provided.Information on certain imports such as courier imports may not be available.Available from August 2020 onwards (i.e. 12th Sept 2020). |
| Table 3 Part B – ITC reversal | ||||
| 5 | Section I | Credit notes received including amendment declared and filed in GSTR-1,5 and 6 | 4(B)(2) | Negative values – then credit may be reclaimed subject to reversal on an earlier instance. |
Comparison of GSTR-2A with GSTR-2B
GSTR-2A and GSTR 2B can be compared as follows:
| Points of Comparison | GSTR-2A | GSTR-2B |
| Nature of Statement | Dynamic, as it changes from day to day, as and when the supplier uploads the documents. | Remains static or constant, as the GSTR-2B for one month cannot change based on future actions of the supplier. |
| Frequency of Availability | Monthly | Monthly |
| Source of Information | GSTR-1, GSTR-5, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-8 | GSTR-1, GSTR-5, GSTR-6, ICEGATE system |
| ITC on Import of Goods | Does not contain these details | Contains ITC on import of goods as obtained from ICEGATE system (available from GSTR-2B of August 2020 onwards) |
Example of Months in which invoice will be shown in GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B
| Sr No | Invoice Date | Reported in GSTR 1 of | Date of filing of GSTR 1 | GSTR 2A | GSTR 2B |
| 1 | 15.08.2020 | Aug 2020 | 11.09.2020 | Aug 2020 | Aug 2020 |
| 2 | 15.08.2020 | Sept 2020 | 11.10.2020 | Sept 2020 | Sept 2020 |
| 3 | 15.08.2020 | Aug 2020 | 11.10.2020 | Aug 2020 | Sept 2020 |
