Input Credit Under GST

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Input credit under GST can be claimed on any goods or services or both procured to be used in the business. In this section we will be discussing the following:

  1. Conditions to claim input credit on inputs, input services and capital goods
  2. Manner of utilisation of input credit
  3. Input credit on inputs and capital goods sent to a Job Worker
  4. Input Service Distributor
  5. Input credit under special circumstances
  6. Amount of input credit that can be availed in case of:
  • Inputs and Input Services
  • Capital Goods

What are the conditions to claim input credit on inputs, input services and capital goods?

Conditions to claim input credit on inputs, input services and capital goods are as follows:

  1. The registered person should in possession of a tax invoice or debit note issued by a supplier registered under this Act, or such other tax paying documents i.e. bill of entry, invoice prepared in respect of tax paid on reverse charge basis and document issued by ISD
  2. The registered person should have received the goods or services or both
  3. Where goods are received in instalments against a single invoice, credit can be availed on receipt of the last instalment
  4. The goods or services or both should be used in the course or in furtherance of his business
  5. The registered person should have filed the monthly returns
  6. The supplier from whom the goods or services or both were procured has paid the tax to the Government
  7. The registered person has paid tax to the Government in case of tax charged on a reverse charge basis
  8. Input credit cannot be used to pay the tax under reverse charge basis
  9. The registered person should not have charged depreciation including the input tax in the cost of a Capital Asset
  10. The input credit can be claimed up to 20th October following the end of the financial year or date of filing the annual return whichever is earlier
  11. The recipient has to pay the supplier of goods or services or both the supplier within 180 days from the date of the invoice

Note: If the recipient fails to pay the supplier of goods within the above-mentioned period, an amount equal to the input credit availed by the recipient on such invoices will be added to his output tax liability along with interest at 18% from the date the credit was availed till the date it is added to the output tax liability. The recipient of supply has to declare these details in his GSTR 2 for the relevant period.  

What is the manner in which the input credit can be utilised?

Input credit can be utilised in the following manner:

Input Credit Under GST

What are the restrictions in utilisation of input credit?

Please note that IGST input credit should first be used to off set IGST output tax, then towards CGST and any balance remaining towards SGST. Similarly, CGST/ SGST input credit should first be used to off set CGST/SGST output tax, and any balance remaining towards IGST.

  1. Input credit of CGST and SGST in one State or Union Territory cannot be utilised against CGST and SGST of another State and Union Territory. [Note: Please read the topic on input service distributor below to understand how the input credit can be transferred from one State/ Union Territory to another]
  2. Only input credit on goods or services or both received in respect of taxable outward supplies and export supplies can be utilised.
  3. Input credit on goods or services or both received in respect of non-taxable, nil rated or exempt supplies cannot be utilised.

What are the circumstances in which the input credit will be rendered ineligible?

Input credit on the following transactions shall be rendered ineligible subject to certain exceptions that are listed alongside.

  1. Input credit on motor vehicles unless they are used for the transportation of goods or passengers and imparting training
  2. Input credit on food and beverage services, outdoor catering unless they are used in the outward supply of similar nature
  3. Input credit on beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery unless they are used in the outward supply of similar nature
  4. Input credit on fee paid for membership of a club, health or fitness centre
  5. Input credit on goods or services for personal consumption
  6. Input credit on travel benefits extended to employees on vacation
  7. Input credit on goods and services used in the construction of an immoveable property
  8. Input credit on membership of a club or fitness centre
  9. Input credit on goods lost, stolen, destroyed, written off or disposed off by way of gift or free samples
  10. Input credit on goods or services or both received by a non-resident taxable person except on the goods imported
  11. Input credit on rent a cab, life insurance and health insurance services unless
  • they are used in the outward supply of similar nature or
  • where the Government notifies that the employer is obligated to provide such services to the employees

How to calculate the amount of input tax credit that can be availed in case of inputs and input services where an Organisation has taxable supplies including export supplies and exempt supplies?

Where an Organisation has taxable supplies including export supplies and exempt supplies, the input credit on inputs and input services availed by the Organisation must appropriately be apportioned against each of the following supplies in the below manner on a monthly basis at an invoice level.

Step 1: The total input credit should be first reduced by input credit on inputs and input services:

  • Not used in the course and furtherance of business
  • That cannot be used due to restrictions laid by the law

Step 2: Out of the balance input credit above, input credit directly attributable to each of the supplies (i.e. exempt supplies and taxable supplies) shall be allocated to them. The amount attributable to taxable supplies shall be added to the electronic credit ledger and utilised against payment of output tax liability or claimed as a refund.

Step 3: The common pool of input credit remaining after Step 2 shall be allocated to the exempt supplies in the ratio of the turnover of exempt supplies in that State/ Union Territory to aggregate turnover.

Note: Turnover and aggregate turnover should be taken for the financial year immediately preceding the financial year in which the distribution is being made.

Step 4: If in the common pool, there is any input credit from inputs or input services, that are used for any non-business purposes, then 5% of the common pool in Step 3 should be reduced.

Step 5: The amount calculated in Step 3 and Step 4 should be added to the output tax liability.

Step 6: The remaining input credit is attributable to taxable supplies including export supplies. The amount attributable to taxable supplies shall be added to the electronic credit ledger and utilised against payment of output tax liability or claimed as a refund.

Click here to understand the eligibility and process for refunds.

Note: Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3 should be done at the invoice level and declared by the registered person in GSTR 2 on a monthly basis separately for CGST, SGST/UTGST and IGST.

(Refer Illustration)

What is the impact of the above calculation at the time of filing Annual Returns?

The above calculation should be done for the financial year as a whole while filing the Annual Return.

Where the amounts calculated in Step 3 and Step 4 for the Annual Return is higher than the amount declared by the registered person in the monthly returns, then such excess amount shall be added to the output tax liability in any month following the financial year for which the Annual Return is being filed but before September. An interest at the rate of 18% shall be payable on such excess amount for a period starting 1st April of the succeeding financial year till the date of payment.

Where the amounts calculated in Step 3 and Step 4 for the Annual Return is lesser than the amount declared by the registered person in the monthly returns, then such differential amount can be claimed as input credit by September following the end of the financial year for which the Annual Return is being filed.

Click here to understand the return filing process for a registered person.

What are the exceptions available to the above calculation methods?

A Banking Company or a Financial Institution including a Non-Banking Financial Corporation shall either calculate input credit on inputs, input services and capital goods that can be availed in the above manner or they may choose to avail 50% of the input credit and the remaining will lapse.

How to calculate the amount of input tax credit that can be availed on capital goods?

Where an Organisation has taxable supplies including export supplies and exempt supplies, the input credit on capital goods availed by the Organisation must appropriately be apportioned against each of the following supplies in the below manner on a monthly basis at an invoice level.

Step 1: The total input credit should be first reduced by input credit on inputs and input services:

  • Not used in the course and furtherance of business
  • That cannot be used due to restrictions laid by the law

Step 2: Out of the balance input credit above, input credit directly attributable to each of the supplies (i.e. exempt supplies and taxable supplies) shall be allocated to them. The amount attributable to taxable supplies shall be added to the electronic credit ledger and utilised against payment of output tax liability or claimed as a refund.

Step 3: The common pool of input credit remaining after Step 2 shall be allocated to the exempt supplies in the ratio of the turnover of exempt supplies in that State/ Union Territory to aggregate turnover over 60 months.

Note: Turnover and aggregate turnover should be taken for the financial year immediately preceding the financial year in which the distribution is being made.

Step 4: The amount calculated in Step 3 should be added to the output tax liability.

Step 6: The remaining input credit is attributable to taxable supplies including export supplies. The amount attributable to taxable supplies shall be added to the electronic credit ledger over 60 months and utilised against payment of output tax liability or claimed as a refund.

(Refer Illustration)

Can input credit in respect of inputs and capital goods sent for Job Work be availed?

A Principal can take input credit on inputs and capital goods sent to a Job Worker irrespective of whether such inputs and capital goods were sent directly to the Job Worker or first received at the Principal’s location and then sent to the Job Worker.

What are the conditions for availing the input credit in respect of inputs and capital goods sent for Job Work?

Conditions for availing the input credit

  1. In case of inputs, whether processed or not, they are returned to the Principal within one year from the date of receipt of such inputs by the Job Worker
  2. In case of capital goods, they are returned to the Principal within three years from the date of receipt of such capital goods by the Job Worker
  3. The Principal is required to issue a challan for all the inputs and capital goods sent to the Job Worker
  4. All challans issued in respect of inputs and capital goods sent to the Job Worker and received back should be reported in GSTR 1 by the Principal
  5. All challans issued in respect of inputs and capital goods sent to the Job Worker and received back should also be reported in GST ITC 04 by the Principal on a quarterly basis
  6. The challan should contain the following details:
  • Date and number of the delivery challan
  • Name, address and GSTIN of the Principal, if registered
  • Name, address and GSTIN or UIN of the Job Worker, if registered
  • HSN code and description of goods
  • Quantity (provisional, where the exact quantity being supplied is not known)
  • Place of supply, in case of inter-State movement
  • Signature of the Principal

Note: Capital goods do not include moulds, dies, jigs, fixtures or tools

What are the conditions to be complied with for an Input Service Distributor to distribute credit?

Where any branch of an Organisation in one State wants to transfer input credit pertaining to a branch in another State is required to obtain registration as an Input Service Distributor.

Conditions for distribution of credit by an Input Service Distributor

  1. The credit distributed shall not exceed the credit available
  2. Credit distributed should be attributable to the recipient
  3. The recipient should have the same Permanent Account Number as the Input Service Distributor
  4. Distribution has to be made basis a document containing the following details:
  • Name, address and GSTIN of the Input Service Distributor;
  • Document serial number;
  • Date of its issue;
  • Name, address and GSTIN of the recipient to whom the credit is distributed;
  • Amount of the credit distributed;
  • Signature of the Input Service Distributor

What is the manner of distribution of credit to be followed by an Input Service Distributor?

Manner of distribution of credit by an Input Service Distributor

  1. IGST input credit should be distributed as IGST input only
  2. CGST and SGST/UTGST input credit should be distributed as:
  • CGST and SGST/UTGST input credit if the recipient branch is within the same State or Union Territory as the Input Service Distributor
  • IGST input credit if the recipient branch is in a different State or Union Territory as the Input Service Distributor

How to calculate the amount of input credit that can be distributed by an Input Service Distributor?

Amount of Input tax credit to be distributed should be calculated in the below manner:

  1. Input credit attributable to a specific branch shall be distributed to that branch
  2. Input credit attributable to multiple branches shall be distributed in the ratio of the turnover in that State/ Union Territory to aggregate turnover

Note: Turnover and aggregate turnover should be taken for the financial year immediately preceding the financial year in which the distribution is being made

Any additional input tax credit identified at a later date, that may need to be distributed shall be so distributed in the same manner and determination as above based on a debit note. The distribution shall be made in the month in which the debit note is included in the GSTR 6.

Any reduction in the input tax credit identified at a later date, shall be reduced in the same proportion in which it was earlier distributed based on a credit note. The reduction shall be made in the same month in which the credit note is included in the GSTR 6. The amount so reduced, shall be added to the output tax liability.

Click here to understand the return filing process for an Input service distributor.

What are the other circumstances under which input credit can be claimed?

In the following cases, input credit in respect of inputs, semi-finished goods or finished goods held in stock can be claimed.

Input Credit Under GST

Conditions:

  1. The registered person will have to file form GST ITC 01 within thirty days from the date of becoming liable for registration. 
  2. The details declared must be duly certified by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant if the total value of input credit exceeds INR 2 lakh.
  3. The invoices pertaining to the inward supplies should be dated within 1 year prior to the above-mentioned date.

*In these two cases the registered person can claim input credit on capital goods as well after reducing 5% of the input tax per quarter or part thereof from the date of invoice to the above mentioned dates.

Where there is a change in the constitution of a registered person on account of sale, amalgamation, merger, demerger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of the business, the unutilised input credit can be carried forward to the new entity.

Conditions:

  1. There should be a specific provision to transfer all the liabilities.
  2. The inputs and capital goods transferred should be recorded in the transferee’s books.
  3. The transferor should file form GST ITC 02 and the details there in should be accepted by the transferee.

Illustration

Data for the month of April 2018.

ABC is a trader in cotton apparel in both the local and export markets with a turnover of INR 5,00,000 of which 10% is attributable to export sales and 10% is attributable to inter-state sales. ABC also earns rental income from a building let out for residential purposes of INR 1,00,000.

Inward Supplies

  1. The apparel is bought at 60% of the sale value from another State.
  2. During the period ABC incurred an expenditure of INR 20,000 on painting the building let out for residential purposes and paid GST of 28% on this expenditure.
  3. ABC provides lunch to its employees costing INR 12,000 taxed at 18%.
  4. ABC incurs audit and accounting fee of INR 25,000 taxed at 18%.
  5. ABC also provides food and uniforms to a nearby school. The cost incurred on the food is INR 10,000 taxed at 18% and uniforms is INR 15,000 taxed at 18%.
  6. ABC purchases a computer worth INR 50,000 at 28% used for maintaining the accounts relating sale of apparel, rental of building for residential purposes and the supply of food and uniforms to the school.
  7. ABC also purchases shelves for storage of the apparel in stock, the value of which is INR 30,000 taxed at 28%.

The tax rate for the apparel is 18%.

What is the amount of input credit that can be availed and output tax payable by ABC.

Calculation of input tax credit in respect of inputs

Identifying input credits available at the invoice level

Input Credit Under GST

Identifying input credits eligible to be availed and utilised

Note 1: These amounts have to be declared in GSTR 2

Note 1: These amounts have to be declared in GSTR 2
Note 2: Will be added to the Output Tax Liability while calculating the same

Calculation of input tax credit in respect of capital goods

Identifying input credits available at the invoice level

Input Credit Under GST
Identifying input credits eligible to be availed and utilised

Input Credit Under GST

Note 1: These amounts have to be declared in GSTR 2

Note 2: With respect to the common pool of input credit for capital asset, the input credit can be availed over 60 months. Hence input credit that can be availed for the month of April 2018 is INR 14,000/60 months being INR 233 each for CGST and SGST. The balance INR 13,767 can be claimed over the next 59 months.

Note 3: Will be added to the Output Tax Liability while calculating the same

Calculation of output tax liability

Input Credit Under GST

Calculation of Output Tax Payable

Input Credit Under GST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am a Chartered Accountant with 5 years of experience in both Consulting (KPMG) and Industry (Tapzo).

I am currently assisting various Organizations in understanding the impact of GST on their businesses to help them with a smooth transition.

Key areas of experience include:
– GST
– Developing SOPs and Process Implementation
– Identifying and Implementing Internal Controls as required by the ICFR Framework
– Training and Development of staff in various Finance/ Audit functions
– Statutory Audits

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