Comprehensive Guide on GST Input Tax Credit in Tally

By consolidating multiple indirect taxes into a single structure, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) has completely transformed the Indian tax system. The eligible ITC (Input Tax Credit), is a key component of this system that enables companies to deduct input tax payments from their output tax liability.

By ensuring that taxes are only imposed on value addition at each stage, this technique stops taxes from having a cascading effect. For businesses using accounting software like Tally, understanding GST Input Tax Credit in Tally becomes essential. Tally simplifies the recording and tracking of ITC, ensuring that eligible credits are accurately captured and utilized while filing GST returns.

With its detailed explanations of eligibility standards, ineligibility scenarios, paperwork requirements, and specific cases, this comprehensive guide explores the nuances of the ITC.

What is Input Tax Credit in GST?

Input Tax Credit indicates an amount that a registered person or taxpayer may claim as an extent of credit for the GST paid in respect of purchases of goods or services used in the course of business. Simply put, it means that businesses are allowed to reduce their payment of tax liabilities by way of credit for taxes already paid on input requirements.

For example, if a manufacturer pays GST on raw materials procured and then collects GST on sales of the finished goods, the GST paid on inputs can be set off against the GST collected on sales, with only the balance difference payable to the government.

Notably, GST details include central tax and state/UT tax for ITC calculation based on purchase vouchers. You need to create vouchers for each transaction and consider journal vouchers to track transactions.

State tax and central tax are levied for intrastate transactions. Your GST reports include all the details of taxes paid and ITC claimed as per the instructions of the GST Council. You can check your expense ledger for GST adjustments.

When Does One Become Eligible to Avail Input Tax Credit under GST?

Here are the scenarios when one becomes eligible to claim input tax credit (ITC):

If One Applies For Registration, on Becoming Liable To Register in the GST Regime

When you are liable to register under the GST (Goods and Services Tax) regime, and you apply for registration, you can avail ITC. The inputs on which you can avail ITC include semi-finished goods or finished goods that you have in stock, a day prior to you becoming liable to pay tax.

Notably, you can claim ITC if you apply for registration within 30 days from the date when you become liable to register and your registration is granted by the GST authorities.

If One Voluntarily Applies for Registration

Entities voluntarily registering under GST, even if not required by cut-off limits, can claim ITC for inputs in stock, semi-finished goods, and finished goods on the day preceding the date of registration.

If One Shifts from the Composition Scheme to the Regular Dealership

In case your aggregate annual turnover is ₹50 lakhs, you need to shift from the composition scheme to the regular scheme under GST. This makes you a regular dealer and not a composite dealer. In such a scenario, you can claim input tax credits. The credits on capital goods in such a scenario are reduced by percentage points, which you will be notified of.

When Exempted Goods or Services Become Taxable

If goods and services exempt from GST become taxable, you can claim ITC on the day following the day before the supplies turn taxable:

● Inputs, semi-finished or finished goods that are in stock, are associated with an exempt supply.

● If capital goods are used for an exempt supply, the credits are reduced to percentage points.

When a Sale/Merger/Demerger/Amalgamation/Lease/Transfer of the Business Occurs

If you have unutilised ITC, you can transfer the same to sell, demerge, merge, amalgamate, transfer or lease businesses to claim the input tax credit.

When Goods and/or Services Are Used Partly for Business and Partly for Other Purposes

If you use part of the goods and services for business purposes and the remaining part for non-business purposes, you can avail of input tax credit only on the part you use for business purposes.

When Goods and/or Services Are Used Partly for Taxable Supplies and Partly for Exempt Supplies

If goods and services are used partly for taxable supplies and partly for exempt supplies, you can claim ITC on the part used to make taxable or zero-rated supplies. ITC does not apply to exempt supplies and supplies under the reverse charge mechanism, wherein the recipient bears the tax burden.

When Goods Are Received in Lots or Installments

You can claim ITC when you receive goods in lots or instalments. However, ITC applies when you receive the last lot or instalment.

Purchase of Pipelines and Telecommunication Towers

You can claim ITC on the purchase of pipelines and telecommunications towers. One-third of the total input tax invoice paid can be claimed in the same financial year when you purchase, and the remaining portion can be claimed in the following financial year. This helps balance ITC in any financial year.

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When Does One Become Ineligible to Claim Input Tax Credit under GST?

Here are the situations when an individual is ineligible to claim input credit:

Registration Not Applied Within 30 Days from the Date on Which One Becomes Liable to Register

If you do not apply for registration within 30 days from the date when you become liable for registration, you cannot claim the input tax credit. It applies to inputs, including semi-finished and finished goods in stock, on the day before you become liable to register under GST.

After the Time Limit for Availing Input Tax Credit Is Crossed

You need to claim ITC within the earliest of the following days:

• 1 year from the invoice date
• The date of GST return filing for September of the following financial year is 20th October.
• The due date for filing the annual return is 31st December of the following financial year.

On Supplies Received for Which Payment Has Not Been Made Within 3 Months from the Date of Invoice

In case a recipient fails to pay for supplies that he/she receives, followed by the tax payable, within 3 months from the date of invoice, the ITC claimed will be included in the concerned recipient's liability in addition to the outstanding interest.

On Motor Vehicles and Other Conveyances

You cannot avail ITC on motor vehicles or conveyance unless you use them for the following purposes:

• If you use it for further supplies
• In case you use it for passenger transportation or goods transportation.
• If you use them for imparting training related to flying, driving or navigating these vehicles or conveyances

Other Scenarios

You cannot claim ITC in the following scenarios:

• On membership of health and fitness centres, clubs, cab rental services, life or health insurance for an employee, excluding services that are mentioned as obligatory.
• On outdoor catering, food and beverage services, beauty treatment, cosmetic and plastic surgery, health services
• Travel benefits to employees on vacation or home travel, and leave concessions.
• Tax on capital goods, in case you have claimed depreciation on the tax component
• Goods and services used as inputs by a composition dealer
• Services and goods used for non-business purposes
• Goods and services used to make exempt supplies
• Services or goods wherein the recipient pays tax on a reverse charge basis
• Lost, destroyed, stolen, written off or disposed of gifts and samples

Treatment of Input Tax Credit Already Availed in Exceptional Scenarios

Taxpayers need to consider the reversal of input tax credit due when they are participating in returns for GST adjustment for a specific return filing period. Here are the exceptional scenarios of availing input tax credit:

When a Regular Dealer Who Has Availed ITC Switches to the Composition Scheme

If you are a regular dealer who has availed ITC previously, however shift to composition scheme later, you need to pay back the amount of ITC availed. This includes input tax credit on inputs in semi-finished and finished goods, capital goods and stock (reduced by specific percentage point) on the day prior to the date of switching to the composition  scheme.

When Taxable Goods and/or Services Become Exempt

If you have supplied goods and services which are notified as exempt, you need to pay back the ITC availed on inputs in semi-finished or finished goods, stock and capital goods (reduced by a specific percentage point) on the day prior to the exemption date.

Documents to Claim ITC 

You need the following documents to avail ITC:

• An invoice that the supplier issued for goods or services.
• Debit note that the supplier issued to the recipient.
• An invoice is issued, which is similar to a Bill of Supply in case the cumulative amount does not exceed ₹200.
• Bill of Entry or other similar document for imports
• Bill of Supply issued by the supplier
• Document provided by ISD (Input Service Distributor), including invoice or credit note.
• Invoice Issued under Reverse Charge Mechanism, where the recipient is liable to pay tax.

Furthermore, the recipient must also ensure that:

• The supplier has paid the tax to the government.
• The recipient has received the goods or services.
• The recipient has filed the requisite GST returns.

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Special Cases of ITC

Here are some of the special cases of input credit:

ITC on Job Work

Here are the scenarios where Input Tax Credit can be availed for goods sent to a job worker:

• If goods are sent from the primary manufacturing facility directly
• In case goods are supplied from the supplier's place of supply

ITC for Capital Goods

You can avail input tax credits for capital goods except for the following:

• Capital Merchandise, which is used for making exempt goods
• Capital Merchandise is used for personal purposes, excluding business purposes.

ITC by Input Service Distributor (ISD)

An ISD can be the head office, registered office or branch office of the GST-registered person. It distributes the ITC to all eligible recipients under several headings, like IGST, CGST, SGST/UTGST, or cess on purchases.

Conclusion

GST input tax credit is a cornerstone facilitating a seamless flow of credit and eliminating the cascading effect of taxes. For Indian businesses, understanding the intricacies of ITC is vital for compliance and optimal tax planning.

By adhering to the eligibility criteria, maintaining proper documentation, and being aware of scenarios leading to ineligibility, businesses can effectively leverage ITC to their advantage.

Moreover, for businesses that rely on digital accounting, managing GST Input Tax Credit in Tally offers an efficient way to ensure compliance.

💡If you want to streamline your payment and make GST payments via credit, debit card or UPI, consider using the PICE App. Explore the PICE App today and take your business to new heights.

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