What is Input Tax Credit (ITC) under GST

Input tax credit (ITC) is one of the key features of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. It aims to eliminate the cascading effect of taxes and reduces the cost of doing business.
 

What is the input tax credit (ITC) under GST?

Input Tax Credit (ITC) is the tax a business pays on its purchases, which it can claim back to lower the tax it owes when it sells products or services. Essentially, businesses can offset the GST they've paid on purchases against the GST they collect on sales. Since GST is an integrated tax system, every business transaction is interconnected, ensuring that the credit flows smoothly across the entire supply chain.

For example, if you are a manufacturer,

• You've paid Rs. 10,000 in input tax on product purchases
• You've collected Rs. 25,000 in output tax on product sales
• Consequently, your net tax payable amounts to Rs. 15,000 (calculated as Output Tax Collected minus Input Tax Credit).
  
  

Eligible and ineligible input tax credit

Under Section 17(5) of the CGST Act, there is a list of items and transactions that are not eligible for ITC claims. ITC cannot be claimed on these items. All other items, not mentioned in the list, are eligible for ITC claims.

Some examples of ineligible input tax credit include:

• Motor vehicles: Used for personal purposes (exceptions apply for resale, commercial use, or mandated cab services)
• Food and beverages: Catering, health, and similar services unless legally required
• Membership fees: Club or gym memberships
• Insurance: Health and life insurance, except when required by the government
• Construction expenses: Building immovable property
• Lost or destroyed goods: Damaged or gifted items

Input tax credit on capital goods

Input tax credit (ITC) on capital goods is a benefit available to taxpayers under the GST regime. It allows them to claim the GST paid on the purchase or import of capital goods, such as machinery, equipment, vehicles, etc., that are used for business purposes. However, there are certain conditions and restrictions for availing ITC on capital goods, such as:

• The capital goods must be capitalised in the books of accounts and not treated as business expenses.
• The tax component of the capital goods must not be claimed as depreciation under the Income Tax Act 1961.
• The ITC on capital goods must be reduced by 5% per quarter from the date of invoice, assuming a life span of five years.
• The ITC on capital goods cannot be claimed if they are used exclusively for exempt supplies or personal use.

These rules are meant to ensure that the ITC on capital goods is claimed only to the extent of their use in taxable supplies and in furtherance of business.
 

Who can claim input tax credit under GST?

A registered person (including an Input Service Distributor) can claim Input Tax Credit if the following conditions are met:

1. They must have a tax invoice issued by the supplier of goods or services, or a debit note issued by the supplier
2. They must have received the supply of goods or services, or both
3. They must have paid the tax for it in cash or as input tax under Section 41 of the GST Act
4. They must have filed the required returns under Section 39 of the GST Act
    

What can be claimed as ITC?

Companies can claim ITC only for business-related expenses. This excludes personal use, exempt goods, or goods that are not eligible for ITC claims. ITC can be used by companies to purchase raw materials, packaging materials, spare parts, consumables, printing, and stationery items.

Companies can also claim ITC on capital goods such as:

• Plant and machinery
• Support structures for plant and machinery
• Motor vehicles used for transporting goods
• Repairs for transport vehicles
• Electronics, furniture, appliances, etc.

Taxpayers can also claim ITC for various other expenses, including cleaning, rent, internet, mobile phones, bank fees, repairs, advertising, legal fees, and conference costs.

Common Credit in ITC

A company may purchase capital goods, input materials, and services from external sources. These items and services can be used for both private and business purposes. Under GST, businesses can claim the total input tax credit on all such purchases as Proportionate Credit or Common Credit. However, the taxpayer cannot claim credit for inputs used for personal purposes. Therefore, the standard credit should be applied when paying the production tax liability.

The standard credit can be used under these conditions:

• ITC can only be claimed for business purposes, not for personal use of goods and services
• ITC is only available for selling taxable goods and services
• ITC does not apply to exempted supplies
   

How to Calculate Input Tax Credit (ITC)?

To calculate ITC, follow these steps:

• Add up the GST paid on all purchases during the relevant tax period
• Identify which inputs qualify for ITC
• Calculate the total ITC by multiplying the eligible GST paid on purchases by the input percentage
• Subtract the calculated ITC from the GST payable on sales for that tax period
   

Conditions to claim an input tax credit under GST

As per Section 16 of the CGST Act, registered persons are entitled to claim input tax credit (ITC) for goods or services used in their business. Here is a quick view of the conditions to claim an input tax credit under GST:

1. To claim ITC, a registered person (buyer) must:
   • Possess a valid tax invoice or debit note issued by a registered supplier.
   • Receive the goods or services.
   • Ensure that the tax charged on the supply has been paid to the government, either in cash or through the utilisation of admissible input tax credit.
   • Furnish the GST returns.
2. ITC can be claimed upon receiving the last lot or instalment of goods, if received in lots or instalments.
3. If a recipient fails to pay the supplier within 180 days from the invoice date, the amount equal to the ITC availed shall be added to the recipient's output tax liability, along with interest.
4. ITC is not allowed if depreciation has been claimed on the tax component of capital goods under the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
5. No ITC is allowed after the due date of filing the GST returns as per the time limit set by GST provisions.
6. Common ITC used for exempt/taxable supplies or business/non-business activities must be identified and split accordingly.
7. Certain items are ineligible for ITC claims under Section 17(5) of the CGST Act, termed as blocked credits.
    

Time limit to claim input tax credit under GST

The deadline for claiming input tax credit under GST is mentioned in Section 16(4) of the CGST Act, 2017. This deadline was updated from 1st October 2022. As per the new rule, the last date to claim ITC under GST is the earlier of the following two dates:

• 30th November after the end of the relevant financial year, or
• The date of filing the annual GST return using Form GSTR 9

How to claim an input input tax credit under GST?

To claim input tax credit under GST, you must follow these steps:

1. File a monthly return in form GSTR-3B and declare your output tax liability and input tax credit details.
2. Verify the input tax credit details in form GSTR-2B, which is an auto-drafted statement based on the returns filed by your suppliers.
3. Reconcile any discrepancies between the claimed input tax credit and form GSTR-2B and rectify them in the next month’s return.
4. Ensure that you pay any excess input tax credit claimed along with interest and penalty if applicable.

Input tax credit helps in reducing the tax burden on businesses and ensures a seamless flow of credit in the GST system. By following the rules and procedures for claiming input tax credit, you can avail the benefits of GST and improve your cash flow and profitability.
 

Claiming ITC with an example

Regular taxpayers are mandated to report input tax credit (ITC) in their monthly GST returns using Form GSTR-3B, particularly in Table 4, which necessitates the inclusion of eligible ITC, ineligible ITC, and ITC reversed during the tax period. Taxpayers can only claim ITC if it reflects in their GSTR-2B, highlighting the importance of matching the purchase register with the GSTR-2B for accurate ITC claims. For example, if a taxpayer has eligible ITC of Rs. 1,000 and ineligible ITC of Rs. 200 in a given tax period, they must report these figures accurately in Table 4 of Form GSTR-3B to comply with GST regulations and ensure proper tax credit utilisation.
 

GST Rules To Claim Input Tax Credit

Businesses need to follow certain rules for ITC claims. These rules are:

• The buyer should have a valid debit note, tax invoice, or another prescribed document issued by the supplier
• The buyer should have received the goods or services. If the product is received in installments, the credit should be claimed after receiving the last installment
• General insurance, maintenance, and repair for aircraft, motor vehicles, and vessels
• The supplier should have paid the due tax to the government for the recipient to claim input tax credit
• Motor vehicles for transporting people with a seating capacity of more than 13, including the driver, aircraft, vessels, and money for, or by, a financial institution or banking company
• The supplier should have filed GST returns. GST rules allow you to claim input tax credit on purchases you make, but this is only allowed if the supplier is compliant with GST norms and has paid the tax collected from buyers
• To claim ITC, the buyer should pay for the purchase, including tax, within 180 days of the invoice being issued. If the buyer fails to do so, the amount of credit claimed will be added to their output tax liability. After the taxpayer pays the amount due to the supplier, they can claim ITC
• ITC on debit notes and invoices issued by the supplier, where the details for such debit notes and invoices are reflected in GSTR 2B
   

How does Input Tax Credit work under GST?

Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, Input Tax Credit (ITC) plays a pivotal role in streamlining tax payments and reducing cascading effects. Here's how Input Tax Credit works:

Suppose Mr. A sells goods to Mr. B. Mr. B, as the buyer, can claim credit on purchases based on invoices.
 

Process Overview

1. Invoice recording: Sellers like Mr. A record tax invoices in their GSTR-1.
2. Auto-population: The details of purchases by Mr. B from Mr. A are reflected in GSTR-2A or GSTR-2B.
3. Acceptance: Mr. B verifies and accepts the purchase details in GSTR-2, confirming the accuracy of seller-reported data.
4. Credit allocation: The tax amount on purchases is credited to Mr. B's Electronic Credit Ledger.
5. Adjustment and refund: Mr. B can utilize this credit against future tax liabilities, thus reducing the amount payable. Excess credit can be claimed as a refund.
    

Reversal of Input Tax Credit

Input tax credit (ITC) can only be claimed for goods and services used for business purposes. It cannot be claimed for non-business (personal) purposes or for making exempt supplies. Additionally, there are certain situations where ITC will be reversed:

1. Non-payment of invoices within 180 days: ITC will be reversed for invoices that remain unpaid beyond 180 days from the date of issue.
2. Credit note issued to Input Service Distributor (ISD) by seller: If a credit note is issued by the seller to the Input Service Distributor, the ITC that was reduced subsequently will be reversed.
3. Inputs used partly for business and partly for exempted supplies or personal use: In cases where inputs are used for both business and non-business (personal) purposes, the portion of ITC used for personal purposes must be reversed proportionately.
4. Capital goods used partly for business and partly for exempted supplies or personal use: Similar to the above situation, if capital goods are used for both business and non-business (personal) purposes, the ITC must be reversed proportionately.
5. Insufficient reversal of ITC: After the annual return is filed, if the total ITC on inputs for exempted/non-business purposes exceeds the ITC reversed during the year, the difference amount will be added to the output liability, with interest applicable.

Details of the reversal of ITC are to be provided in the GSTR-3B. For a deeper understanding of how ITC is segregated into business and personal use and subsequent calculations, refer to our article on the topic.
 

ITC reconciliation

The input tax credit (ITC) claimed by a person must align with the details provided by their supplier in their GST return. If there's any discrepancy, both the supplier and recipient will be notified of the discrepancies after filing the GSTR-3B. To understand how to reconcile such discrepancies, refer to our article on GSTR-2A Reconciliation.

For a comprehensive understanding of the reasons for ITC mismatches and the process to apply for re-claiming ITC, please read our detailed article on the topic.
 

Tips for Effective ITC Reconciliation

1. Start early: Commencing the reconciliation process ahead of time provides ample opportunity for a comprehensive review and allows for any necessary corrections to be made.
2. Maintain accurate records: Keeping detailed and organised documentation will facilitate the reconciliation process and ensure precision throughout.
3. Reconcile regularly: Conducting frequent checks will help you detect any discrepancies promptly.
4. Utilise automation: Employing automation can improve efficiency, minimise manual errors, and streamline the process of data comparison.
5. Seek Professional Assistance: If you encounter uncertainty or complexity in your transactions, do not hesitate to consult a tax professional for guidance.
    

Documents required for claiming ITC

To claim Input Tax Credit (ITC), the following documents are required:

• Invoice issued by the supplier of goods/services
• Debit note issued by the supplier to the recipient (if any)
• Bill of entry
• Invoice issued under specific circumstances, such as a bill of supply issued instead of a tax invoice if the amount is less than Rs 200, or when the reverse charge is applicable as per GST law
• Invoice or credit note issued by the Input Service Distributor (ISD) in accordance with GST invoice rules
• Bill of supply issued by the supplier of goods and services or both.
   

ITC on job work

In a scenario where a principal manufacturer sends goods for further processing to a job worker, such as a shoe manufacturing company sending half-made shoes to have soles fitted, the principal manufacturer can claim credit for the tax paid on the purchase of these goods sent for job work.
 

Input Tax Credit (ITC) will be allowed under two circumstances:

1. When goods are sent to the job worker from the principal's place of business.
2. When goods are sent directly from the place of supply of the supplier of such goods to the job worker.

However, to be eligible for ITC, the goods sent must be received back by the principal within 1 year (3 years for capital goods).
 

ITC on transfer of business

This provision applies in cases of amalgamations, mergers, or transfer of business. In such instances, the transferor will have available Input Tax Credit (ITC), which will be transferred to the transferee at the time of the transfer of business.
 

Items on which input tax credit (ITC) is not allowed

Input tax credit (ITC) is a mechanism under GST that allows a registered person to claim credit for the tax paid on the inward supplies of goods or services or both. However, ITC is not available for all items of expenditure. Some of the items on which ITC is not allowed are:

• Motor vehicles and other conveyances, except when they are used for further supply, transportation of passengers, providing training, or transportation of goods.
• Food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery. Except when they are used for making an outward taxable supply of the same category or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply.
• Membership of a club, health, and fitness centre.
• Rent-a-cab, life insurance, and health insurance, except when they are mandatory for an employer to provide to its employees under any law or when they are used for making an outward taxable supply of the same category or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply.
• Travel benefits are extended to employees on vacation or home travel concession.
• Works contract services when supplied for construction of an immovable property, except when it is an input service for further supply of works contract service.
• Goods or services received by a taxable person for construction of an immovable property on their own account, other than plants and machinery.
• Goods or services on which tax has been paid under a composition scheme.
• Goods or services used for personal consumption.
• Goods lost, stolen, destroyed, written off, or disposed of by way of gift or free samples.
• Any tax paid due to short payment, excessive refund, fraud, suppression, misdeclaration, or confiscation.
• Goods or services used for making exempt supplies.
   

Recent updates and changes in ITC rules

Businesses now have until November 30 to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) for the previous financial year, an extension from the original deadline of September 30. Since January 1, 2022, businesses can only claim ITC based on an auto-generated statement from the GST portal, marking a significant departure from the previous two-way communication model.

The earlier provision allowing businesses to claim provisional ITC for unreported invoices has been eliminated. Consequently, claims must now depend solely on the auto-generated statement provided by the GST portal.

Additionally, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act differentiates between ‘ITC availed’ (which refers to the eligibility to claim the credit) and ‘ITC utilised’ (which denotes the actual application of the credit). It is important to note that interest may be charged on any excess ITC claimed, highlighting the necessity for businesses to maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with the revised regulations. By understanding these changes and adhering to the deadlines, businesses can optimise their ITC claims and ensure proper utilisation of credits.