Form GSTR-2A under GST Law

Introduction

In the GST law, various returns are specified for various kind of registered person, which is to be filed by them based on the nature of the registered person returns. However, there are several forms in which information gets auto-populated. Form GSTR-2A is one of the form in which information gets auto-populated. It is an auto-generated form that includes the inward supplies received by the registered person. It is generated for every registered person excluding recipients who are Composition dealers or an Input Service distributor as Form GSTR-4A and Form GSTR-6A are prescribed for them respectively. Form GSTR-2A has no due date and is not required to be filed by the recipient as it is a read-only form that is for information purpose only and it includes the information furnished by the supplier for the particular month. It does not have a static date for generation, the information gets updated whenever the supplier furnishes the information relating to that particular tax period.

Source of Information auto-populated in the Form GSTR-2A

In the Form GSTR-2A of the registered recipient, the information about the inward supplies received from the registered suppliers during the relevant period gets reflected. The suppliers furnish the information about their outward supplies in their respective return (such as GSTR-1, GSTR-5, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-8) or through the Invoice Furnishing facility which gets auto-populated in GSTR-2A of the recipient. It also includes the information about the import of goods or inward supplies received in the Domestic Tariff Area from the SEZ units/ developers by the recipient during the relevant period.

Information of invoices that will not get auto-populated in the GSTR-2A

Form GSTR-2A excludes information of some inward supplies received during the relevant period. Information about the supplies received from an unregistered person, self-generated invoices based on reverse charge mechanism where the supplier is not registered, invoice of import of service.

Where to consider the information reflecting in Form GSTR-2A

A recipient can consider the information reflecting in the Form GSTR -2A for matching the information included in the Tax invoice. Reconciliation of information of inward supplies with the information reflecting in the Form GSTR-2A helps to avail the ITC missed out by the recipient.

• • Registered Person has to consider the information at the time of availing the credit of Input tax as required under Section 16(2) of the CGST Act, 2017. (However, from August 2020 onwards, Form GSTR – 2B is considered in place of Form GSTR-2A for this purpose)
  • Copy of Form GSTR-2A is submitted as a document along with the refund application
  • Reconciliation of ITC has to be done at the time of filing of Annual Return in

Relationship between Form GSTR-2A and GSTR-2

The Form GSTR-2 includes the same information as Form GSTR-2A includes. Form GSTR-2A is not required to be filed whereas Form GSTR-2 has a due date and is required to be filed. The information in Form GSTR-2A can be used to file Form GSTR-2, however, the taxpayer can edit and makes changes in Form GSTR-2 for the inward supplies not reflecting in the Form GSTR-2A. It is important to note that the Form GSTR-2 is not made effective for any recipient.

Relationship between Form GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B

The recipient has to file Form GSTR-3B on a monthly or quarterly basis. The summarized information about the supplies received or supplied by the registered person has to be furnished in it. Reconciliation has to be performed between the information auto-populated in the Form GSTR-2A and the information based on which details of inward supply is furnished in the Form GSTR-3B, just to ensure that the person is not availing the tax credit in excess.

GST Authorities have also issued notices to taxpayers to provide a reconciliation between both the forms (GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B). Reconciliation ensures that credit is being claimed for the tax which has been paid to the supplier.

Relationship between Form GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B

The Form GSTR-2B is a system-generated statement reflecting the input tax credit details in a static manner, that is, it will reflect the details of outward supplies furnished by the supplier between the two due dates, whereas GSTR-2A is a dynamic form that gets updated constantly. Since, both the forms (GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B) are system generated, hence there is no due date and no late fees. From August 2020 onwards[1], now Form GSTR-2B is considered to avail the tax credit in place of Form GSTR-2A.

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[1] Notification No. 82 /2020 – Central Tax, dated Nov 10, 2020