GSTR 2B is an auto-generated Input Tax Credit Statement (ITC) which has been recently introduced on the GST portal. It is generated on a monthly basis and aims to simplify ITC claims for registered taxpayers. Unlike GSTR 2A, it remains unchanged for a specific period.
This statement is provided to all taxpayers and is auto-populated based on documents (GSTR 1, GSTR 5, and GSTR 6) submitted by their suppliers. It provides a detailed and lucid representation of ITC that is both available or unavailable for each document, such as an invoice furnished by the suppliers.
This is a statement of ITC - taxpayers are not required to file GSTR 2B legally. Hence there is no such thing as GSTR 2B last date.
Following are some of the prominent features of GSTR 2B-
The documents filed by suppliers in their returns will become available in the next GSTR 2B of the recipient without taking into consideration the date of filing. For instance, if a supplier furnishes a document, say INV-03 dated October 15th, 2020, on November 11th, 2020. It will be shown in GSTR 2B of October, which will be auto-generated on November 12th, 2020.
Likewise, if a document is filed on November 12th, 2020, it will reflect in GSTR-2B of November (auto-generated on December 12th, 2020). So, in the case of GSTR 2B, Input Tax Credit can be availed by taxpayers, in the following month.
Input Tax Credit is segregated into two parts- available and not available. The details available in “ITC available” automatically are reflected in GSTR 3B.
ITC might not be available for the taxpayer to claim if it has become void or when IGST has been wrongly charged for the intra-state supply of goods. For example, the place of supply and state of the supplier is the same, but the recipient of the goods is from another state.
GSTR 2B consists of information related to imports provided by units of Special Economic Zones and Customs.
Taxpayers can find a “View Advisory” option in every section of this return. By clicking on this option, they can get clarification regarding the action that needs to be taken in that particular section of this return.
This return comes with many other features to offer more convenience to taxpayers. They can view the same and save it on their devices in both PDF and Excel format. Moreover, apart from an advanced search option, the GST portal also allows taxpayers to sort, filter, and hide data.
Every month, an SMS and an e-mail are sent to the registered taxpayer, informing the generation of this auto-populated statement.
Taxpayers can opt to view supplier-wise details for each month.
GSTR 2B consists of detailed information in relation to supplies. Taxpayers can view or choose to download individual invoices, debit notes, and credit notes.
Taxpayers can view and save this statement on their device via the GST portal by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the GST council.
Step 2: Log in to the GST portal using the following:
Step 3: Navigate to ‘Services’ and then click on the “Returns Dashboard” option under the “Returns” tab.
Step 4: Choose the appropriate tax period.
Step 5: Select the month and year accordingly.
Step 6: Click on GSTR 2B.
Step 7: Click on the “Download” option to download the statement and save it on your system so that it can be accessed when offline.
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Point of Difference |
GSTR 2B |
GSTR 2A |
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Source of all information provided in the return |
The information reflected in the returns is from GSTR 1, GSTR 5, GSTR 6, and ICES. |
All details are taken from ICES, GSTR 7, GSTR 6, GSTR 5, GSTR 1, GSTR 8. |
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Nature |
This statement is static in nature and remains constant throughout the period for which it is generated. |
It is flexible in nature and is subject to constant change as the supplier furnishes each document. |
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Segregation of Input Tax Credit |
There is segregation of ITC in this return. |
There is no classification of Input Tax Credit in case of GSTR 2A. |
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ITC claim |
In this return, the transaction appears in the month of filing GSTR 1 by the supplier. Thus, in this case, ITC is claimed by the recipient in the next month. |
ITC is updated with respect to the month in which the transaction takes place after a supplier files GSTR 1. Thus, ITC can be availed by taxpayers in the particular month during which the transaction was performed. |
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Details represented |
GSTR 2B contains additional information related to the invoices, such as return filing status, ITC eligibility, and more. |
This statement consists of invoice details as per the documents filed by the suppliers. |
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ITC available from units of SEZ |
Details regarding this are made available in this return. |
Details in relation to ITC available from units of SEZ are not available in this return. |
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Availability of data |
All information is made available after the 12th of every month. |
Data is reflected as soon as the suppliers furnish the documents. Hence, it reflects data in real-time. |
The benefits of this auto-populated statement are given below-
It plays a vital role in reducing the time taken to file GSTR 3B and simplifies the overall process.
Reconciliation refers to the maintenance of records for all transactions that took place during a specific period.
With the advent of GSTR 2B, taxpayers can now carry out reconciliation between the details provided in the auto-populated statement and the taxpayer’s books of accounts. Hence, by performing this reconciliation, taxpayers can ensure that the credit is reversed, and no credit has been charged twice.
This statement minimises the possibility of making errors, which results in more accurate details.