GST WEEKLY UPDATE : 15/2023-24 (09.07.2023) By CA Vipul Khandhar

-By CA Vipul Khandhar, Ahmedabad

1. Geocoding Functionality Now Live for All States and Union Territories:

GSTN is pleased to inform that the functionality for geocoding the principal place of business address is now live for all States and Union territories. This feature, which converts an address or description of a location into geographic coordinates, has been introduced to ensure the accuracy of address details in GSTN records and streamline the address location and verification process.

GSTN has successfully geocoded more than 1.8 crore addresses of principal places of business. Furthermore, all new addresses post-March 2022 are geocoded at the time of registration itself, ensuring the accuracy and standardization of address data from the outset.

Here’s how taxpayers can access and use this functionality:

1.   Accessing the Functionality: You can find this functionality under the Services/Registration tab in the FO portal.
2.   Using the Functionality: The system-generated geocoded address will be displayed, and you can either accept it or update it as per your requirements. In cases where the system-generated geocoded address is unavailable, a blank will be displayed, and you can directly update the geocoded address.
3.   Viewing the Geocoded Address: The geocoded address details will be saved separately under the “Place of Business” tab on the portal. They can be viewed under My profile>>Place of Business tab under the heading “Principal Geocoded” after logging into the portal. Please note that this will not change your existing addresses.
4.   One-time Activity: The geocoding link will not be visible on the portal once the geocoding details are submitted by you. This is a one-time activity, and once submitted, revision in the address is not allowed. The functionality will not be visible to the taxpayers who have already geocoded their address through new registration or core amendment. Please note that the address appearing on the registration certificate can be changed only through the core amendment process. This geocoding functionality would not impact the previously saved address record.
5.   Availability: This functionality is available for normal, composition, SEZ units, SEZ developers, ISD, and casual taxpayers who are active, cancelled, and suspended.

2   “GSTN” enabled the new facility to withdraw the refund application introduced for Taxpayers, in case there are errors in the refund application:

1. Withdraw the Refund Application in case you have made a mistake while filing
2. Fill out a simple Form RFD-01W to withdraw
3. File the Corrected Refund Application immediately for quicker processing

Can be withdrawn up to the stage of acknowledgement of application in Form RFD-02

3. Information & material in possession of ED will share with GSTN: Amendment to Notification: Addition of Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) under Prevention of Money-laundering Act:

(Notification F. No. P.12011/2/2009-ES Cell-DOR dated July 07, 2023)

·         Govt has made an amendment to the notification under the Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002 (“the PML Act”). The amendment introduces a new entry for the Goods and Services Tax Network (“GSTN”).

• The inclusion of GSTN under the PML Act will now facilitate sharing of information or material in possession of the Enforcement Directorate (“ED”) with GSTN if they have reasons to believe that the provisions of the GST have been contravened.

4. Interest Payable on Late Payment of Tax and Wrongly Availed ITC Notification No. 14/2022 dated July 05, 2022: 

• The CBIC clarifies that taxpayers are liable to pay interest only if they utilized the wrongly availed Input Tax Credit (“ITC”) for the payment of GST liability. They announce a retrospective relief measure for taxpayers in this regard. 

• Furthermore, the CBIC informs about the reduction in the interest rate on wrongly availed and utilized ITC from 24% to 18% effective from July 1, 2017. 

5. CBIC waives filing of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for turnover up to 2 crores and 5 crores (tweet CBIC):

The “CBIC” has announced that it has waived the filing of annual returns through Form GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for turnover up to 2 crores and 5 crores respectively.

6. GSTN introduces new feature in the “Search Taxpayer” option to provide users with access to a list of “ADDITIONAL PLACES OF BUSINESS.”:

• The GST portal has introduced a new feature in the search taxpayer option, allowing users to access a list of “ADDITIONAL PLACES OF BUSINESS” in addition to the principal place of business. This update is particularly beneficial for verifying whether the customer’s billing address and place of delivery are registered before initiating the movement of goods. It helps prevent goods detention due to delivery at an unregistered address.

• Previously, only the principal place of business was available for viewing, requiring verification of additional places of business through the registration certificate. The addition of this feature is a welcome improvement. However, please note that this data is only accessible when verifying “search taxpayer” AFTER LOGGING INTO THE PORTAL and is not available publicly without login credentials.

7. E invoice NEW FAQS:

• Whether e-Invoice is required for Export of Services?

Yes, if you are eligible for e-Invoicing, all the invoices of B2B and Exports need to be registered.

• Is there any time limit for delivery of goods or generation of e-waybill in e-Invoice?

No, there is no time limit for delivery of goods or generation of e-waybill for the e-Invoice.

• Do you need to upload RCM Invoices also?

Yes, if you are eligible for e-Invoicing, all the invoices including RCM invoices issued by the Supplier need to be registered.

• When billing address is in one state and shipping address is in another state, which GST will apply – IGST or CGST/SGST?

Type of GST (whether IGST or CGSTS/SGST) is determined by POS (Place of Supply). If the Supplier state is same as POS, then it is CGSTS/SGST else IGST for B2B transactions.

• How to generate E-invoice for Services?

The e-Invoice for services may be generated like any other invoice, by mentioning related SAC code and the total price in unit rate and the quantity may be mentioned as one.

• In how many days can we generate e-Invoice after preparing manual invoice and e-Waybill?

Ideally, the e-invoice must be generated after preparing the manual invoice and before issuing it to the customer. The system presently allows to register invoices for the previous periods also.

• How to include freight charges in E invoice?

Freight charges may be entered as line items in case there is a GST component or else they may be entered under ‘Other charges’.

• Whether E-Waybill is mandatory for service invoices?

No, it is not required. e-Waybill is required only if at least one of the items in the invoice has Goods and the value of invoice exceeds Rs 50 thousand.

• Whether Shipping bill number and date can be entered in e-Invoice?

Yes, they can be entered. Please refer the schema of the invoice at https://einv-apisandbox.nic.in/version1.03/generate-irn.html#JSONSchema for more details.

• Is there any time limit to prepare a credit note against E-invoice?

No, there is no time limit to prepare the credit notes or debit notes against the e-Invoice.

• Whether shipping bill number is mandatory while preparing E- Invoice?

No, shipping bill number or date is not mandatory for preparing e-invoice.

• I have crossed the notified Turnover in the current year, do I need to upload my invoices?

No, e-Invoice is applicable only if the notified turnover is crossed in the previous years.

• Can the regular invoice be maintained along with portal generated invoice? Instead of sending the portal generated invoice can we send the regular format to customer.

Invoice sent to the customer must contain the IRN number and the QR Code. Along with this you may send the regular invoice also.

• How do I upload invoices, in case I do not have ERP system?

The e-invoice portal https://gepp.einvoice1.gst.gov.in helps the suppliers in registering the invoices without the necessity for ERP system. This is a browser based and user friendly portal by which the e-invoices can be generated. The application may also be downloaded on to the mobile.

• Is e-Invoicing applicable if my customers are of SEZ type?

Yes, its applicable. If the customer is of type SEZ, then e-Invoice may be generated using transaction type as SEZWP / SEZWOP by the Supplier.

• In how many days can we generate e-Invoice after making the invoice and e-waybill?

Ideally, e-invoice must be generated after making the manual invoice and before issuing the invoice to the customer. Presently, system allows for the invoices to be registered for previous period also.

• If we miss to upload the invoices, then what is the solution?

Presently, system allows for the invoices to be registered for previous period. So, if you have missed uploading, then you may still generate e-Invoice for the previous period invoices.

• Do we need to upload the Digital signature on E- Invoice portal?

No, supplier cannot upload the digitally signed invoice to the portal. The e-invoice system will digitally sign the e-invoice details uploaded to the portal and return the signed invoice and QR code to the Supplier.

• Where do I print the QR Code, IRN and Acknowledgement number on the e-Invoice?

There is no specific place for printing the QR Code, IRN and Acknowledgement number on the invoice. However, they should be visible and in case of QR code, it should be possible to scan it.

• How should I generate e-Waybill for carrying goods through train?

e-waybills may be generated for all the modes of travel such as Road, Train, Air and Ship. In case of train, you may enter the railway receipt number and date instead of vehicle number.

• I’m unable to enter slash ‘/’ in the document number, what should I do?

Document number in e-Invoice should not be starting with 0, / and -. You should pass the document number without such characters.

• Whether manual invoice with USD/EURO Currency and E-Invoice with INR be used? (Or) Can we upload export invoice details with foreign currency?

All invoices to be registered on the portal should contain the values in INR, however there are some optional fields in the schema in which the foreign currency may be included.

Disclaimer:

This publication contains information for general guidance only. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although the best of endeavour has been made to provide the provisions in a simpler and accurate form, there is no substitute to detailed research with regard to the specific situation of a particular individual or entity. We do not accept any responsibility for loss incurred by any person for acting or refraining to act as a result of any matter in this publication.

THANKING YOU.