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What is GSTR 2A?

GSTR 2A is a purchase-related tax return that is automatically generated for each business by the GST portal.

When a seller files his GSTR-1, the information is captured in GSTR 2A.  

It takes information of goods and/or services which have been purchased in a given month from the seller’s GSTR-1.

You are required to verify (and amend) this return before filing in on GST Portal.

GSTR 2A will be auto-populated from the following returns of the sellers/counterparty-

Return	Filed by
GSTR 1	Regular registered seller
GSTR-5	Non-resident
GSTR 6	Input Service Distributor
GSTR 7	Person liable to deduct TDS
GSTR 8	Ecommerce

How is GSTR 2A different from GSTR-2?

GSTR 2A is an auto-generated read only document which is for information purpose only.

GSTR-2 is an official return which must be filed and it will have the same information as GSTR-2A. But GSTR-2 can be edited.

How to file GSTR-2A?

You don’t have to file GSTR-2A.

GSTR-2A is a read only document with a list of all of the invoices from the various sellers during the month. You can also download a copy of it.

How can I correct my seller’s mistakes in GSTR-2A?

GSTR-2A is a read only document. All corrections must be done in GSTR-2.

What happens if my seller delays in filing GSTR-1?

If you file your GSTR-2 before your seller files his GSTR-1 then the information will be auto-populated in the next month.

You will be required to manually fill up all GSTR-2 details and file it.

For example, your seller delays in filing his GSTR-1 return of Sep and files it after due date on 17th Oct. You manually fill your Sep GSTR-2 return and file within 15th Oct. The information from his GSTR-1 will appear in your GSTR-2A of Oct.

Comparison between GSTR – 2A and GSTR – 3B

Form GSTR – 3B is a monthly summary return filed by the taxpayer by the 20th of the next month. Taxpayers are allowed to take the input tax credit (ITC) based on the details declared by the taxpayer in Table 4 of Form GSTR – 3B:

4. Eligible ITC

Details	Integrated tax	Central tax	State/ UT tax	Cess
A) ITC available
B) ITC reversed
C) Net ITC available [A-B]
D) INELIGIBLE ITC

GSTR – 2A is an auto-populated form generated in the recipient’s login, covering all the outward supplies (Form GSTR – 1) declared by his suppliers.

Matching GSTR – 3B and GSTR – 2A:

When the supplier files GSTR – 1 in any particular month disclosing his sales, the corresponding details are captured in GSTR – 2A of the recipient.  

While the filing of Form GSTR – 2 has been kept in abeyance, it is still important under the GST framework for the taxpayers to reconcile the ITC claimed in Form GSTR – 3B and Form GSTR – 2A.

GSTR – 3B is a summary return. Hence, the amount of ITC available as disclosed in Table 4(a) must match with tax details disclosed in Form GSTR – 2A.  

It is important to reconcile Form GSTR – 3B and Form GSTR – 2A on account of the following reasons:

• GST authorities have issued notices to a large number of taxpayers asking them to reconcile the ITC claimed in a self-declared summary return Form GSTR – 3B and auto-generated Form GSTR – 2A. Such notices are issued in Form GST ASMT – 10.  The taxpayer would be required to reply to such notices or pay the differential amount.
• Action has also been taken against evaders claiming ITC on basis of fake invoices.  
• Reconciliation ensures that credit is being claimed only in respect of the tax which has been actually paid to the supplier.
• Ensures that no invoices have been missed/ recorded more than once etc.  
• In case the supplier has not recorded the outward supplies in Form GSTR – 1, communication can be sent out to the supplier to ensure that the discrepancies are corrected.
• Errors committed while reporting details in GSTR-1 by suppliers or GSTR-3B by recipients can be rectified.

Reasons for non-reconciliation of GSTR – 2A and GSTR – 3B:

The details disclosed in Form GSTR – 2A and Form GSTR – 3B may not reconcile on account of the following reasons:

• Credit of IGST claimed on the import of goods
• Credit of IGST on the import of services
• Credit of GST paid on reverse charge mechanism etc.
• Transitional credit claimed in TRAN – I and TRAN – II.  
• ITC for goods and services received in FY 2017 – 18 but availed in FY 2018 – 19.

In the cases mentioned above, the figures will not reconcile as no corresponding Form GSTR – 1 is being filed by the supplier or the ITC is being claimed at a later date.

Discrepancies in GSTR – 2A and GSTR – 3B:

After considering the situations mentioned above, if any discrepancies are found in Form GSTR – 1 and GSTR -3B leading to any excess ITC claimed by the recipient, the same must be paid by the taxpayer along with interest.

It is, therefore, necessary that this reconcile exercise is done on a regular basis to ensure that only bonafide input tax credit is claimed.   

Reconciliation at the time of filing of Annual return:

Even at the time of filing an Annual return in Form GSTR – 9, reconciliation of ITC as per GSTR – 3B and GSTR – 2A is required to be done in Table 6 and Table 8.   

Details of GSTR-2A

There are 7 headings in GSTR-2A format prescribed by the government.  

We have explained each heading along with the details required to be reported under GSTR-2A.

1. GSTIN – GSTIN of the dealer will reflect here.

2. Name of the Taxpayer – Name of the taxpayer including legal and trade name

Month, Year – The relevant month and year for which GSTR 2A is being filed will be mentioned here.

PART A

3. Inward supplies received from a registered person other than the supplies attracting reverse charge

Most of the purchases from the sellers will be auto-populated here from GSTR-1 filed by the seller. It will have details such as type, rate and amount of GST, eligible ITC and amount of ITC.

However, it will not contain purchases under reverse charge.

4. Inward supplies received from a registered person on which tax is to be paid on reverse charge

This will contain all purchases and supplies received (from both taxable and non-taxable persons) for which you will have to GST under reverse charge.

5. Debit / Credit notes (including amendments thereof) received during current tax period

This will capture the details of debit notes and credit notes issued by your sellers during the month. It will also include any changes made to them by comparing the revised documents with the original documents.

Part B

6. ISD credit (including amendments thereof) received

If you are a branch, then the data under this section will be auto-populated whenever your head office files the GSTR-6 return for the month. 

PART C

7. TDS and TCS Credit (including amendments thereof) received

TDS Credit Received – This section will only be applicable in case you engage in specified contracts with specified persons (usually government bodies).

The receiver (government) will deduct a certain percentage of transaction value as Tax Deduction at Source.

All information will get auto-populated here from GSTR-7 filed by the deductor.

TCS Credit Received – This heading is applicable for only online sellers registered with e-commerce operator.

E-commerce operator is required to collect tax at source at the time of making payment to such sellers.

This information will again be auto-populated from GSTR-8 of e-commerce operator.

Note: This GSTR-2A is an auto-generated read only document. It cannot be filed and so there is no need for any declaration at the end of the document.

To know more about the different types of returns, deadlines and the frequency of filing, read our article on GST Returns.

File your GSTR-2 Returns using the ClearTax GST Software.