What is GSTR-2A and How to File GSTR-2A Return?

GSTR-2A is an auto-generated statement of a company’s purchases sourced from the details furnished by its suppliers in a month. A dynamic statement keeps getting updated on the GST portal as suppliers upload the invoices for a month at a later period.

GSTR-2A is one of the most important documents for a company to file a Goods & Services Tax (GST) return. It is an auto-generated form on the GST portal that lists all the purchases made by a company within a month. The comprehensive information regarding all the purchases in GSTR-2A make it easier for an entity to file the GST return. This blog details everything you need to know about the GSTR-2A, how to file it, and things you need to keep in mind when doing so. 

What is GSTR-2A?

A purchase-related document, the GSTR-2A, is automatically generated by the GST portal for each company registered. GSTR-2A means a list of all the purchases made by an entity in a month, detailing the Input Tax Credit (ITC) for that period. It is automatically updated once a business’s seller uploads the GSTR-1 and 5 forms. 

Since it is an auto-generated form, it cannot be modified by anyone. It is only updated based on the GSTR-1 and 5 forms uploaded by a company’s sellers. 

The document helps a business keep track of the invoice details of its sellers. But the business should make sure to verify this form and correct its discrepancies before it files the return as GSTR-2 on the GST portal.  

How to File GSTR-2A?

The GSTR-2A in GST form is auto-populated based on invoices submitted by a company’s suppliers. Thus, there is no need for anyone to physically file it. However, a business needs to accept or defer its acceptance if it notices any discrepancy in an invoice submitted by its supplier.

Also Read: What Is Input Tax Credit (ITC) In GST? Eligibility And Documents Required To Claim ITC

How to View GSTR-2A?

Follow these steps to view GSTR-2A:

Step 1

Visit the GST portal (https://www.gst.gov.in/) and login using your credentials.

Step 2

Click on the ‘Services > Returns > Returns Dashboard’ tab.

Step 3

Once the Returns dashboard appears, choose the Financial Year and Return Filing Period and click the Search button.

Step 4

Click on the GSTR-2A button. It then displays the auto-drafted GSTR-2A details.

How to Download Form GSTR-2A?

Refer to these steps to download the form:

Step 1

Visit the GST portal (https://www.gst.gov.in/) and login using your credentials.

Step 2

Click on the ‘Services > Returns > Returns Dashboard’ tab.

Step 3

Once the Returns dashboard appears, choose the Financial Year and Return Filing Period and click the Search button.

Step 4

Click on the Download button under GSTR-2A. It then displays the auto-drafted GSTR-2A download details.

Step 5

It allows you to download it in either Excel or JSON format.

Step 6

The file can be opened only in the Returns Offline tool available on the GST portal. You need to install the tool beforehand to view the file.  

GSTR-2A Due Date

As GSTR-2A is an auto-generated statement, it has no due date. As already clarified above, it doesn’t have to be filed. But a company must ensure that if it finds any discrepancy owing to an invoice, it should get it corrected between the 11th and 15th of a month following the month for which it has been submitted.

What is the Relationship Between GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B in GST?

While GSTR-2A is an auto-generated document mentioning all the purchases made by a company in a month and how much ITC it can claim, GSTR-3B is a self-declaration of returns mentioning the ITC a business can claim for a month. 

Let us better understand the whole cycle of actions to understand the relationship between GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B. 

When a supplier files the GSTR-1 detailing its sales in a month, it gets updated in the GSTR-2A form of the (purchasing) company. When the company submits the self-declared GSTR-3B, it should ensure that it carries out the GSTR-2A reconciliation so that ITC is not claimed over and above the eligibility and no business can evade taxes. 

How is GSTR-2A Different from GSTR-2B?

Though both the GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B statements are auto-generated and list the ITC for a company every month, there are some crucial differences between the two:

• GSTR-2A is dynamic as it keeps getting updated as and when the supplier uploads an invoice. GSTR-2B, on the other hand, is static as it cannot get updated when a supplier uploads an invoice in later months.
• The GSTR-2A statement for a month can be viewed anytime as it keeps getting updated. However, the GSTR-2B statement for a month is available for viewing only on and after the 14th of the next month.
• It is difficult to ascertain in GSTR-2A whether all the credits for the month have been included as many times, suppliers file their details much later. GSTR-2B helps identify the non-compliant suppliers as it doesn’t change due to later updates by the suppliers.
• GSTR-2B has an advisory against each section on what action a taxpayer needs to take in the GSTR-3B. GSTR-2A doesn’t provide this convenience.
• GSTR-2A sources its details from GSTR-1, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, and GSTR-8. GSTR-2B sources its details from GSTR-1, GSTR-5, and GSTR-6.

Also Read: Know The GST Rates And SAC Codes Of Different Services

Comparison Between GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B

GSTR-2A is an auto-populated form that details all the purchases a company makes in a month and how much ITC it can claim for that month. On the other hand, the GSTR-3B is a self-declared return summarising the ITC a business should receive for a month. The GSTR-2A statement, in tandem with the GSTR-3B return, helps file the GST return. 

Final Word

GSTR-2A helps a business manage its purchase and ITC details monthly. While a business files its GSTR-3B self-declaration, this document proves to be critical in that it helps you reconcile your ITC claims. In this way, GSTR-2A means a crucial document that ensures that no business can claim ineligible ITC or evade taxes.

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