What to do if you Have Missing Invoices in Your GSTR 1?

The implementation of GST was diverse and complex in nature. This is also why it was deemed adequate to replace all pre-existing taxation policies. However, it also came with certain complexities, like GST return filing.

There are numerous forms to be submitted when filing for a GST return claim. One of the most commonly used forms is GSTR-1. It involves submitting a range of invoices but is also prone to human errors like GSTR-1 missing invoices.

If you missed some invoices while filing your GSTR-1 form, read the article below till the end. It will provide you with an adequate solution to the discrepancies in your form. But first, let’s start by understanding what a GSTR-1 is.

What are GSTR 1?

GSTR-1 is a crucial return under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India. It is a monthly or quarterly return that must be filed by every registered GST taxpayer, with the exception of certain categories outlined in the GST regulations.

The primary purpose of GSTR-1 is to provide details of all outward supplies. This return is essential for maintaining transparency in the GST system and enables the government to assess tax liabilities.

GSTR-1 consists of the following sections, each focusing on different aspects of outward supplies. Below is a detailed explanation of each section:

• Table 1: GSTIN of the taxpayer

• Table 2: Legal and trade names of the taxpayer

• Table 3: Aggregate turnover in the previous financial year.

• Table 4: Details of taxable supplies made to registered persons, excluding zero-rated supplies and deemed exports.

• Table 5: Information on taxable outward inter-state supplies to unregistered persons with an invoice value exceeding ₹2.5 lakh.

• Table 6: Reporting of zero-rated supplies and deemed exports made during the tax period.

• Table 7: Details of taxable supplies to unregistered persons, excluding those covered in Table 5, and net of debit notes and credit notes.

• Table 8: Information on supplies that are nil-rated, exempted, or non-GST in nature.

• Table 9: Amendments to taxable outward supplies reported in earlier GSTR-1 returns, including adjustments, debit notes, credit notes, and refund vouchers.

• Table 10: Reporting of debit notes and credit notes issued to unregistered persons.

• Table 11: Information on advances received during the current tax period, adjustments made, and amendments to earlier reported details.

• Table 12: Summary of outward supplies categorized based on Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes.

• Table 13: Details of documents, such as invoices, issued during the tax period.

• Table 14: Reporting sales made through e-commerce operators, indicating the liability of the e-commerce operator to collect Tax Collected at Source (TCS) or pay tax under relevant sections.

• Table 14A: Amendments to the details provided in Table 14.

• Table 15: Reporting sales made through e-commerce operators, distinguishing between Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Customer (B2C) transactions, with the obligation of the e-commerce operator to deposit TCS under section 9(5) of the CGST Act.

• Table 15A: Amendments to the details provided in Table 15 for sales to GST-registered persons.

• Table 15A II: Amendments to the details provided in Table 15 for sales to unregistered persons.

Also Read: GSTR 1 Details: Everything You Need to Know

Why is GSTR1 Important?

GSTR-1 holds significant importance in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, serving as a comprehensive record of a taxpayer’s outward supplies. Its importance lies in various aspects that contribute to effective compliance and transparency in the taxation system.

1. Real-Time Status Monitoring

GSTR-1 provides real-time status of all filed returns for a specific GST Identification Number (GSTIN). This feature allows users to stay promptly informed about the current status of their tax obligations.

2. Cross-GSTIN and Branch Comparison

Users can utilise GSTR-1 to compare data across multiple GSTINs and branches. This feature is very useful for firms with a wide range of operations, enabling a holistic view of their tax compliance across various entities and locations.

3. Compliance Tracking and GST Notices Prevention

GSTR-1 serves as a vital tool for taxpayers to track their compliance with GST regulations. Businesses can minimise the risk of receiving notices from the tax department by regularly monitoring and filing accurate returns, ensuring an error-free tax filing process.

4. Facilitation of Stakeholder Communication

The detailed information provided in GSTR-1 allows businesses to communicate effectively with stakeholders, including vendors, customers, and financial institutions. Transparent reporting enhances credibility and fosters trust among business partners.

5. Audit Preparedness

Regularly filing GSTR-1 contributes to audit preparedness. In the event of a tax audit, having accurate and up-to-date records in the GSTR-1 can streamline the process, reduce the likelihood of discrepancies, and demonstrate a commitment to compliance.

6. Avoidance of Penalties and Interest

Timely and accurate filing of GSTR-1 helps businesses avoid penalties and interest charges imposed for non-compliance or delayed filing. By meeting regulatory deadlines, taxpayers can maintain financial discipline and minimise the financial impact of non-compliance.

Also Read: Overview and Purpose of GSTR-1

What do you do if you Have Missing Invoices in Your GSTR-1?

If you discover that you have forgotten or missed uploading certain invoices in your GSTR-1 filing, it is critical to solve this issue as soon as possible. Unlike some other tax return processes, there is no provision for revising a submitted GSTR-1 under the GST return system. In such cases, the missed invoices should be considered in the upcoming filing of GSTR-1.

It is crucial to note that the actual determination of tax liability and payment is currently based on the information filed in GSTR-3B. If you have missed invoices in GSTR-1, you can still consider them while filing GSTR-3B.

However, suppose these invoices were also inadvertently omitted in the GSTR-3B filing. In that case, it becomes critical to include them in the subsequent filing of GSTR-3B. This ensures accurate reporting of tax liability and maintaining compliance with GST regulations.

What is the Impact of Missing Invoices on Business?

GSTR 1 Missing invoices can be more than just misplaced paperwork. They can have a substantial impact on various aspects of your business. Here’s a breakdown of the key consequences:

1. Reduced Cash Flow

Missing invoices delay customer payments, disrupt your cash flow and hinder your ability to cover operational expenses, pay employees, or invest in growth. This can snowball into late payments to suppliers, further straining your financial health.

2. Tax Liabilities and Penalties

GSTR 1 Missing invoices can lead to inaccurate reporting of sales and purchases, potentially raising red flags during tax audits. Discrepancies between reported data and actual transactions can result in fines, interest charges, and even legal action.

3. Inventory Management Issues

Without accurate invoice records, tracking inventory levels becomes challenging. This can lead to stockouts and missed sales opportunities.

4. Operational Inefficiencies

Time and resources spent reconciling discrepancies, correcting missing invoices, and dealing with tax authorities are diverted from core business activities, impacting productivity and efficiency.

5. Damaged Reputation

Failure to issue or report invoices accurately can damage your reputation for professionalism and reliability. This can erode trust with customers, suppliers, and potential investors, hindering business relationships and growth.

6. Reduced Input Tax Credit (ITC) Claims

Missing invoices prevent you from claiming ITC on the corresponding purchases, increasing your tax burden and reducing profit margins. This is especially harmful for enterprises that rely substantially on ITC advantages.

What are the Best Practices for GSTR 1 Filing?

For companies to comply with GST requirements and prevent mistakes, efficient and correct GSTR-1 filing is critical. To ensure a smooth filing process, here are some best practices to follow for preventing missing invoices GSTR 1:

1. Clear Data Preparation

Before using the GSTR-1 Excel template, it is advisable to delete all sample data from all worksheets. This ensures a clean slate for entering accurate and relevant details for outward supplies.

2. Prudent Data Management in the Offline Tool

Prior to importing an Excel file into the offline tool for a specific tax period, users should delete any existing data for that period by using the “Delete All Data” tab in the Offline Tool. This helps avoid data duplication and ensures that only the latest and most accurate information is included.

3. Caution When Importing Previously Imported Data

If there is a need to import previously imported data into the tool, users should be cautious. The tool will issue a warning, and the latest imported values will replace previous data if the invoice number is the same.

4. Structured Entry for Multi-Rate Invoices

When dealing with multiple line items of different rates in a single invoice, it is recommended to enter invoice details with multiple rates in consecutive rows in Excel. This structured approach facilitates accurate reporting and reduces the risk of errors.

6. Ensure the Correct Date Format

To facilitate the declaration of dates in the specified format “dd-mm-yyyy,” it is essential to ensure that the system date format of the computer is “dd/mm/yyyy.” The offline tool may reject invoices if the date format is different.

7. Avoid Duplicate Entry of HSN-UQC and Incorrect GSTIN

To prevent errors during filing, users should avoid entering duplicate HSN-UQC in the HSN Summary table. Additionally, caution should be exercised to enter correct and valid GSTINs, as the GST portal will throw an error for invalid GSTINs.

8. Proper Handling of Credit/Debit/Refund Vouchers

In the case of credit/debit/refund vouchers, it is crucial to provide accurate and valid details for the original invoice number and date. These details should be correctly declared in the same return or an earlier return to avoid errors during the filing process.

9. Consistency in Invoice Numbering

It is important to maintain consistency in invoice numbering. Avoid entering duplicate invoice numbers of the same financial year already uploaded in an earlier filed return in different sections to prevent duplicate errors on the GST portal.

Also Read: GSTR 1 Due Date And Filling Frequency: Everything You Need To Know

Conclusion

GSTR-1 must be handled correctly for firms to comprehend Goods and Services Tax. The ‘Monthly GSTR-1 Filed Report’ is a valuable resource that provides real-time insights and a thorough overview of external supplies.

Businesses may assure accuracy in their tax filings and maintain a proactive approach to compliance by meticulously adhering to best practices. GSTR-1 is important for reasons other than normal reporting.

It is the first step towards good communication with stakeholders, the avoidance of tax notifications, and the building of a culture dedicated to 100% compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. How do I Rectify Mistakes in GSTR1 After Submission?

To rectify or amend GSTR-1, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the GST portal using your credentials.

2. Navigate to the ‘Return Dashboard’ tab and choose ‘Prepare Online.’

3. Select ‘Amendment of Return’ and specify the financial year and month for the return that requires modification.

Q2. Can we Modify GSTR 1 After Submitting it?

Yes, you can amend a filed GSTR-1 for a specific tax period by declaring the revised details in the subsequent return, allowing for corrections and updates as per GST regulations.

Q3. What is the Penalty for the Wrong Filing of GSTR1?

The daily late fee for non-filing is ₹200, capped at a maximum of ₹5,000. IGST incurs no late fee. Sections 73 & 74 govern demand and recovery provisions.

Q4. Can we Amend the GSTR 1 Invoice?

When amending GSTR-1 invoices, it’s important to note that you can amend each invoice individually, and details at the summary level can also be modified. However, each amendment type has its specific limitations. Careful attention is crucial to avoid errors during the GSTR-1 filing process.

Q5. Can we Amend GSTR 1 Twice?

Amendment in the GST Return Form involves rectifying or correcting existing records/entries. Each record can be amended only once and not twice. Amendments are allowed only after the previous return has been filed; they cannot be made for the current month.

Q6. What is the Time Limit for Invoice Amendment in GSTR-1?

It’s crucial to note that while the legal deadline for amendments is November 30, 2022, to initiate any amendment, taxpayers must file either GSTR-1 (for modifications in previously issued invoices) or GSTR-3B (for adjustments in previously claimed Input Tax Credit).

Q7. What is the Time Limit for the GST Amendment?

For GST registration amendments, changes must be filed within 15 days from the date of the change to ensure timely compliance with Goods and Services Tax regulations.

Q8. How is the GSTR 1 Late fee Calculated?

Late fees amount to ₹50 per day for the default period. If there are no sales in a month, a reduced late fee of ₹20 per day is applicable.

Q9. How do I Cancel an old Invoice on GSTR 1?

According to the provisions and rules under the Goods and Services Tax Act 2017, once GSTR-1 has been filed, invoices cannot be deleted. The only available option is to issue a credit note for the full amount against the invoice you wish to cancel.

Q10. What is the GST Amendment Bill 2023?

The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposes to increase the age limits for the President and members of the GSTAT to 70 and 67 years, respectively, up from the earlier 67 and 65 years. Additionally, the Bill aligns the Central GST Act with the Tribunal Reforms Act of 2021.