Form GSTR 2A which is a purchase-related dynamic tax return that is automatically generated for every business by the GST portal, and Form GSTR-2B, which is a new static month-wise auto-drafted statement for regular taxpayers (whether or not they opted into the QRMP scheme), which has been introduced on the GST portal. In this article, you will study the difference between GSTR 2A and GSTR 2B.
What are GSTR 2A and 2B?
GSTR 2A
GSTR 2A is a purchase-related dynamic tax return automatically generated by the GST portal for each entity. For example, when a seller submits his GSTR-1, the information is recorded in GSTR 2A. It uses the seller's GSTR-1 to determine what goods and services were bought in a particular month. As a GST-registered buyer, you can use the GSTR-2A for input tax credit details when filing GSTR-3B and GSTR-9.
GSTR 2B
GSTR-2B is a new static, auto-drafted statement sent to regular taxpayers each month (whether or not they have opted into the QRMP program). It is available on the GST portal. Like GSTR-2A, GSTR-2B shows the eligible and ineligible input tax credit (ITC) for each month, but it stays the same or unchanged for a while. In other words, even if their suppliers make changes in consecutive months, accessing the data in a GSTR-2B for a month on the GST (Goods and Service Tax) portal at any time is possible.
Reconciliation of GSTR 2A and 2B
According to the information available right now, the taxpayer did not reconcile the purchase invoices with GSTR 2A and 2B prior to submitting the GSTR 3B Returns. For example, suppose an organization is ineligible for the input tax credit, and there is a discrepancy in the information provided when filing GSTR 3B Returns. In that case, they will need to reconcile their forms GSTR 2A.
What is the Basis of Forms GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B?
Before discussing the difference between GSTR 2A and 2B, one must first comprehend the basics of both forms.
Form GSTR-2A
Form GSTR-2A is a system-generated (auto-populated) return that reflects inward supplies (purchase-related transactions).
GSTR-2A is automatically generated based on the details provided by the supplier, seller, or counterparty vide following returns-
- Form GSTR-1: This is a return that a normal registered person must submit
- Form GSTR-5: Filing of return by a non-resident.
- Form GSTR-6: Filing of return by an input service distributor.
- Form GSTR-7: Filing of return by tax deductor.
- Form GSTR-8: Filing of return by an e-commerce operator liable for tax collection.
It also discusses the specifics of goods' import and inward supply of goods from SEZ developers and units.
Form GSTR-2B is a system-generated (auto-populated) statement that contains information about input tax credits.
On the 12th of each subsequent month, the statement is automatically generated.
Form GSTR-2B is automatically filled based on the following returns furnished by the suppliers/ seller-
- Form GSTR-1;
- Form GSTR-5;
- Form GSTR-6; and
- Import data as received from ICEGATE
Difference Between GSTR 2A and 2B
Conclusion
The GST portal automatically generates a purchase-related dynamic tax return for each business. In addition, the GST portal has introduced Form GSTR-2B, a static monthly auto-drafted statement for regular taxpayers (whether or not they opt into the QRMP program). The GSTR-2A will be determined by the return period for which the invoice was declared, while the GSTR-2B will be determined by the GSTR-1 filing date, not the return period or invoice date.
