GSTN simplifies GSTR-3B filing; ITC balance can be seen on return forms

The GST Network today said it has simplified filing of sales return form 3B whereby businesses will now be able to see input tax credit balance on the return forms.

"One area where a few taxpayers were making errors frequently was utilisation of input tax credit (ITC) and computation of balance payment in cash. By improving the user interface and redesigning the process, filing of GSTR-3B has been made considerably convenient," GSTN CEO Prakash Kumar said.

In a statement, the GSTN said that all information required have been placed at one place for the taxpayer filing the return.

The current balance of ITC and Cash registers are shown on the top of the screen, below which tax head-wise liability, suggested best way to utilize ITC and the balance amount to be paid in cash are shown in a single view of a table.

The suggested ITC utilisation can be edited by the taxpayer.Once ITC utilisation is changed, the amount required to be paid automatically gets changed," it said.

Besides, changes have been made in the way challan is to be prepared for making payment in cash. Earlier, the challan had to be manually filled with the amount to be paid in cash.

"Now the challan gets prepared with cash amount required to be paid after taking into account the balance available in cash ledger and suggested utilisation of ITC in the table, with a click of a button," GSTN said.

Earlier some taxpayers used to put tax amount under wrong head while filling up challan manually. The possibility of that error will be completely eliminated with the new system as there are no chances of the payment of tax appearing under the wrong head, it added.

"This is a welcome step towards making the tax filing process more user friendly.It makes the system less rigid and reduces the chances of inadvertent errors," PwC Partner and leader Indirect Taxes Pratik Jain said.

It also indicates that the government intends to continue with monthly Form 3 B returns post March 2018 as well, Jain added.