The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify substantial updates in the reporting and auto-population processes for GSTR-9 and 9C forms for the fiscal year 2024-25. These updates include new tables for Input Tax Credit (ITC), refined linkage rules, and a system-driven computation of late fees.

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the GSTR-9 and 9C forms are automatically enabled once all GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns for the year are submitted. If any returns are outstanding, the annual return cannot be accessed. Data for several tables will now auto-populate from various sources, with specific changes such as the inclusion of invoices from the current fiscal year in Table 8A, excluding those from previous years.

Significant changes have been made to ITC reporting. Table 6A1 will capture ITC from the previous fiscal year claimed in the current one, while reclaimed ITC under Rule 37/37A is excluded from this table and reported separately. Additionally, Table 8C will only include ITC from the current fiscal year claimed in the next fiscal year, excluding reclaimed ITC.

Other notable changes include the auto-population of Table 8B from Table 6B, the introduction of Table 8H1 for import IGST claimed in the next fiscal year, and the removal of the 65% concessional-rate checkbox. Late fees for filing delays are now automatically computed, with new provisions for capturing payable late fees in GSTR-9C.

Reclaimed ITC is to be reported in the year it is reclaimed, not in the year of the original invoice, ensuring clarity in ITC reporting and compliance.