Understanding Electronic Ledgers in GST: Cash, Credit, and Liability
Electronic ledgers are fundamental digital passbooks for GST taxpayers, categorizing transactions into Cash, Credit, and Liability ledgers. The Electronic Cash Ledger records cash payments, the Electronic Credit Ledger manages Input Tax Credit for tax-only settlements, and the Electronic Liability Ledger tracks total GST obligations and their settlement. A clear understanding of these ledgers is crucial for accurate GST compliance.
Understanding Electronic Ledgers in GST: Cash, Credit, and Liability
Electronic ledgers, functioning like a digital passbook, are accessible to all registered individuals on the GST portal. These ledgers record crucial details, including the cash amount of GST paid to the government, the available Input Tax Credit (ITC) balance, and how GST liabilities are offset, along with any remaining obligations. A deeper exploration of these three electronic ledgers follows.
What is an Electronic Cash Ledger?
The Electronic Cash Ledger (ECL) functions as an e-wallet. Any GST payment made via cash or bank transaction is recorded here. After accounting for Input Tax Credit (ITC), any remaining tax obligation must be settled using the balance in the ECL. For instance, if an individual has a GST liability of Rs 50,000 on sales and an ITC of Rs 35,000 on purchases, with a zero ECL balance, the net GST liability is Rs 15,000. This amount must be paid through cash or bank deposit. Once deposited, the Rs 15,000 appears in the ECL and is subsequently used to fulfill the GST payment. The balance in the ECL is utilized for GST liability payments, reflecting on the GST Portal during the offsetting process.
| Particulars | Amount |
|---|---|
| GST on Sales | 50,000 |
| Input Tax Credit (ITC) | 35,000 |
| GST Liability to be Paid | 15,000 |
What is an Electronic Credit Ledger?
The Electronic Credit Ledger holds all eligible Input Tax Credit (ITC) claimed by a registered dealer in their GST returns (such as GSTR-2B or GSTR-3B). This credit is strictly for tax payments and cannot be used for interest, penalties, or late fees, which must be paid via cash. Specific rules govern the utilization of ITC (IGST, CGST, SGST) against GST liabilities:
- IGST credit can offset any tax liability in the order of IGST, then CGST, or SGST/UTGST.
- CGST credit cannot be used for SGST payment; it offsets CGST first, then IGST.
- SGST/UTGST credit cannot be used for CGST payment; it offsets SGST/UTGST first, then IGST.
Consider the previous example where Mr. A has an ITC of Rs 35,000, broken down as IGST Rs 18,000, CGST Rs 7,000, and SGST Rs 10,000. If the IGST liability is Rs 30,000, the Rs 18,000 IGST credit will fully be used, with the remaining Rs 12,000 IGST paid in cash and reflected in the Electronic Cash Ledger. For CGST, the Rs 7,000 credit will offset a Rs 10,000 liability, requiring an additional Rs 3,000 CGST payment. If SGST payable equals the available SGST credit, Mr. A will not need to pay any SGST.
What is the Electronic Liability Ledger?
The Electronic Liability Ledger details a taxpayer's total GST obligations and the payment methods used, whether by cash or credit. Referring to the earlier example, this ledger illustrates how GST liabilities are settled. A fundamental comprehension of these e-ledgers is essential, and they can be accessed via the GST portal.