The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has announced a two-day delay in generating the GSTR-2B statement for the December 2024 tax period, pushing its availability to January 16, 2025. This delay follows an extension of the GSTR-1 filing deadline to January 13, 2025, due to technical challenges on the GST portal.
What is GSTR-2B?
GSTR-2B is an auto-populated document that compiles data uploaded by suppliers in their GSTR-1 forms. It enables buyers to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC), making it crucial for tax compliance. Suppliers’ accurate submission of GSTR-1 directly impacts buyers’ ability to claim ITC.
GSTN’s Advisory
In an advisory dated January 14, 2025, GSTN stated: 
“In light of the extended deadlines for filing GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for December 2024 (Quarter Oct-Dec 2024), the Draft GSTR-2B will now be generated on January 16, 2025. Buyers are advised to use the ‘recompute’ option to regenerate GSTR-2B if any updates occur in the Invoice Management System (IMS) after its generation on or after January 16, 2025.”
When to Use the Recompute Option
Buyers may need to use the recompute option if any invoice changes occur in the IMS after GSTR-2B is generated. Chartered Accountant Deep Koradia explains:
“If invoices are updated, rejected, or kept pending after the generation of GSTR-2B, the buyer should use the recompute feature to update their GSTR-2B. However, this feature allows only downward revisions in ITC claims; new purchases cannot be added.”
Impact of Delays
Delays in GSTR-1 filing trigger ripple effects across the GST compliance framework. GSTR-2B is usually generated on the 14th of every month, giving buyers a six-day window to reconcile data with GSTR-3B filings. With the new deadline, buyers must act quickly to complete this process before the GSTR-3B deadline on January 20, 2025.
Expert Insights
Chartered Accountant Ashish Niraj noted:
“The delay in GSTR-2B generation was anticipated following the GSTR-1 filing extension. Data from GSTR-1 submissions on January 13, 2025, will flow into GSTR-2B on January 16, ensuring buyer synchronization of tax credit data.”
Adding to this, Chartered Accountant Pradeep Reddy stated:
“This delay helps taxpayers reconcile input tax credits more accurately but emphasizes the need to ensure timely use of the IMS portal for updates or revisions.”
Chartered Accountant Hunny Munjal emphasized the importance of ITC alignment under Section 16 of the CGST Act, 2017:
“Delays in GSTR-1 affect GSTR-2B generation, impacting the buyers’ ability to claim ITC. Taxpayers must use tools like the recompute option to ensure compliance and accuracy in credit claims.”
Looking Ahead
Buyers must remain vigilant during this period, utilizing GST portal features to align ITC claims accurately. The delay underscores the interconnected nature of GST filings and highlights the importance of adhering to extended deadlines to avoid complications.
