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Published on:
March 21, 2023
By
Harshini

Implementation of Mandatory Mentioning of HSN Codes in GSTR-1

The Harmonized System of Nomenclature outlines a structured vocabulary for categorizing items and services for fiscal purposes. According to legislation governing Goods and Services Tax in India, all registered enterprises must disclose HSN codes in submitted returns. GSTR-1 is a monthly or quarterly declaration containing information about all outward provisions conducted by an organization, such as items sold and shipped overseas. Registered entities under GST legislation in the nation are expected to submit this return, which provides particulars for any supplies made beyond the business, like sales and exports made during the reporting timeframe. 

While the administration has made it obligatory to state the HSN codes for goods and offerings in the GSTR-1 go back with impact from April 1, 2021, for taxpayers with an annual turnover of greater than Rs. five crore in the preceding economic yr, this provision turned into smooth for taxpayers with an annual turnover of as much as Rs. 5 crore in the preceding economic yr from July 1, 2021. The HSN code serves to classify items and offerings for taxation functions, permitting the government to conduct a proper analysis of the tax base and reduce tax evasion whilst additionally enhancing the overall performance of the GST device. 

Taxpayers can offer you descriptive main points of goods and offerings supplied, which enables the government to hold out a greater analysis of the tax foundation and to lessen tax evasion. Moreover, the inclusion of HSN codes allows for transparency in tax collections and allows audit trails to be developed with the aid of regulators. Though compliance has increased overall, some main concerns remain for smaller agencies grappling with changing requirements.

It is crucial that taxpayers carefully declare the suitable HSN code correlated to the goods and services supplied in their GSTR-1 return. Failing to strictly comply with this prerequisite could result in expenses or extra interest charges.

According to GST legislation, the HSN code must be entered in the GSTR-1 return for all business distributions of goods and services. Some pivotal facts to remember concerning the execution of HSN codes in GSTR-1 are as follows:

1. Taxpayers with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 5 crore must mention a six-digit HSN code in their GSTR-1 return. Those with a higher annual turnover, surpassing Rs. 5 crore, necessitate an eight-digit HSN code. Suppliers should pay close attention to these HSN code specifications and fulfill the accurate digit amount reliant on their particular business volume. Correctly following the HSN code policy is essential for remaining by GST procedures.

2. When providing services, the Service Accounting Code (SAC) is applied instead of HSN codes. The SAC functions similarly to the HSN code system for taxation of services through an eight-digit classification.

3. A timeline is set for noting HSN codes in the documentation of outward supplies. For goods and services, HSN codes must be included in the GSTR-1 return every month. Taxpayers with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 1.5 crore have a due date of the 11th of the subsequent month to submit the GSTR-1. Those with a higher annual turnover, exceeding Rs. 1.5 crore, are provided an additional two days, facing a deadline on the 13th of the next month.

4. Tax defaulters beware: Those who neglect to declare the applicable HS codes on their GSTR-1 filings may incur monetary penalties—a daily fine of Rs. 50 (or Rs. 20 for smaller businesses under Rs. 1.5 crore turnover) until rectified, capped at Rs. 5,000 maximum.

5. Advantages of accurate HS coding: By citing the precise HS codes matching their goods and services, taxpayers furnish regulators with detailed supply particulars. This equips authorities to closely track market movements, identify attempts to dodge obligations, and eventually reduce long-term compliance burdens on business owners once trends are recognized. Compliant classification now eases later.

Exemptions to The Requirement to Mention HSN Codes in GSTR-1

Businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 1.5 crores are exempt from the requirement to mention HSN codes in GSTR-1, allowing smaller operations to focus resources on growth instead of paperwork. However, larger businesses generating over Rs. 1.5 crores in yearly sales must list codes for all products sold in GSTR-1 filings. By providing relief for small companies, the GST regulations aim to foster an encouraging environment where entrepreneurs can thrive without undue administrative burdens slowing progress. Still, enterprises making under Rs. 1.5 crores annually can opt to voluntarily submit HSN codes with their GSTR-1 returns if so desired, as doing so could help secure input tax credits and enhance return accuracy, strengthening the financial outlook.

Benefits of Mentioning HSN Codes on GSTR-1 Forms

There are several notable advantages to including Harmonized System of Nomenclature codes on GSTR-1 forms for businesses and the tax authorities, including facilitating compliance with Goods and Services Tax regulations in a straightforward yet detailed manner. 

1. Proper identification of products and services using HSN codes ensures that the accurate tax rate is applied to each while guaranteeing the right amount of levy is paid to the government. Beyond merely assisting companies in meeting their obligations, such itemization provides lucid visibility into the categorization of goods and services. 

2. This high level of transparency serves to reduce disputes and controversies about tax rates and classifications that often arise without sufficient classification data. By listing HSN codes, taxpayers promote compliance comprehensively and foster a clearer understanding between companies and tax bodies that is conducive to smoother operations and stronger fiscal policy.

3. Improving precision: HSN codes assist companies in precisely categorizing their products and services. This, in turn, helps in boosting the exactness of the tax filings and decreasing the risk of penalties and fines for non-compliance. The accurate classification of goods and services using HSN codes is crucial for businesses to avoid compliance errors.

4. Enabling input tax credit (ITC): Providing HSN codes in GSTR-1 helps businesses to assert input tax credit more precisely. This meticulous reporting, in turn, trims the tax liability of companies and facilitates reducing the overall expense of performing business. The detailed documentation of inputs using HSN codes streamlines the claiming of credits.

5. Facilitating monitoring: HSN codes aid the administration in tracking the supply of goods and services more effectively. It allows the government to follow the movement of products across the supply chain and to confirm that the proper amount of tax is being paid at each stage. The consistent use of HSN codes across records and filings helps the monitoring agencies analyze economic activities and ensure seamless revenue collection.

Suggestions

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Updated on:
March 21, 2024