Input tax credit time limit: annual return filing governs the last opportunity to claim missed ITC for the year.
The last opportunity to claim input tax credit for invoices and debit notes from July 2017-March 2018 is the earlier of the due date for furnishing the return under section 39 for the month following the financial year (FORM GSTR-3 as specified by judicial interpretation) or the actual date of filing the annual return (FORM GSTR-9); because FORM GSTR-3 due dates were not notified, the annual-return date operates as the practical cutoff. Taxpayers may claim missed RCM credits after paying the tax and may reconcile GSTR-2A with GSTR-3B and books to claim supplier-paid credits within the permitted filing window. (AI Summary)