Electronic Cash Ledger

Electronic cash ledger is a cash ledger in electronic mode on GST portal. Electronic cash ledger contains details of all the deposits made by a taxpayer under GST. Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) are also reflected in electronic cash ledger of the taxpayer. Electronic cash ledger is divided into major and minor head. Major heads are IGST, CGST, SGST, UTGST and cess and all the major heads are sub-divided in to minor heads like tax, interest, penalty, fees and other.

No Late Fee for GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B Return

The biggest relief extended to small business by the 31st GST Council is the waiver of late fee for filing GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B return. The GST Council has announced:

“Late fee shall be completely waived for all taxpayers in case FORM GSTR-1, FORM GSTR-3B &FORM GSTR-4 for the months/quarters July 2017 to September 2018, are furnished after 22.12.2018 but on or before 31.03.2019.”

Thus, filing of Form GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-4 will not attract any late fee penalty until 31st March 2019.

GST Annual Return Due Date Extended

All entities having GST registration are required to file GST annual return in form GSTR-9. The due date for filing GST annual return is usually 31st December of each year for the financial year ended on 31st March of the same calendar year. As GST is newly introduced in India, the Government has decided to extend the due date for GST annual return filing to 30th June 2019. The due date for filing GST annual return was originally extended upto 31st March 2019, which has been further extended to 30th June 2019 by the GST Council.

Utilisation of Electronic Cash Ledger

1. Cash deposited in electronic cash ledger for CGST, SGST, IGST, UGST and cess can be used only for payment of CGST, SGST, IGST, UGST and cess, respectively. Inter adjustment is not allowed.
2. Cash deposited in electronic cash ledger for tax, interest, penalty, fees and other liabilities can be used only for payment of tax, interest, penalty, fees and other liabilities, respectively. Inter adjustment is not allowed.
3. Amount under cash ledger can be used in following order –
   1. Firstly the amount can be used towards self-assessment tax and other dues related to returns of the previous tax periods. Previous month tax liability includes tax dues reported in GST return but not paid and interest, penalty or late fee payable.
   2. Secondly, the amount can be used further towards, self-assessment tax and other dues related to returns of current tax period. Current month tax liability includes following:
      • Liability for invoices and amendments as uploaded for the previous months.
      • Input tax credit reversal due to mismatch of invoice.
      • Tax amount increased in tax period as a consequence of reduction of liability by supplier but without corresponding reduction in input tax credit by the receiver.
      • Liability for invoices and other consolidated declarations uploaded for current month.
   3. Lastly, the amount can be used for any other amount payable under the Act or rules made thereunder including demand determined under section 73 or section 74 of the Act.

Checking Electronic Cash Ledger

• Visit the site https://www.gst.gov.in;
• Enter valid user id and password;
• In order to view electronic cash ledger you need to click on services tab first.
• Under services tab you need to select ledgers and then select electronic cash ledger.
• On selecting electronic cash ledger, cash balance as on date would be displayed.
• By entering date from and to, you can also view electronic cash ledger transactions.