CHAPTER-5 INPUT TAX CRED

INTRODUCTION

Input tax Credit Scheme under Goods and Service Tax Law enables every registered taxable person to take credit of the taxes paid on inputs, input services and capital goods which are received with the specified tax paying documents and are used in the manufacture/sale of taxable final products or rendering of taxable output services.

• The Goods and Service Tax Law permits the utilization of the credit so earned towards payment of outward tax liability.
• The basic premise for the introduction of Input Tax Credit is that taxing the same thing twice is not fair. Further, the focal point of GST is to make a chain of Input Tax Credit in a manner that there will be seamless flow of the credit of GST on each stage from manufacturer to trader till its ultimate consumption. ITC is considered to be the backbone of the GST regime. In fact, it is the provisions of ITC which essentially make GST a value added tax i.e., collection of tax at all points of supply chain after allowing credit of tax paid at earlier points.
• Under GST, the provisions in relation to input tax credit on inputs, capital goods and input services are governed by sections 16 to 21 of the CGST Act, 2017 read with Rule 36 to 45 of the CGST Rules, 2017. The Banking companies are eligible to claim input tax credit in respect of inputs, input services and capital goods.

Basic Depiction

The law states that every registered person can avail the Credit of Input Tax paid on Inward Supply which can be utilized towards payment of Outward tax liability on Outward Supply.

The components of Inward Supply are-

• Inputs
• Input Services
• Capital Goods

Outward Supply can also be of categorized as follow-

• Taxable Supply
• Exempted Supply
• Zero rated Supply

Hence, it is important to understand the meaning of some common terms used in relation to Input Tax Credit which have been provided below:

Before moving to analysis of the provisions of Input tax credit, lets us first understand few definitions as given under the CGST Act 2017  Inward Supply: “inward supply” in relation to a person, shall mean receipt of goods or services or both whether by purchase, acquisition or any other means with or without consideration; [Section 2(67)] Inputs:  “input” means any goods other than capital goods used or intended to be used by a supplier in the course or furtherance of business; [Section 2(59)] Input Services: “input service” means any service used or intended to be used by a supplier in the course or furtherance of business; [Section 2(60)] Capital Goods:  “capital goods” means goods, the value of which is capitalized in the books of account of the person claiming the input tax credit and which are used or intended to be used in the course or furtherance of business; [Section 2(19)] Input Tax:  “input tax” in relation to a registered person, means the central tax, state tax, integrated Tax or Union territory tax charged on any supply of goods or services or both made to him and includes-

Input Tax Credit: “input tax credit” means the credit of input tax; [Section 2(63)] Outward Supply: “outward supply” in relation to a taxable person, means supply of goods or services or both, whether by sale, transfer, barter, exchange, licence, rental, lease or disposal or any   other   mode,   made or agreed to  be  made by  such  person in  the course  or furtherance of business; [Section 2(83)] Output Tax:  “output tax” in relation to a taxable person, means the tax chargeable under this Act on taxable supply of goods or services or both made by him or by his agent but excludes tax payable by him on reverse charge basis; [Section 2(82)] Taxable Supply:  “taxable supply” means a supply of goods or services or both which is leviable to tax under this Act; [Section 2(108)] Exempt Supply: “exempt supply” means supply of any goods or services or both which attracts nil rate of tax or which may be wholly exempt from tax under section 11, or under section 6 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, and includes non-taxable supply; [Section 2(47)]

Zero rated Supply : “zero rated supply” means any of the following supplies of goods or services or both, namely: (i)  export of goods or services or both; and (ii)  supply of goods or services or both to a Special Economic Zone developer or a Special Economic Zone unit Section 16(1) of IGST Act         Export of Goods: “export of goods” means taking goods out of India to a place Outside India [Section 2(5) of IGST Act]    Export of Service : “export of services” means the supply of any service when,— (i)     the supplier of service is located in India; (ii)     the recipient of service is located outside India; (iii)     the place of supply of service is outside India; (iv)   the payment for such service has been received by the supplier of service in convertible Foreign exchange [or in Indian rupees wherever permitted by the Reserve Bank of India]; and (v)     the supplier of service and the recipient of service are not merely establishments of a distinct person in accordance with Explanation 1 in section 8; [Section 2(6) of IGST Act]            Recipient of supply of goods or services or both: “recipient” of supply of goods or services or both, means-

Section-16 Eligibility and conditions for taking input tax credit

(1) Every registered person shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed and in the manner specified in section 49, be entitled to take credit of input tax charged on any supply of goods or services or both to him which are used or intended to be used in the course or furtherance of his business and the said amount shall be credited to the electronic credit ledger of such person.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, no registered person shall be entitled to the credit of any input tax in respect of any supply of goods or services or both to him unless,-

• • he is in possession of a tax invoice or debit note issued by a supplier registered under this Act, or such other tax paying documents as may be prescribed ;
    • the details of the invoice or debit note referred to in clause (a) has been furnished by the supplier in the statement of outward supplies and such details have been communicated to the recipient of such invoice or debit note in the manner specified under section 37 ;]^[1]
  • he has received the goods or services or both.

[Explanation- For the purposes of this clause, it shall be deemed that the registered person has received the goods or, as the case may be, services-

(i) where the goods are delivered by the supplier to a recipient or any other person on the direction of such registered person, whether acting as an agent or otherwise, before or during movement of goods, either by way of transfer of documents of title to goods or otherwise;

(ii) where the services are provided by the supplier to any person on the direction of and on account of such registered person;]^[2]

[(ba) the details of input tax credit in respect of the said supply communicated to such registered person under section 38 has not been restricted;]^[6]

• • subject to the provisions of [section 41 [***]^[7]]^[3]the tax charged in respect of such supply has been actually paid to the Government, either in cash or through utilisation of input tax credit admissible in respect of the said supply; and
  • he has furnished the return under section 39:

Provided that where the goods against an invoice are received in lots or installments, the registered person shall be entitled to take credit upon receipt of the last lot or installment:

Provided further that where a recipient fails to pay to the supplier of goods or services or both, other than the supplies on which tax is payable on reverse charge basis, the amount towards the value of supply along with tax payable thereon within a period of one hundred and eighty days from the date of issue of invoice by the supplier, an amount equal to the input tax credit availed by the recipient shall be [paid by him along with interest payable under section 50]^[9], in such manner as may be prescribed

Provided also that the recipient shall be entitled to avail of the credit of input tax on payment made by him [to the supplier]^[10] of the amount towards the value of supply of goods or services or both along with tax payable thereon.

(3) Where the registered person has claimed depreciation on the tax component of the cost of capital goods and plant and machinery under the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), the input tax credit on the said tax component shall not be allowed.

(4) A registered person shall not be entitled to take input tax credit in respect of any invoice or debit note for supply of goods or services or both after the [thirtieth day of November]^[8] following the end of financial year to which such invoice or [***]^[4] debit note pertains or furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier.

[Provided that the registered person shall be entitled to take input tax credit after the due date of furnishing of the return under section 39 for the month of September, 2018 till the due date of furnishing of the return under the said section for the month of March, 2019 in respect of any invoice or invoice relating to such debit note for supply of goods or services or both made during the financial year 2017-18, the details of which have been uploaded by the supplier under sub-section (1) of section 37 till the due date for furnishing the details under sub-section (1) of said section for the month of March, 2019.]^[5]

[(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (4), in respect of an invoice or debit note for supply of goods or services or both pertaining to the Financial Years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21, the registered person shall be entitled to take input tax credit in any return under section 39 which is filed up to the thirtieth day of November, 2021.

(6) Where registration of a registered person is cancelled under section 29 and subsequently the cancellation of registration is revoked by any order, either under section 30 or pursuant to any order made by the Appellate Authority or the Appellate Tribunal or court and where availment of input tax credit in respect of an invoice or debit note was not restricted under sub-section (4) on the date of order of cancellation of registration, the said person shall be entitled to take the input tax credit in respect of such invoice or debit note for supply of goods or services or both, in a return under section 39,––

• • filed up to thirtieth day of November following the financial year to which such invoice or debit note pertains or furnishing of the relevant annual return, whichever is earlier; or
  • for the period from the date of cancellation of registration or the effective date of cancellation of registration, as the case may be, till the date of order of revocation of cancellation of registration, where such return is filed within thirty days from the date of order of revocation of cancellation of registration,

whichever is later.]^[11]

References for Amendments:-

[1] Inserted by The Finance Act, 2021 dated 28.03.2021 and notified w.e.f. 01.01.2022 vide Notification No. 39/2021 – Central Tax dated 21.12.2021.
[2] Substituted for “Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause, it shall be deemed that the registered person has received the goods where the goods are delivered by the supplier to a recipient or any other person on the direction of such registered person, whether acting as an agent or otherwise, before or during movement of goods, either by way of transfer of documents of title to goods or otherwise;” by The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) brought into force w.e.f. 01.02.2019.
[3] Substituted for “section 41″ by The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) brought into force w.e.f. 01.02.2019, Applicability yet to be notified.
[4] Omitted words “invoice relating to such” vide The Finance Act, 2020 (No. 12 of 2020) brought into force w.e.f. 01.01.2021.
[5] Inserted vide Order No. 02/2018 –Central Tax dated 31.12.2018
[6]Inserted vide The Finance Act, 2022 (6 of 2022)  dated 30.03.2022, brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2022 by Notification 18/2022-Central Tax dated 28.09.2022.
[7] Omitted words “or Section 43A” vide The Finance Act, 2022 (6 of 2022)  dated 30.03.2022, brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2022 Notification 18/2022-Central Tax dated 28.09.2022.
[8] Substituted for words “due date of furnishing of the return under Section 39 for the month of September” vide The Finance Act, 2022 (6 of 2022) dated 30.03.2022, brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2022 Notification 18/2022-Central Tax dated 28.09.2022.
[9] Substituted for words “added to his output tax liability, along with interest thereon” vide The Finance Act, 2023 (8 of 2023) dated 31.03.2023. Brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2023, vide Notification No. 28/2023-Central Tax dated 31.07.2023.
[10] Inserted vide The Finance Act, 2023 (8 of 2023) dated 31.03.2023. Brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2023, vide Notification No. 28/2023-Central Tax dated 31.07.2023.
[11] Inserted vide The Finance (No.2) Act, 2024 (No. 15 of 2024) dated 16.08.2024, having retrospective effect from 01.07.2017 brought into force w.e.f. 27.09.2024 vide Notification No. 17/2024-Central Tax dated 27.09.2024 . 

Section-17 Apportionment of credit and blocked credits

(1) Where the goods or services or both are used by the registered person partly for the purpose of any business and partly for other purposes, the amount of credit shall be restricted to so much of the input tax as is attributable to the purposes of his business.

(2) Where the goods or services or both are used by the registered person partly for effecting taxable supplies including zero-rated supplies under this Act or under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act and partly for effecting exempt supplies under the said Acts, the amount of credit shall be restricted to so much of the input tax as is attributable to the said taxable supplies including zero-rated supplies.

(3) The value of exempt supply under sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed, and shall include supplies on which the recipient is liable to pay tax on reverse charge basis, transactions in securities, sale of land and, subject to clause (b) of paragraph 5 of Schedule II, sale of building.

[Explanation- For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression “value of exempt supply‘‘ shall not include the value of activities or transactions specified in Schedule III, [except,-

(i) the value of activities or transactions specified in paragraph 5 of the said schedule; and

(ii) the value of such activities or transactions as may be prescribed in respect of clause (a) of paragraph 8 of the said Schedule.]^[4]]^[1]

(4) A banking company or a financial institution including a non-banking financial company, engaged in supplying services by way of accepting deposits, extending loans or advances shall have the option to either comply with the provisions of sub-section (2), or avail of, every month, an amount equal to fifty per cent. of the eligible input tax credit on inputs, capital goods and input services in that month and the rest shall lapse:

Provided that the option once exercised shall not be withdrawn during the remaining part of the financial year:

Provided further that the restriction of fifty per cent shall not apply to the tax paid on supplies made by one registered person to another registered person having the same Permanent Account Number.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) of section 16 and sub- section (1) of section 18, input tax credit shall not be available in respect of the following, namely:—

1.motor vehicles for transportation of persons having approved seating capacity of not more than thirteen persons (including the driver), except when they are used for making the following taxable supplies, namely:-

• • further supply of such motor vehicles; or
  • transportation of passengers; or
  • imparting training on driving such motor vehicles;

1. 1. (a)vessels and aircraft except when they are used-

• • • (i)for making the following taxable supplies, namely:-
      • further supply of such vessels or aircraft; or
      •  transportation of passengers; or
      •  imparting training on navigating such vessels; or
      •  imparting training on flying such aircraft;
    • (ii)for transportation of goods;

1. 1. (b)services of general insurance, servicing, repair and maintenance in so far as they relate to motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa):

Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such services shall be available—

• • • (i)where the motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa) are used for the purposes specified therein;
    • (ii)where received by a taxable person engaged-
      •  in the manufacture of such motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft; or
      •  in the supply of general insurance services in respect of such motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft insured by him;]^[2]

2. [the following supply of goods or services or both—

• • food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery, leasing, renting or hiring of motor vehicles, vessels or aircraft referred to in clause (a) or clause (aa) except when used for the purposes specified therein, life insurance and health insurance:

Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such goods or services or both shall be available where an inward supply of such goods or services or both is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply;

• • membership of a club, health and fitness centre; and
  • travel benefits extended to employees on vacation such as leave or home travel concession:

Provided that the input tax credit in respect of such goods or services or both shall be available, where it is obligatory for an employer to provide the same to its employees under any law for the time being in force.]^[3]

3. works contract services when supplied for construction of an immovable property (other than plant and machinery) except where it is an input service for further supply of works contract service;

4. goods or services or both received by a taxable person for construction of an immovable property (other than [plant and machinery]^[7]) on his own account including when such goods or services or both are used in the course or furtherance of business.

Explanation 1– For the purposes of clauses (c) and (d), the expression “construction” includes re-construction, renovation, additions or alterations or repairs, to the extent of capitalisation, to the said immovable property;

[Explanation 2.––For the purposes of clause (d), it is hereby clarified that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any judgment, decree or order of any court, tribunal, or other authority, any reference to “plant or machinery” shall be construed and shall always be deemed to have been construed as a reference to “plant and machinery”]^[8]

5. goods or services or both on which tax has been paid under section 10;

6. goods or services or both received by a non-resident taxable person except on goods imported by him;

[(fa) goods or services or both received by a taxable person, which are used or intended to be used for activities relating to his obligations under corporate social responsibility referred to in section 135 of Companies Act, 2013]^[5]

7. goods or services or both used for personal consumption;

8. goods lost, stolen, destroyed, written off or disposed of by way of gift or free samples; and

• • any tax paid in accordance with the provisions of [section 74 in respect of any period up to Financial Year 2023-24]^[6].

(6) The Government may  prescribe the manner in which the credit referred to in sub-sections (1) and (2) may be attributed.

Explanation- For the purposes of this Chapter and Chapter VI, the expression “plant and machinery” means apparatus, equipment, and machinery fixed to earth by foundation or structural support that are used for making outward supply of goods or services or both and includes such foundation and structural supports but excludes—

1. land, building or any other civil structures;
2. telecommunication towers; and
3. pipelines laid outside the factory premises.

References for Amendments:

[1] Inserted by The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) brought into force w.e.f. 01.02.2019.
[2] Substituted vide The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) – Brought into force w.e.f  01.02.2019. Prior to its substitution it reads as under- “(a) motor vehicles and other conveyances except when they are used–
(i) for making the following taxable supplies, namely:—
(A) further supply of such vehicles or conveyances ; or
(B) transportation of passengers; or
(C) imparting training on driving, flying, navigating such vehicles or conveyances;
(ii) for transportation of goods;”
[3] Substituted vide The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) brought into force w.e.f. 01.02.2019. Prior to its substitution it reads as under
“(b) the following supply of goods or services or both—
(i) food and beverages, outdoor catering, beauty treatment, health services, cosmetic and plastic surgery except where an inward supply of goods or services or both of a particular category is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as an element of a taxable composite or mixed supply;
(ii) membership of a club, health and fitness centre;
(iii) rent-a-cab, life insurance and health insurance except where––
(A) the Government notifies the services which are obligatory for an employer to provide to its employees under any law for the time being in force; or
(B) such inward supply of goods or services or both of a particular category is used by a registered person for making an outward taxable supply of the same category of goods or services or both or as part of a taxable composite or mixed supply; and
(iv) travel benefits extended to employees on vacation such as leave or home travel concession;”
[4] Substituted for words “except those specified in paragraph 5 of the said Schedule” vide The Finance Act, 2023 (No. 8 of 2023) dated 31.03.2023. Brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2023, vide Notification No. 28/2023-Central Tax dated 31.07.2023.
[5] Inserted vide The Finance Act, 2023 (No. 8 of 2023) dated 31.03.2023. Brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2023, vide Notification No. 28/2023-Central Tax dated 31.07.2023^{.
[6] Substituted for words “sections 74, 129 and 130” vide The Finance (No.2) Act, 2024 (No. 15 of 2024) dated 16.08.2024, to be bought in force from 01.11.2024 vide Notification No. 17/2024-Central Tax dated 27.09.2024.
[7] Substituted for words “plant or machinery” vide The Finance Act, 2025 (No. 7 of 2025) dated 29.03.2025 having an retrospective effect w.e.f. 01.07.2017 notified w.e.f. 01.10.2025 vide Notification No. 16/2025-Central Tax dated 17.09.2025.
[8] Inserted vide The Finance Act, 2025 (No. 7 of 2025) dated 29.03.2025, brought into force w.e.f. 01.10.2025 notified vide Notification No. 16/2025-Central Tax dated 17.09.2025.}

Section-18 Availability of credit in special circumstances

(1) Subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed–

• • a person who has applied for registration under this Act within thirty days from the date on which he becomes liable to registration and has been granted such registration shall be entitled to take credit of input tax in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock on the day immediately preceding the date from which he becomes liable to pay tax under the provisions of this Act;
  • a person who takes registration under sub-section (3) of section 25 shall be entitled to take credit of input tax in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock on the day immediately preceding the date of grant of registration;
  • where any registered person ceases to pay tax under section 10, he shall be entitled to take credit of input tax in respect of inputs held in stock, inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock and on capital goods on the day immediately preceding the date from which he becomes liable to pay tax under section 9:

Provided that the credit on capital goods shall be reduced by such percentage points as may be prescribed;

• • where an exempt supply of goods or services or both by a registered person becomes a taxable supply, such person shall be entitled to take credit of input tax in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock relatable to such exempt supply and on capital goods exclusively used for such exempt supply on the day immediately preceding the date from which such supply becomes taxable:

Provided that the credit on capital goods shall be reduced by such percentage points as may be prescribed.

(2) A registered person shall not be entitled to take input tax credit under sub-section (1) in respect of any supply of goods or services or both to him after the expiry of one year from the date of issue of tax invoice relating to such supply.

(3) Where there is a change in the constitution of a registered person on account of sale, merger, demerger, amalgamation, lease or transfer of the business with the specific provisions for transfer of liabilities, the said registered person shall be allowed to transfer the input tax credit which remains unutilised in his electronic credit ledger to such sold, merged, demerged, amalgamated, leased or transferred business in such manner as may be prescribed.

(4) Where any registered person who has availed of input tax credit opts to pay tax under section 10 or, where the goods or services or both supplied by him become wholly exempt, he shall pay an amount, by way of debit in the electronic credit ledger or electronic cash ledger, equivalent to the credit of input tax in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock and on capital goods, reduced by such percentage points as may be prescribed, on the day immediately preceding the date of exercising of such option or, as the case may be, the date of such exemption:

Provided that after payment of such amount, the balance of input tax credit, if any, lying in his electronic credit ledger shall lapse.

(5) The amount of credit under sub-section (1) and the amount payable under sub-section (4) shall be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.

(6) In case of supply of capital goods or plant and machinery, on which input tax credit has been taken, the registered person shall pay an amount equal to the input tax credit taken on the said capital goods or plant and machinery reduced by such percentage points as may be prescribed or the tax on the transaction value of such capital goods or plant and machinery determined under section 15, whichever is higher:

Provided that where refractory bricks, moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures are supplied as scrap, the taxable person may pay tax on the transaction value of such goods determined under section 15.

Section-19 Taking input tax credit in respect of inputs and capital goods sent for job work

(1) The principal shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, be allowed input tax credit on inputs sent to a job worker for job work.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 16, the principal shall be entitled to take credit of input tax on inputs even if the inputs are directly sent to a job worker for job work without being first brought to his place of business.

(3) Where the inputs sent for job work are not received back by the principal after completion of job work or otherwise or are not supplied from the place of business of the job worker in accordance with clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 143 within one year of being sent out, it shall be deemed that such inputs had been supplied by the principal to the job worker on the day when the said inputs were sent out:

Provided that where the inputs are sent directly to a job worker, the period of one year shall be counted from the date of receipt of inputs by the job worker.

(4) The principal shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, be allowed input tax credit on capital goods sent to a job worker for job work.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 16, the principal shall be entitled to take credit of input tax on capital goods even if the capital goods are directly sent to a job worker for job work without being first brought to his place of business.

(6) Where the capital goods sent for job work are not received back by the principal within a period of three years of being sent out, it shall be deemed that such capital goods had been supplied by the principal to the job worker on the day when the said capital goods were sent out:

Provided that where the capital goods are sent directly to a job worker, the period of three years shall be counted from the date of receipt of capital goods by the job worker.

(7) Nothing contained in sub-section (3) or sub-section (6) shall apply to moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures, or tools sent out to a job worker for job work.

Explanation.–For the purpose of this section, “principal” means the person referred to in section 143.

Section-20 Manner of distribution of credit by Input Service Distributor

[(1) Any office of the supplier of goods or services or both which receives tax invoices towards the receipt of input services, including invoices in respect of services liable to tax under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 9 [of this Act or under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 5 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017]^[2], for or on behalf of distinct persons referred to in section 25, shall be required to be registered as Input Service Distributor under clause (viii) of section 24 and shall distribute the input tax credit in respect of such invoices.

(2) The Input Service Distributor shall distribute the credit of central tax or integrated tax charged on invoices received by him, including the credit of central or integrated tax in respect of services subject to levy of tax under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 9 [of this Act or under sub-section (3) or sub-section (4) of section 5 of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017,]^[3] paid by a distinct person registered in the same State as the said Input Service Distributor, in such manner, within such time and subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be prescribed.

(3) The credit of central tax shall be distributed as central tax or integrated tax and integrated tax as integrated tax or central tax, by way of issue of a document containing the amount of input tax credit, in such manner as as may be prescribed.]^[1]

References for Amendments:-

[1] Substituted vide The Finance Act, 2024 as notified on 15.02.2024. Brought into force w.e.f. 01.04.2025 vide Notification No. 16/2024-Central Tax dated 06.08.2024. Prior to its substitution, as amended by The Central Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2018 (No. 31 of 2018) brought into force w.e.f. 01.02.2019, the same reads as under:
(1) The Input Service Distributor shall distribute the credit of central tax as central tax or integrated tax and integrated tax as integrated tax or central tax, by way of issue of a document containing the amount of input tax credit being distributed in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) The Input Service Distributor may distribute the credit subject to the following conditions, namely:-
(a) the credit can be distributed to the recipients of credit against a document containing such details as may be prescribed;
(b) the amount of the credit distributed shall not exceed the amount of credit available for distribution;
(c) the credit of tax paid on input services attributable to a recipient of credit shall be distributed only to that recipient;
(d) the credit of tax paid on input services attributable to more than one recipient of credit shall be distributed amongst such recipients to whom the input service is attributable and such distribution shall be pro rata on the basis of the turnover in a State or turnover in a Union territory of such recipient, during the relevant period, to the aggregate of the turnover of all such recipients to whom such input service is attributable and which are operational in the current year, during the said relevant period;
(e) the credit of tax paid on input services attributable to all recipients of credit shall be distributed amongst such recipients and such distribution shall be pro rata on the basis of the turnover in a State or turnover in a Union territory of such recipient, during the relevant period, to the aggregate of the turnover of all recipients and which are operational in the current year, during the said relevant period.
Explanation.– For the purposes of this section,–
(a) the “relevant period” shall be–
(i) if the recipients of credit have turnover in their States or Union territories in the financial year preceding the year during which credit is to be distributed, the said financial year; or
(ii) if some or all recipients of the credit do not have any turnover in their States or Union territories in the financial year preceding the year during which the credit is to be distributed, the last quarter for which details of such turnover of all the recipients are available, previous to the month during which credit is to be distributed;
(b) the expression “recipient of credit” means the supplier of goods or services or both having the same Permanent Account Number as that of the Input Service Distributor;
(c) the term “turnover”, in relation to any registered person engaged in the supply of taxable goods as well as goods not taxable under this Act, means the value of turnover, reduced by the amount of any duty or tax levied  [under entries 84 and 92A] of List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and entries 51 and 54 of List II of the said Schedule

[2] Inserted vide The Finance Act, 2025 (No. 7 of 2025) dated 29.03.2025 w.e.f. 01.04.2025
[3] Inserted vide The Finance Act, 2025 (No. 7 of 2025) dated 29.03.2025 w.e.f. 01.04.2025

Section-21 Manner of recovery of credit distributed in excess

Where the Input Service Distributor distributes the credit in contravention of the provisions contained in section 20 resulting in excess distribution of credit to one or more recipients of credit, the excess credit so distributed shall be recovered from such recipients along with interest, and the provisions of section 73 or section 74 [or section 74A]^[1], as the case may be, shall, mutatis mutandis, apply for determination of amount to be recovered.

References for Amendments:-

[1] Inserted vide The Finance (No.2) Act, 2024 (No. 15 of 2024) dated 16.08.2024, to be bought in force w.e.f. 01.11.2024 vide Notification No. 17/2024-Central Tax dated 27.09.2024.