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Microlesson · 5-min read

Seven Conditions for Availment of ITC [Section 16]

# Seven Conditions to Avail Input Tax Credit [Section 16]

A registered person can avail ITC only if ALL seven conditions are simultaneously satisfied. Missing even one condition blocks the credit.

## The Seven Conditions

#ConditionCore Requirement
1Possession of tax paying documentHold valid invoice/debit note/bill of entry etc.
2Details uploaded by supplierInvoice must appear in your GSTR-2B
3Goods/services receivedActual receipt is mandatory
4ITC not restricted in GSTR-2BGSTR-2B itself marks some entries as ineligible
5Tax paid to governmentSubject to supplier filing GSTR-3B
6Return filed u/s 39Recipient must file GSTR-3B to claim
7Credit not blocked u/s 17(5)Item must not fall in blocked credit list

---

## Condition 1: Possession of Valid Tax Paying Document

Valid documents include:

  • Invoice, debit note, revised invoice
  • Self-invoice with proof of tax payment (under RCM)
  • ISD document (Input Service Distributor)
  • Bill of entry (for imports)

NOT valid documents:

  • Delivery challan
  • Bill of supply

Mandatory particulars on the document:

  • GSTIN of supplier and recipient
  • Description and value of goods/services
  • Tax amount
  • Place of supply (for interstate supply)

E-invoice rule: If the supplier is required to issue an e-invoice, then any invoice without a valid IRN (or with wrong IRN) is NOT a valid tax paying document → ITC denied.

---

## Condition 2: Invoice Details Uploaded by Supplier (GSTR-2B Match)

ITC can be availed only on invoices/debit notes reflected in the recipient's GSTR-2B. The supplier must have:

  • Furnished details in GSTR-1 (as amended in GSTR-1A) or through IFF (Invoice Furnishing Facility), and
  • Such details must be communicated to recipient via GSTR-2B.

Exceptions — ITC allowed even WITHOUT GSTR-2B reflection:

  • IGST paid on imports
  • RCM supplies
  • Credit received from ISD

Tip: Quarterly filers upload invoices via IFF; monthly filers via GSTR-1.

---

## Condition 3: Receipt of Goods or Services

Receipt is mandatory. Three special sub-rules:

1. Ex-factory basis: Delivery to a transporter at factory gate is deemed delivery to recipient.

2. Goods received in lots/installments: ITC available only on receipt of the last lot.

3. Bill-to-Ship-to model: If goods are shipped to a third person on the recipient's instruction, the recipient (bill-to party) is deemed to have received them.

---

## Condition 4: ITC Not Restricted in GSTR-2B

GSTR-2B itself classifies inward supplies into 'ITC available' and 'ITC not available' (e.g. POS in different state). No ITC on restricted entries.

---

## Condition 5: Tax Actually Paid to Government

Self-assessed ITC is allowed initially, BUT:

  • If supplier shows outward supply in GSTR-1 but fails to file GSTR-3B for that period by 30th September following end of FY,
  • The recipient must reverse the ITC in any GSTR-3B filed by 30th November following that FY.
  • If supplier later files GSTR-3B, recipient can re-avail the credit.

---

## Condition 6: Filing of Return u/s 39

Recipient must file GSTR-3B; without filing the return, no ITC is realised.

---

## Condition 7: Credit Not Blocked u/s 17(5)

Covered separately under blocked credit lesson.

Worked example

### Example 1

Example 1 — Validity of tax paying documents

ABC Ltd. received the following in June and paid GST. Determine ITC available:

Inward SupplyGST PaidITC AvailableReason
Sugar (one invoice with GST ₹20,000 missing)₹2,00,000₹1,80,000Missing invoice = no document
Goods (GST ₹25,000 worth not received)₹1,00,000₹75,000Receipt condition fails for ₹25,000
50 ton rice — first lot of 35 ton received₹5,00,000NilITC available only on receipt of last lot
Capital goods capitalised at full value (incl. tax)₹3,00,000NilTax capitalised; cannot also take ITC
Machine for manufacturing₹10,00,000₹10,00,000All conditions met
Cotton delivered to job worker (3rd person)₹2,00,000₹2,00,000Bill-to-Ship-to: recipient deemed to have received
Pesticide to be delivered in September₹2,50,000NilGoods not yet received
Cotton from unregistered dealerNilNilNo tax paid, no ITC
Services with E-invoice but no IRN₹2,00,000NilInvalid document (E-invoice without IRN)
Legal service — invoice not in GSTR-2B₹1,00,000₹1,00,000RCM exception — GSTR-2B reflection not required

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Treating delivery challan or bill of supply as a valid tax-paying document for ITC.
  • Claiming ITC on the first lot of goods received in installments instead of waiting for the last lot.
  • Claiming ITC on an E-invoice that lacks a valid IRN — such an invoice is not a valid tax-paying document.
  • Forgetting that ITC on imports, RCM and ISD credit is allowed even when not reflected in GSTR-2B.
  • Missing the reversal trigger when supplier fails to file GSTR-3B by 30th September following the FY.
Bare-Act text Section 16 · CGST Act, 2017 · click to expand
Section 16 of the CGST Act prescribes the eligibility and conditions for taking input tax credit. Every registered person shall, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed, 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, subject to satisfaction of conditions including possession of a tax invoice/debit note/other prescribed document, receipt of goods or services, supplier having paid tax to government, and recipient having furnished the return under Section 39.
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