Inverted Duty Structure: Legal Provisions under GST Law
.png)
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) system in India was introduced to streamline indirect taxation by unifying multiple taxes into a single framework. However, one of the structural issues that has emerged under GST is the Inverted Duty Structure (IDS). This occurs when the tax rate on inputs (raw materials or services used in production) is higher than the tax rate on the output (final product or service). This imbalance creates difficulties for businesses, especially when claiming refunds for the excess Input Tax Credit (ITC). What is Inverted Duty Structure? In simple terms, Inverted Duty Structure in GST refers to a situation where the GST paid on inputs is more than the GST payable on outputs. For example, if a manufacturer pays 18% GST on raw materials but only charges 12% GST on the finished goods, the excess ITC accumulates. This accumulated credit cannot be fully utilized and may lead to blocked working capital. To address this issue, the GST law provides a mechanism...