CORAA

GSTR-9 vs Books Reconciliation Working Paper

Turnover, ITC (IGST/CGST/SGST) and tax paid as per the annual return against audited books, with every difference computed — the input working paper behind your GSTR-9C reconciliation.

Free · CORAA original — SA-aligned
Updated 28 Jul 2026
Feeds
Form GSTR-9C reconciliation statement
Tests
Turnover, ITC (IGST/CGST/SGST), tax paid
If liability found
Discharge via Form GST DRC-03 before filing
Format
Microsoft Word (.docx)
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What’s inside

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GSTR-9 VS BOOKS RECONCILIATION WORKING PAPER

Entity: ___ · GSTIN: ___ · Financial year ended: ___

Purpose: reconcile the turnover, input tax credit and tax paid declared in Form GSTR-9 (annual return) against the registered person's audited books of account, as the underlying working paper for the GSTR-9C reconciliation statement.

Common causes of turnover difference: unbilled revenue at year-end, advances received (taxable on receipt for services), Schedule I deemed supplies (related-party/branch transfers without consideration), credit notes issued after the return period, and export/SEZ turnover classification differences.

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About this template

What you’re downloading, and when to use it.

This template follows the format published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) in the AASB Audit Working Paper Templates (June 2023), the authoritative reference for Indian statutory-audit documentation. Fill in your firm’s letterhead and the engagement details on the form above, click Download Word file, and you’ll get a fully formatted .docx ready to use.

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Common questions

FAQs.

Why reconcile GSTR-9 against books separately from filing GSTR-9C?
GSTR-9C itself is now self-certified (CA certification was removed from FY 2020-21 onwards), but the underlying reconciliation work — identifying and explaining every turnover, ITC and tax difference — still needs to happen with the same rigour. This working paper is that documented reconciliation, kept as audit evidence independent of the return-filing step.
What is the most common source of an ITC difference between GSTR-9 and books?
Timing — ITC availed in the books when the invoice is received, but claimed in the GST return only in a later period once the corresponding GSTR-2B reflects it, or vice versa. Rule 42/43 reversals for common credit (used for both taxable and exempt supplies) are the second most common cause, since the reversal is a return-level computation that often isn't separately booked.
Does a turnover difference always mean additional GST liability?
No — many turnover differences are timing or classification differences with no net tax effect (e.g. an advance already taxed in an earlier period, or a branch transfer already reported under a different head). Each difference should be individually explained; only the ones that represent genuinely un-taxed supply need a DRC-03 payment.
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