Last updated - 31 October 2017
This topic will take you through some of the issues that might occur while preparing your returns using the GST Offline Tool or while filing your returns on the GST portal.
1. I downloaded GSTR-2A from the portal, reconciled my data and generated a JSON file in Tally.ERP 9. Now Error in JSON structure validation occurred when I uploaded the JSON file on the GST portal.
Workaround: We suggest that you download GSTR-2 (not GSTR-2A) from the portal, and use it for reconciliation.
2. For GSTR-1 and GSTR-2: The Status appears as Processed with Error while uploading invoices related to CDNR and CDNUR, even though the corresponding B2B invoices are present.
Cause
This error occurs when invoice numbers are already available in GSTR-1 or GSTR-2, or when there is a mismatch in tax details.
Solution
Download the error report from the GST portal.
In the GST Offline Tool:
1. Go to the section Open Downloaded Error File from GST Portal and click Open.
2. Enter the path on your computer where the error report is present.
3. Note down the GSTINs and the associated invoice numbers.
On the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in):
1. Go to Login > Return Dashboard.
2. Select the period.
3. Go to GSTR-2 > Prepare Online.
4. Click the relevant section (B2B or CDNR).
5. Select the relevant GSTIN and Invoice Number (Uploaded by Supplier/Uploaded by Tax Payer), and take the required action.
2. Error: System Failure while uploading B2B & CDNR invoices.
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
3. Refund vouchers are not supported on the GST portal and the GST Offline Tool. How do I upload the invoices?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
4. SEZ transactions are not supported on the GST portal (B2B and IMPG sections). How do I upload the invoices?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
5. Sale or purchase transactions involving e-commerce operators are not supported on the GST portal. How do I upload the invoices?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
6. I am not able to upload rule7_2_b and Re-claim of Reversal ITC - Rule 42(2)(b) in the section ITC-Reversal. How do I upload the details?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
7. While importing a B2B Invoice in the GST Offline Tool, when I set ITC eligibility to an option other than ineligible, I am not able to import ITC details into the tool. Also, after importing same invoice, I am not able to alter the ITC details.
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
8. When I select the Invoice Type as other than Regular under B2B Invoices, the offline tool accepts the Supply Type as Inter-State even though the Place of Supply is Intra-State.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
9. For Nil Rated invoices, the total amount does not appear in View Summary in the GST Offline Tool.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
10. In the GST Offline Tool, the Delete button is not working in the Tax Liability (Advances Paid) and Adjustment of Advances sections. The previously deleted invoices also appear in the list of View Summary.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
11. In the GST Offline Tool and the GST portal, which Place of Supply has to be selected in case of advance paid or adjusted for export transactions?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
12. On the GST portal, what is the default sort option for GSTIN-wise Summary and Invoice details for each section?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
13. There is no option to export to MS Excel (Reconciliation Excel) in the GST Offline Tool.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
14. After importing the invoices relating to the section impg, there is no option to alter the transaction in the GST Offline Tool.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
15. I cannot enter negative quantities in the HSN Summary in the GST Offline Tool. However, I can enter negative values.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
Workaround: You have to manually enter the negative quantities in the HSN Summary on the portal.
16. In the GST portal, the document type "Refund voucher" is not available for selection and has been greyed out, while it is available in the GST Offline Tool for selection (sections C, D, R).
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
1. There is no provision to upload the invoices for the following sections from the Excel template to the GST Offline Tool:
o Exempt sheet - Nil Rated, Exempt, Non-GST columns
o Docs sheet - Documents issued column
Workaround: You have to manually enter the details for these columns directly on the GST portal by referring to the table-wise format of GSTR-1 in Tally.ERP 9 Release 6.1.
2. When the combination of HSN code and its description is not unique, an error appears on the GST Offline Tool and GST portal.
This issue may occur when multiple UQCs are being used for a single HSN, and HSN Code - HSN Description combination is not unique for each UQC for a given HSN code.
Workaround:
● If you have used multiple UQCs for a single HSN, you have to modify the descriptions and keep the HSN Code - HSN Description combination unique for each UQC for a given HSN code. Follow the steps given below:
o Note the HSN codes shown in the message. In this case, they are 71179010 and 71171910.
o Open the Excel sheet or the CSV exported from Tally.ERP 9.
o Search for these HSN Codes either by using filters on Excel or through manual search on the CSV.
o Modify the description and make the HSN Code – Description combination unique. In this example, you can add numerals (1, 2, 3, and so on).
o Remove the filters and save the Excel sheet or CSV file.
o Delete all your data on the GST Offline Tool, if you would like to do a fresh import again.
o Import the modified/corrected excel sheet or CSV file in the offline tool.
● If your turnover is less than Rs 1.5 Crores, and if you have used multiple UQCs and provided only HSN descriptions, then you have to modify the descriptions and keep them unique.
You can do these changes on the exported Excel sheets and CSVs before uploading them to the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation. Alternatively, you can delete this data from the CSV or Excel sheets before uploading them to the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation. You will then have to manually enter these details on the GST portal.
3. Error: File could not be Uploaded! Download the latest version of Offline tool to generate the JSON file or ensure to validate your uploaded file against the template published at Specification Portal.
This error may appear while uploading the JSON file to the GST portal. Some of the possible reasons and the corresponding solutions are listed below:
● When Place of supply is selected as 97-Other Territory in the individual/summary invoices:
o If you had incorrectly selected 97-Other Territory, then specify a different place of supply in Tally.ERP 9, and export the data again.
o If you had deliberately selected 97-Other Territory, then, before importing the CSV and Excel sheets into the GST Offline Tool, you have to:
1. Delete those transactions in which 97-Other Territory was selected as the place of supply.
2. Import the remaining transactions into the GST Offline Tool.
3. Manually enter these transactions on the GST portal.
● When HSN description is captured with more than 30 characters:
This issue does not occur for data exported from Tally. If you have manually entered data in CSV or Excel, you can follow either of these solutions:
o Correct the data before uploading it to the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation.
o Delete specific transactions from CSV or Excel sheets before uploading them to the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation. You will then have to manually enter these transactions on the GST portal.
● This error might also occur when you perform the following steps:
o Download GSTR-1 invoices from the GST portal.
o Open the invoices in the Offline Tool, delete or modify them, and generate a fresh JSON file.
o Re-upload the JSON file to the GST Portal.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
4. On uploading JSON details in the GST portal, the status appears as Processed and No Error. However, if I try to view the table information from Prepare Online, I am unable to view the uploaded invoices. The count and drill-down details from the table appear blank.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
5. Unable to map UOM to the UQC list.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
Workaround: Until this issue is resolved, we recommend that you map your UOM to a similar or related UQC. You will then have to manually make changes in the exported Excel or CSV, and correct the quantity specified against a UQC on the HSN Summary sheet.
For example, if litre is missing in the UQC list, you can use kilolitres for UQC mapping. Later in the exported data, you have to divide the quantity by 1000 before importing it into the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation. Similarly, you can convert units like inches and feet.
6. The tax amount is not retained if B2B invoices are manually entered for Deemed Exports, SEZ supplies with payment and SEZ supplies without payment.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
7. In the GST Offline Tool and portal, which Place of Supply has to be selected in case of advance received or adjusted for export transactions?
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
8. Error: Following invoices contain invalid inputs. Do enter correct invoice date. Invoice date needs to be earlier than today and from the same financial year.
This error occurs in the CDNR /CDNUR section when you try to pass a sales return for a sales that was recorded before 1st July 2017, that is, before GST was introduced.
Workaround: You have to import the same data into the GST offline tool using MS Excel or CSV.
9. I cannot enter negative quantities in the HSN Summary in the offline tool. However, I can enter negative values.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
Workaround: You have to manually enter the negative quantities in the HSN Summary on the portal.
1. In the CSV format under the B2B section, the details of the invoice types SEZ supplies with payment and SEZ supplies without payment do not get imported to the GST Offline Tool.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
Workaround: In the exported CSV files, if the “s” (in “supplies”) is in lower case in the invoice types SEZ supplies with payment and SEZ supplies without payment, then the details of these invoice types do not get imported. You have to change the “s” to upper case before importing the CSV files to the GST Offline Tool.
2. Under the Export Invoices section of the GST Offline Tool, Excel template, and portal, there is no option to capture the cess amount.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
3. There is no provision to upload the invoices for the following sections from the excel template to the GST Offline Tool:
o Exempt sheet - Nil Rated, Exempt, Non-GST columns
o Docs sheet - Documents issued column
Workaround: You have to manually enter the details for these columns directly on the GST portal by referring to the table-wise format of GSTR-1 in Tally.ERP 9 Release 6.1.
4. In the GST Offline Tool and portal, which Place of Supply has to be selected in case of advance received or adjusted for export transactions?
We have noted this query and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
5. Error: File Process Failed
While importing data to the GST Offline Tool, sometimes the error File Process Failed appears. We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
6. The tax amount is not retained if B2B invoices are manually entered for Deemed Exports, SEZ supplies with payment and SEZ supplies without payment.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
7. Error: GSTR 1 not available
The error message GSTR 1 not available appears when you press the back button from View Summary in form GSTR-1 in the GST Offline Tool.
Workaround: This is a refresh issue of the GST Offline Tool. The GSTR-1 report will open after a few seconds of time lag.
8. Error: Following invoices contain invalid inputs. Do enter correct invoice date. Invoice date needs to be earlier than today and from the same financial year.
This error occurs in the CDNR /CDNUR section when you try to pass a sales return for a sales that was recorded before 1st July 2017, that is, before GST was introduced.
Workaround: You have to import the same data into the GST offline tool using MS Excel or CSV.
1. Error: Unable to download.
On clicking Generate error report, the error Unable to download appears, and the report does not get downloaded.
Workaround: This issue has been resolved. However, if this issue persists, click Generate error report again after sometime.
2. Error: File could not be Uploaded! Download the latest version of Offline tool to generate the JSON file or ensure to validate your uploaded file against the template published at Specification Portal.
This error may appear while uploading the JSON file to the GST portal. Some of the possible reasons and the corresponding solutions are listed below:
● When Place of supply is selected as 97-Other Territory in the individual/summary invoices:
o If you had incorrectly selected 97-Other Territory, then specify a different place of supply in Tally.ERP 9, and export the data again.
o If you had deliberately selected 97-Other Territory, then, before importing the CSV and Excel sheets into the GST Offline Tool, you have to:
1. Delete those transactions in which 97-Other Territory was selected as the place of supply.
2. Import the remaining transactions into the GST Offline Tool.
3. Manually enter these transactions on the GST portal.
● When HSN description is captured with more than 30 characters:
This issue does not occur for data exported from Tally. If you have manually entered data in CSV or Excel, you can follow either of these solutions:
o Correct the data before uploading it to the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation.
o Delete specific transactions from CSV or Excel sheets before uploading them to the GST Offline Tool for JSON creation. You will then have to manually enter these transactions on the GST portal.
● This error might also occur when you perform the following steps:
o Download GSTR-1 invoices from the GST portal.
o Open the invoices in the Offline Tool, delete or modify them, and generate a fresh JSON file.
o Re-upload the JSON file to the GST Portal.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
4. Error: Errors encountered while uploading the files
This error occurs while uploading the JSON file to the portal using Internet Explorer browser. We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
Workaround: Until this issue is resolved, we recommend that you use a different browser, for example Google Chrome, to upload the file to the GSTN portal.
5. In the GST Offline Tool, under the section Credit/Debit Notes (Registered), all three Document Types (Credit Note, Debit Note, and Refund Voucher) are available, whereas on the GST portal, only Debit Note and Credit Note are available.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
6. Unable to enter data or modify the uploaded invoices in the GST portal. A message appears stating that you have crossed the invoice limit of 500 invoices for a particular table (for example, B2B), and you have to download the invoices to the GST Offline Tool.
Workaround: If you have more than 500 invoices in a particular table (for example, B2B), you have to:
o Download the invoice data from the portal.
o View it in the GST Offline Tool and make the required modifications.
o Generate a fresh JSON from the GST Offline Tool.
o Re-upload your data to the GST portal.
7. In the Prepare Online section, the invoice count does not get refreshed after I add the invoice details.
Workaround: To view the updated invoice count, you have to go back to the Returns menu, select the Return Filing Period, and click Prepare Online.
8. On uploading JSON details in the GST portal, the status appears as Processed and No Error. However, if I try to view the table information from Prepare Online, I am unable to view the uploaded invoices. The count and drill-down details from the table appear blank.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
9. Error: GSTR 1 not available
The error message GSTR 1 not available appears when I press the back button from View Summary in form GSTR-1.
We have noted this issue and reported the same to the GSTN team for a possible resolution.
10. I am not able to work on the Offline Utility tool of GSTR-1, and I do not have Internet Explorer 11 on my computer. What should I do?
You can use Chrome to open the offline utility tool. Download Chrome and make it your default browser.
