📢 How to Reconcile GSTR-2B with Your Books of Accounts – Easy Step-by-Step Guide with Example

GST Reconciliation is one of the most important monthly tasks for any GST-registered business. Done right, it ensures that you get 100% eligible Input Tax Credit (ITC), avoid GST notices, and stay fully compliant.

Yet many businesses skip or mess up this critical step. So today, let’s understand in very simple words:

✅ What is GST 2B?
✅ Why do you need to reconcile it with your books?
✅ Step-by-step method with example tables you can actually use.
✅ Common mistakes to avoid.
✅ Best practical tips to make your work easy.

🌟 What is GSTR-2B?

GSTR-2B is an auto-generated static statement available monthly on the GST portal. It shows all the purchase invoices filed by your suppliers in their GSTR-1, which you can claim ITC on.

👉 It is ITC eligible summary for you.
👉 You cannot just claim all invoices from your books. Only what is present in GSTR-2B is claimable!

⚡ Why is 2B vs Books Reconciliation Important?

✅ Avoid ineligible ITC claims which lead to demand & penalties.
✅ Ensure all supplier invoices are correctly uploaded.
✅ Fix supplier errors on time.
✅ Claim 100% legitimate credit to improve cash flow.

In short, reconciling GST 2B vs your purchase register is a must for every business.

✅ Step-by-Step Guide with Practical Example

Let’s see how to reconcile 2B with your own books.

📌 Step 1: Download GSTR-2B from GST Portal

✔️ Login to https://www.gst.gov.in
✔️ Go to Returns → GSTR-2B
✔️ Select the tax period
✔️ Click “Download Excel”

👉 Your file will have columns like:

✅ Download this and save for matching.

📌 Step 2: Export Purchase Register from Tally or Your Accounting Software

✔️ In Tally:

Display → Account Books → Purchase Register → Export to Excel

Example Export:

✅ This is your books’ data for comparison.

📌 Step 3: Import Both Files into Excel

✔️ Open Excel.
✔️ Create two sheets:
✅ Sheet 1: GSTR-2B Data
✅ Sheet 2: Purchase Register

👉 Use VLOOKUP or Excel Power Query to match columns:

• Supplier GSTIN

• Invoice Number

• Taxable Value

• GST Amount

✅ This way, you’ll quickly spot differences.

📌 Step 4: Example Reconciliation Table

👉 After matching, your final reconciliation can look like:

✅ Green for Matched
❌ Red for Missing

📌 Step 5: Investigate Differences

✅ Missing in 2B → Supplier didn’t file GSTR-1 or uploaded incorrectly.
✔️ Contact supplier to file correctly.

✅ Mismatch in amount → Invoice error.
✔️ Ask supplier for amendment in next GSTR-1.

📌 Step 6: Follow-up with Suppliers

✅ Email or call the suppliers whose invoices are missing or wrong.
✅ Keep a log of communications for audit purposes.
✅ Get corrections done before next filing.

📌 Step 7: Finalise Eligible ITC

✅ Claim only matched invoices in GSTR-3B.
✅ Hold unmatched invoices until they appear in 2B.
✅ Repeat monthly!

⭐ Best Tips for Easy 2B Reconciliation

✅ Always reconcile before 20th of the month.
✅ Use accounting software with built-in GST reconciliation.
✅ Keep a dedicated Excel Template for easy monthly use.
✅ Educate suppliers about timely and correct GSTR-1 filing.
✅ Maintain proof of follow-up emails/messages.

🎯 Why is This So Important?

✔️ Ensures your ITC claims are 100% legal.
✔️ Avoids future demand notices & interest/penalties.
✔️ Saves money by avoiding blocked credit.
✔️ Builds professional credibility with suppliers.

✅ Conclusion

“GST 2B reconciliation isn’t rocket science – but it does need discipline!”

👉 Download 2B every month.
👉 Match with your purchase register.
👉 Fix mismatches with suppliers.
👉 Claim only what is cleanly matched.

Be 100% compliant. Save time, save money, and stay stress-free!

If you want help with:

✅ Excel template for matching
✅ Supplier communication formats
✅ GST return filing

👉 Contact us at Taxgyany.com or call 730 430 7888.