All you want to know about revised requirement of mentioning HSN/SAC Code from April,1

HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) is an internationally accepted 6 digit uniform product coding system developed by World Customs Organisation (WCO).

In India, HSN coding was earlier used under Excise, Customs, and state Value Added Tax (VAT) laws and is accordingly is now used under Goods and Services Tax (GST) law, for classification of products/goods. Further SAC (Service Accounting Codes) as issued by CBIC are used for classification of supply of services.

Currently, the requirement of disclosing HSN / SAC on tax invoices / GST returns is governed by Notification No 12/2017- Central Tax dated 28-6-2017.

The GST Council in its 42nd Meeting held on 5th October, 2020 had decided on the Revised Requirement of declaring Harmonized System Nomenclature (HSN) for goods and Service Accounting Code (SAC) for services in invoices and in FORM GSTR-1, which will come into effect from 1st April, 2021.

In accordance with the decision of GST Council, Notification No. 78/2020- Central Tax dated 15-10-2020 was issued by the Central Government wherein changes have been made in the Notification No 12/2017- Central tax dated 28-6-2017 with effect from 1st April, 2021.

For ready reference of our readers the comparative position of use of HSN / SAC is tabulated below:

* As per proviso given in Notification No. 78/2020- Central Tax dated 15-10-2020 a registered person having aggregate turnover up to Rs 5 Cr in the previous FY may not mention the number of digits of HSN Code in a tax invoice issued by him under the said rules in respect of supplies made to unregistered persons. i.e. B2C supplies. Currently, no distinction between B2B and B2C supplies exists for purpose of disclosure of HSN/ SAC Codes.

Apart from above it may be noted that the government has the power to notify 8 digit HSN on the notified class of supplies by all taxpayers. Further reference of only HSN is here and thus 8 digit HSN disclosure will be required only for supply of goods and not for services , which is in line with current position where HSN codes of 8 digits are mandatory only in case of export and imports of goods.

Further, Notification No. 12/2017- Central Tax dated 28-6-2017 was again amended vide Notification No. 90/2020 – Central Tax, dated 1-12-2020 to provide for class of supply- ‘Chemicals’ whose HSN Code are required to be mentioned at 8-digit on the tax invoices.

It is pertinent to mention here the above changes in the mentioning of HSN/ SAC code, would also required to be disclosed in Table 12 of Form GSTR-1 (i.e., details of outward supplies of goods or services) and therefore, corresponding changes have been made in the same.

Further, it is of critical importance to disclose the correct HSN/ SAC Code on the tax invoices and Form GSTR-1 as a general penalty of Rs 50,000/- (Rs 25,000/- each for CGST and SGST) can be levied for non-mentioning or mentioning wrong HSN/ SAC Code, under Section 125 of the CGST Act, 2017.

Also Read: GST Compliance Calender for the month of March, 2021 

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CA. Mohammad Salim

CA. Mohammad Salim is an ICAI award winning Chartered Accountant having rich experience of more than 20 years in the field of indirect taxes. He is the Member, Indirect Taxes Committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is author of four successful books on GST published by Taxmann Publication and is also GST expert on taxmann portal.