Business entities today are trying to venture their business, not just in the Indian markets or the markets within the country or on the national level, but also on a global level, crossing all geographical boundaries. To support this and aid the same, the government of India has come up with various schemes and benefits that would enhance the functionality and expansion of the business. One of the major provisions that the government of India introduced is the GST tax regime, which is a unified tax system implemented across the country. Along with this, there is a Letter of Undertaking arrangement also made available at the exporter’s convenience by the government. Under this, exporters who export goods from India to another country can do so without paying the Integrated Goods and Service Tax or the IGST. The major point of discussion in this article is the LUT or the letter of undertaking.
What is a Letter of Undertaking?
A letter of undertaking is an arrangement provided by the GST Authority of India to the exporter of goods from India to a foreign country. Under this, there are two options made available to the supplier or the exporter for exporting their goods, and they are allowed to choose from these options to avail themselves of the exemption from taxes. This would include the following:
– Paying off the IGST or the integrated goods and service tax for the export of goods made by the entity or entrepreneur and then claiming the credit or refund of such taxes which are paid by them.
– Otherwise, file the LUT or letter of undertaking or bonds and get themselves exempted from the payment of IGST for the export of goods they conduct.
Form GST RFD-11, Prescribed under Rule 96 A of the GST Act. Shall be utilized to furnish the LUT or the letter of undertaking. This rule states that the exporter of the goods would be making the statement providing all the necessary details of the exports without paying the IGST but ultimately would be fulfilling or complying with all the requirements laid down under the GST rules and regulations or guidelines.
Eligibility to be held for Furnishing LUT
The persons who have taken registration under the GST Act or the GST law can submit and would be holding the eligibility for submitting the LUT or Letter of Undertaking. The exception shall only be applied to those taxpayers who have been summoned for tax evasion and the amount involved under this exceeds the prescribed limit as per the rules laid down under the GST Rules. If a taxpayer or a person registered under GST is not allowed to submit the letter of undertaking or the LUT, then such person shall submit the export bonds for the export of the goods conducted by him.
LUT – Details to be Furnished
Under the letter of undertaking or LUT, the taxpayer or the person registered under GST has to furnish the following details:
– GSTIN or Goods and Service Tax Identification Number of the entity.
– The name of the entity is registered under the GST law.
– The document type is bond or the letter of undertaking/LUT.
– The address of the entity’s registered business premises.
– The date of furnishing the document.
– The signature and the designation are held by the person signing the same.
– The details of the witness and a guarantee provided by the bank.
The validity of a LUT shall be for one year from the date on which it was furnished. Once the date of validity of LUT expires, the taxpayer needs to furnish the form again and it can be done using the GST portal on an instant basis.
Documents for LUT
The following is the list of documents that have to be submitted by the taxpayer along with the letter of undertaking:
– Acceptance cover letter of the letter of undertaking or LUT.
– The GST Registration Certificate is issued by the GST authority to the entity.
– A copy of the original form GST RFD – 11 in two sets.
– Two sets of LUT notarized original annexure along with two witnesses.
– The digital signature certificate is verified by the bank manager.
– The ID and PAN card details of the witnesses. The details of this should be similar to the details provided in the LUT.
– The person or taxpayer’s PAN card details should be given.
– A copy of the company incorporation certificate or the Entity Registration Certificate shall also be furnished. In the case of a partnership firm, a copy of the partnership deed should be submitted.
– A self-declaration which is stating the eligibility of the taxpayer to provide LUT shall be given on the letterhead of the company or the entity as the case may be.
– A summary of the export sales invoices should be provided. It should be verified and certified by a qualified chartered accountant.
– A copy of the IEC code Certificate or License should also be provided.
Furnishing of LUT
For furnishing the LUT, an entity can access the portal of GST and do the same online. Following are the steps to be followed by the entity or the taxpayer.
- Access to the online portal of GST namely, www.gst.gov.in.
- Enter the user ID and password, after which click the login button.
iii. Now under the tab named ‘Services’, you have to select the ‘User Services’ tab.
- Now there will be a drop-down menu given from which the user has to choose ‘Furnish letter of undertaking’.
- You will be redirected to a new page where all the details ranging from the registered name, GSTIN, the trade name of the entity will be mentioned. Now select the financial year for which the LUT is being submitted.
- If the user has submitted or furnished the LUT in a manual form, the document pertaining to the same can be uploaded.
vii. Now fill in the details with respect to the LUT on the form that is given on the screen.
viii. Ensure that the details of the witnesses furnished on the screen are similar to those mentioned in the statements on the bank guarantee.
- Then, the user has to fill in the place of filing along with the designation and the signature. For this, a digital signature certificate can be used, and it cannot be edited once submitted.
- The user can submit the form either by using the verification of EVC or Electronic Verification Code or the DSC, which is the digital signature certificate. For both of these, the application reference number or ARN shall be required. Once the formalities are done, the user can download an acknowledgement to furnish the letter of undertaking.
DSC Verification method can be used only by the companies and the LLPs or Limited Liability Partnership entities. Instead of LUT, the exporters can also submit bonds, which again require a similar way or procedure for submitting the same. Under this 15% of the total amount of the export, the invoice should be given as a bank guarantee.
