Paying Tax

Manner of dealing with difference in liability reported in the statement of outward supplies and that reported in the return

Rule 88C of the CGST Rules

Chapter 9 – Payment of Tax Text as on 2026-09-05 Source CBIC

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Where the tax shown in GSTR-1 exceeds that in GSTR-3B by more than the prescribed limit, the portal issues DRC-01B; the taxpayer must pay the difference or explain it within seven days, or the next GSTR-1 is blocked.

How this provision is built

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(1) Where the tax payable by a registered person, in accordance with the statement of outward supplies furnished by him in FORM GSTR-1 2 [, as amended in FORM GSTR-1Aif any,] or using the Invoice Furnishing Facility in respe…
(2) The registered person referred to sub-rule (1) shall, upon receipt of the intimation referred to in that sub-rule, either,- (a) pay the amount of the differential tax liability, as specified in Part A of FORM GST DRC-01B…
(3) Where any amount specified in the intimation referred to in sub-rule (1) remains unpaid within the period specified in that sub-rule and where no explanation or reason is furnished by the registered person in default or…

The exact words of the law

2,219 characters, unedited

Reproduced from the CBIC text. We explain it above — but you should always be able to read it yourself.

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Rule 88C 1 [Rule 88 C. Manner of dealing with difference in liability reported in statement of outward supplies and that reported in return.-

(1) Where the tax payable by a registered person, in accordance with the statement of outward supplies furnished by him in FORM GSTR-1 2 [, as amended in FORM GSTR-1Aif any,] or using the Invoice Furnishing Facility in respect of a tax period, exceeds the amount of tax payable by such person in accordance with the return for that period furnished by him in FORM GSTR-3B , by such amount and such percentage, as may be recommended by the Council, the said registered person shall be intimated of such difference in Part A of FORM GST DRC-01B , electronically on the common portal, and a copy of such intimation shall also be sent to his e-mail address provided at the time of registration or as amended from time to time, highlighting the said difference and directing him to—
(a) pay the differential tax liability, along with interest under section 50 , through FORM GST DRC-03 ; or
(b) explain the aforesaid difference in tax payable on the common portal, within a period of seven days.

(2) The registered person referred to sub-rule

(1) shall, upon receipt of the intimation referred to in that sub-rule, either,-
(a) pay the amount of the differential tax liability, as specified in Part A of FORM GST DRC-01B , fully or partially, along with interest under section 50 , through FORM GST DRC-03 and furnish the details thereof in Part B of FORM GST DRC-01B electronically on the common portal; or
(b) furnish a reply electronically on the common portal, incorporating reasons in respect of that part of the differential tax liability that has remained unpaid, if any, in Part B of FORM GST DRC-01B , within the period specified in the said sub-rule.

(3) Where any amount specified in the intimation referred to in sub-rule

(1) remains unpaid within the period specified in that sub-rule and where no explanation or reason is furnished by the registered person in default or where the explanation or reason furnished by such person is not found to be acceptable by the proper officer, the said amount shall be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of section 79 .]

What changed, and when

The amendment trail, newest first — because the version that applies to your case depends on the period.

2024-07-10 · Inserted

12/2024-CTdated

Inserted vide Notification No. 12/2024 – CT dated 10.07.2024.

2022-12-26 · Inserted

26/2022-CTdated

Inserted vide Notification No. 26/2022 – CT dated 26.12.2022.

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Where this comes from

Text reproduced from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, as available on 2026-09-05. The explanation and practice notes above are GSTZone’s own, written for this hub. If you spot anything out of date, tell us and we’ll fix it — this hub is checked daily against CBIC.

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