A return is a document containing details of income which a taxpayer is required to file with
the tax administrative authorities. This is used by tax authorities to calculate tax liability.
Under GST, a registered dealer has to file GST returns that include:
- Purchases.
- Sales.
- Output GST (On sales).
- Input tax credit (GST paid on purchases).
To file GST returns or GST filing, GST compliant sales and purchase invoices are required.
In the GST regime, any regular business has to file two monthly returns and one annual
return. This amounts to 26 returns in a year.
The number of GST filings vary for quarterly GSTR-1 filers. The number of GST filings
online for them is 17 in a year.
There are separate returns required to be filed by special cases such as composition
dealers whose number of GST filings is 5 in a year.
Return Form Particulars Frequency Due date
| Return Form | Particulars | Frequency | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSTR-1 | Details of outward supplies of goods and services | Monthly | 11th of the next month |
| GSTR-2 | Details of inward supplies of goods and services affected | Monthly | 15th of the next month |
| GSTR-3 | Monthly return, in the case of finalization of details of outward supplies and inward supplies along with the payment of tax. | Monthly | 20th of the next month |
| GSTR-3B | It is a simple return in which the summary of outward supplies along with Input Tax Credit is declared and payment of tax is affected by the taxpayer. | Monthly | 20th of the next month |
| GSTR-4 | For all the taxable person registered under the composition levy | Quarterly | 18th of the next month after the quarter |
| GSTR-5 | Returns for a non-resident foreign taxable person | Monthly | 20th of the next month |
| GSTR-6 | Returns for an input service distributor | Monthly | 13th of the next month |
| GSTR-7 | Returns for authorities deducting TDS | Monthly | 10th of the next month |
| GSTR-8 | Details of supplies effected through the e-commerce operator and the amount of tax collected | Monthly | 10th of the next month |
| GSTR-9 | It is a simple return in which the summary of outward supplies along with Input Tax Credit is declared and payment of tax is affected by the taxpayer. | Monthly | 20th of the next month |
| GSTR-9A | Annual return of a taxpayer registered under the composition levy anytime during the year | Annually | 31st December of the next financial year |
| GSTR-10 | Final return | Only once, when GST registration is cancelled or surrendered | Within 3 months of the date of cancellation or the date of cancellation of order, whichever is later |
| GSTR-11 | Details of inward supplies to be furnished by a person having UIN and claiming a refund | Monthly | 28th of the following month for which the statement is filed |
Everything has to be filed online. The new law would provide for an automatic late fee to be
slapped on the defaulter. Other than that, all non filers will be tracked by the GST authorities
with requisite procedure in place.
You must bear in mind that the GST mechanism is efficient and effective. They have the
resources to track the defaulters with relative ease. They can make sure that you pay the
penalties if you commit any act of tax avoidance or tax evasion. So, being sincere and prompt
is essential.
What is the Late fees for not Filing GST Returns?
You will be liable to pay interest and a fee for not filing the return on time. There is 18%
interest per annum. The base for this interest is the amount of outstanding tax to be paid. It
should be done from the next day of filing to the date of payment.
There is also a late fee, which is Rs.100 per day as per the GST Act. It is Rs.100 under CGST
and Rs.100 under SGST, so the total is Rs.200. Maximum amount that can be levied is
Rs.5,000. IGST is exempted from late fee.
Can GST monthly return be revised?
There is no concept of revision of returns under the GST regime. However, you can change
the invoice through a supplementary invoice or debit or credit notes.
Can GST be revised?
GST returns cannot be revised in the present filing system. The mistake made in a
return can be rectified in the subsequent return when such mistake comes into notice.
Is there any exception from the filing of Annual return?
Yes! The following persons, as per section 44(1), are not required to furnish annual return:
Input Service Distributors
Persons paying tax under section 51,
Casual taxable persons, and
Non-resident taxable persons.
Who should file GST returns on a quarterly basis?
Businesses with annual aggregate turnover are not more than ₹ 1.5 crores may file quarterly
returns in GSTR-1 but they should pay taxes on a monthly basis by filing GSTR-3B.
GSTR-4 which is applicable for Composition Dealers was also required to be filed on a
quarterly basis. But as of now, GSTR-4 require to be file annually where payment of tax shall
be done on a quarterly basis by filing GST PMT-08.
Any person holding Unique Identification Number (UIN) and claiming a refund is also
required to furnish GSTR-11 on a quarterly basis.