GST return is a document or report that is filed by every GST registered person. It contains information related to your sales, purchases, sales tax (output tax), and sales tax paid (input tax). Once You become eligible for registration under GST, you must apply for a unique GSTIN from the GST Portal. Currently the eligibility is turnover of above Rs.40 lakhs (Rs 10 lakhs for special category states present in hill states and North-Eastern states).
The procedure of GST return filing is online, and is done through the portal created by the authorities. Facilities have been provided wherein taxpayers can do online GST return filing manually in which returns will be prepared offline and uploaded on government portal GSTN by the taxpayer or a facilitation center.
Every individual or entity who is registered under GST must file monthly GST returns and annual GST returns. irrespective of the type of business or turnover or profitability during the return filing period. Under the GST Regime, even a dormant business in India that has obtained GST registration must get nil GST return filing done.
Once the GST filing is done, the tax liability must be paid to the government on time. Further, the nature of the business also directs the GST return that is to be filed which is mentioned below. It is important to note that a taxpayer isn't required to file all the types of returns.
Form Type |
Who should file? |
GSTR-1 |
Every registered Individual or entity |
GSTR-2A |
View-only Autofill form |
GSTR 2B |
View-only |
GSTR 3B |
Regular taxpayer |
GSTR- 4 |
Composition dealer who has opted composition scheme |
GSTR-5 |
Non-resident foreigners who have businesses in India |
GSTR-5A |
Non-resident OIDAR service providers |
GSTR-6 |
Input Service Distributor (ISD) |
GSTR-7 |
Individuals who need to deduct TDS under GST |
GSTR-8 |
E-commerce operators |
GSTR-9 |
Every registered taxpayer |
GSTR 9C |
Every registered taxpayer |
GSTR-10 |
People whose registration has been canceled or surrendered |
GSTR-11 |
By foreign diplomatic missions and embassies for refund claim |
Below are the key documents that should be kept handy while going for online GST return filing-
Return Form |
Description |
Frequency |
Due Date |
GSTR 1 |
Statement of Outward Supplies made |
Monthly
Quarterly (If opted under the QRMP scheme) |
11th of the next month.
13th of the month succeeding the quarter.
|
GSTR 2 (Suspended) |
Statement of Inward supplies made |
Monthly |
--- |
GSTR - 2A |
Read only documents for the recipient, to verify the details uploaded by the seller in GSTR-1. |
Monthly |
15th of the next month |
GSTR 3 (Suspended) |
Auto populated document based on the details filled in GSTR-1, GSTR-2 and tax liability of any preceding period. |
|
--- |
GSTR - 3B |
Inward and Outward supply summary |
Monthly
Quarterly |
20th of the next month from the month of January 2021 onwards
22nd or 24th of the month next to the quarter |
GSTR 4 |
Quarterly return for composition traders. |
Annually |
30th of the month succeeding a financial year. |
GSTR 5 |
Monthly return for Non-Resident taxable people. |
Annually |
20th of next month. |
GSTR 6 |
Monthly return for Input Tax Distributor
|
Annually |
13th of next month. |
GSTR 7 |
Monthly Return for Tax Deductor. |
Annually |
10th of next month. |
GSTR 8 |
Monthly return for E-Commerce Operators. |
Annually |
10th of next month. |
GSTR 9 |
Annual GST return |
Annually |
31st December of next financial year. |
GSTR 9A (Suspended) |
Annual Return for Composition Scheme taxpayer |
Annually until FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19 |
--- |
GSTR 9B |
To be filed by E-Commerce operator
|
Annually |
31st December following the financial year end. |
GSTR 9C |
Reconciliation Statement |
Annually |
31st December following the financial year end. |
GSTR 10 |
Final GST Return |
Once, when GST registration is canceled or surrendered. |
Within 3 months of the date of cancellation or date of cancellation order, whichever is later. |
GSTR 11 |
GST Return for UID holders |
Monthly |
28th of the next month in which the inward supplies are received. |
CMP 08 |
|
|
18th of the month succeeding the quarter. |
It is crucial for every business, irrespective of the business structure, to adhere to the statutory compliance and complete all the necessary filings before the due dates to stay compliant every year. In a nutshell, it is suggested to all registered people to get their online GST return filing done on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, based on the type of their business within the due date as ignoring may lead to unnecessary problems.