What is GST Return?

GST return is an official document that furnishes all the purchases, sales, tax paid on purchases, and tax collected on sales-related details. The GST returns is required to be filed, following which the taxpayer has to pay off the tax liability.

Who should file GST Returns?

GST returns has to be filed by all the business entities who are registered under the GST system. The filing process has to be identified on the basis of the nature of the business.

The registered dealer who part of the following activities needs to file a GST return:

1. Sales
2. Purchase
3. Output Goods and services tax (on Sales)
4. Input Tax Credit with GST paid on the purchase

How to File GST Returns Online?

From manufacturers and suppliers to dealers and consumers, all taxpayers have to file their tax returns with the GST department every year. Under the new GST regime, filing tax returns has become automated. GST returns can be filed online using the software or apps provided by Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN) which will auto-populate the details on each GSTR forms. Listed below are the steps for filing GST return online:

• Step:1 Visit the GST Portal.
• Step:2 A 15-digit GST identification number will be issued based on your state code and PAN number.
• Step:3 Upload invoices on the GST portal or the software. An invoice reference number will be issued against each invoice.
• Step:4 After uploading invoices, outward return, inward return, and cumulative monthly return have to be filed online. If there are any errors, you have the option to correct it and refile the returns.
• Step:5 File the outward supply returns in GSTR-1 form through the information section at the GST Common Portal (GSTN) on or before 10th of the following month.
• Step:6 Details of outward supplies furnished by the supplier will be made available in GSTR-2A to the recipient.
• Step:7 Recipient has to verify, validate, and modify the details of outward supplies, and also file details of credit or debit notes.
• Step:8 Recipient has to furnish the details of inward supplies of taxable goods and services in GSTR-2 form.
• Step:9 The supplier can either accept or reject the modifications of the details of inward supplies made available by the recipient in GSTR-1A.

Types of GST Returns under New GST Law

The list of all types of GST returns in India along with frequency and the due date for filing returns.

Various Kinds of GSTR Forms with Explanation

GST returns can be filed using different forms depending on the type of transaction and registration of the taxpayer. Return forms for normal taxpayers are:

GSTR 1

GSTR-1 form has to be filed by a registered taxable supplier with details of the outward supplies of goods and services. This form is filled by the supplier. The buyer has to confirm the auto-populated buy information on the form and make modifications if required. The form will contain the following details:

• Business name, period for which the return is filed, Goods and Services Taxpayer Identification Number (GSTIN).
• Invoices issued in the previous month and the corresponding taxes collected.
• Advances received against a supply order that has to be delivered in the future.
• Revision in outward sales invoices from the previous tax periods.

GSTR-1 has to be filed by 10th of the following month.

GSTR 2

GSTR-2 form has to be filed by a registered taxable recipient with details of the inward supplies of goods and services. The form will contain the following details:

• Business name, a period for which the return is filed, Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN).
• Invoices issued in the previous month and the corresponding taxes collected.
• Advances received against a supply order that has to be delivered in the future.
• Revision in outward sales invoices from the previous tax periods.

GSTR-2 has to be filed by 15th of the following month.

GSTR 3

GSTR-3 form has to be filed by a registered taxpayer with details that are automatically populated by from GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 returns forms. The taxpayer has to verify and make modifications, if any. GSTR-3 return form will contain the following details:

• Details about Input Tax Credit, liability, and cash ledger.
• Details of tax paid under CGST, SGST, and IGST.
• Claim a refund of excess payment or request to carry forward the credit.

GSTR-3 has to be filed by 20th of the following month.

GSTR 4

GSTR-4 form has to be filed by taxpayers who have opted for the Composition Scheme. Taxpayers with small business or a turnover of up to Rs.75 lakh can opt for the Composition Scheme wherein he or she have to pay tax at a fixed rate based on the type of business. Taxpayers under this scheme will not have input tax credit facility. GSTR-4 quarterly return form will contain the following details:

• The total value of consolidated supply made during the period of return.
• Details of tax paid.
• Invoice-level purchase information.

GSTR-4 has to be filed by 18th of the following month.

GSTR 5

GSTR-5 form has to be filed by all registered non-resident taxpayers. This form will contain the following:

• Name and address of the taxpayer, GSTIN, and period of return.
• Details of outward supplies and inward supplies.
• Details of goods imported, any amendments in goods imported during the previous tax periods.
• Import of services, amendments in import of services
• Details of credit or debit notes, closing stock of goods, and refund claimed from cash ledger.

GSTR-5 has to be filed by 20th of the following month.

GSTR 6

GSTR-6 form has to be filed by all taxpayers who are registered as an Input Service Distributor. This form will contain the following:

• Name and address of the taxpayer, GSTIN, and period of return.
• Details of input credit distributed.
• Supplies received from registered persons.
• The amount of input credit availed under the current tax period.
• Details of inward supplies will be auto-populated from GSTR-1 and GSTR-5 return forms.
• Details of the receiver of input credit corresponding to his or her GSTIN.
• Details of credit or debit notes.
• Input tax credit received, input tax credit reverted, and input tax credit distributed as SGST, CGST, and IGST.

GSTR-6 has to be filed by 13th of the following month.

GSTR 7

GSTR-7 form has to be filed by all registered taxpayers who are required to deduct tax at source under the GST rule. This form will contain the following:

• Name and address of the taxpayer, GSTIN, and period of return.
• TDS details and amendments in invoice amount, TDS amount or contract details.
• TDS liability will be auto-populated. Details of fees for late filing of return and interest on delayed payment of TDS.
• Refund received from Electronic Cash Ledger will be auto-populated.

GSTR-7 has to be filed by 10th of the following month.

GSTR 8

GSTR-8 form has to be filed by all e-Commerce operators who are required to collect tax at source under the GST rule. This form will contain details of supplies effected and the amount of tax collected under Sub-section (1) of Section 43C of Model GST Law. Other details include:

• Name and address of the taxpayer, GSTIN, and period of return.
• Details of supplies made to registered taxable person and amendments, if any.
• Details of supplies made to unregistered persons.
• Details of Tax Collected at Source.
• TDS liability will be auto-populated. Details of fees for late filing of return and interest on delayed payment of TDS.

GSTR-8 has to be filed by 10th of the following month.

GSTR 9

GSTR-9 form is filed by normal taxpayers with details of all income and expenditure for the year. This detail will be regrouped in accordance with the monthly returns. The taxpayer will have the opportunity to make modifications in the information provided if required. GSTR-9 has to be filed by 31st December of the following financial year along with the audited copies of the annual accounts.

GSTR 10

GSTR-10 form has to be filed by any taxpayer who opts for cancellation of GST registration. This form will contain the following:

• Application Reference Number (ARN).

• Date of cancellation of GST registration.
• Unique ID of cancellation order.
• Date of cancellation order.
• Details of closing stock including amount of tax payable on closing stock.

GSTR-10 final return form has to be filed within 3 months of the date of cancellation or date of cancellation order, whichever is later.

GSTR 11

GSTR-11 form has to be filed by everyone who has been issued a Unique Identity Number (UIN) and claims a refund of the taxes paid on inward supplies. This form will contain the following details:

• Name of the government entity, UIN, and period of return.
• All inward purchases from GST registered supplier will be auto-populated.

Based on the above mentioned details, the tax refund will be made. GSTR-11 form has to be filed on 28th of the month, following the month for which supply was received.

How to File GST Returns with GSTN?

The Goods and Service Tax Network will store information of all GST registered sellers and buyers, combine the submitted details, and maintain registers for future reference. Companies have to file 3 monthly returns every 3 months and one annual return in a financial year (37 returns in total). GSTN has launched a simple excel based template to make the filing of returns easier for businesses. This excel workbook can be downloaded from the GST common portal free of charge. Taxpayers can use this template to collate invoice data regularly. The details of inward and outward supplies can be uploaded on the GST portal on or before the due date. The data preparation can be done offline. Only while uploading the prepared file on the GST portal will the taxpayer need the Internet.

How to check GST Returns Status?

The official GST Login Portal allows you to check the status of your GST Returns. There are 3 different methods for the same. The methods are as follows:

• Tracking the status using the ‘Return Filing Period’ option
• Tracking the status using the ‘ARN’ option
• Tracking the status using the ‘Status’ option

Tracking the status using the ‘Return Filing Period’ option

• Step 1: Use your credentials to log in to the online GST Portal.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Services’ tab from the top menu.
• Step 3: Navigate to ‘Track Return Status’ under the ‘Returns’ option.
• Step 4: Select the ’Return Filing Period’ option.
• Step 5: In the next page, select the financial year and the return filing period from the respective drop-down boxes.
• Step 6: Click on the ‘Search’ button and the status of the GST Return will be displayed on your screen.

Tracking the status using the ‘ARN’ option

• Step 1: Use your credentials to log in to the online GST Portal.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Services’ tab from the top menu.
• Step 3: Navigate to ‘Track Return Status’ under the ‘Returns’ option.
• Step 4: Select the ’ARN’ option.
• Step 5: Enter the ARN in the field provided.
• Step 6: Click on the ‘Search’ button and the status of the GST Return will be displayed on your screen

Tracking the status using the ‘Status’ option

• Step 1: Use your credentials to log in to the online GST Portal.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Services’ tab from the top menu.
• Step 3: Navigate to ‘Track Return Status’ under the ‘Returns’ option.
• Step 4: Select the ’Status’ option.
• Step 5: Select the Status of Return that you are looking for from the drop-down box.
• Step 6: Click on the ‘Search’ button and the status of the GST Return will be displayed on your screen.

How to Download GST Returns?

You can download your GST Returns from the official GST Portal. You can follow the steps mentioned below to download your GST Returns:

• Step 1: Use your credentials to log in to the online GST Portal.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Services’ tab from the top menu.
• Step 3: Navigate to ‘Returns Dashboard’ under the ‘Returns’ option.
• Step 4: In the next page, select the financial year and the return filing period from the respective drop-down boxes.
• Step 5: Click on the ‘Search’ button and select the GTR that you want to download.
• Step 6: Click on the ‘Prepare Offline’ button under the selected GSTR.
• Step 7: Navigate to the ‘Download’ option and click on ‘Generate File’.
• Step 8: In general, the request for the generation of the file takes around 20 minutes.
• Step 9: Once the file is generated, a download link will be generated. Click on the ‘Click Here’ option to download the ZIP file containing your GST Returns.

Penalty for late filing of GST Returns

A penalty will be levied on the taxpayer in case he/she fails to file the returns on time. This penalty is called the late fee. As per the GST Law, the late fee is Rs.100 for each day for each Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and State Goods and Services Tax (SGST). Thus, the total fine amount will be Rs.200 per day. However, this rate is subject to changes which will be announced through notifications. The maximum amount of fine that can be levied is Rs.5,000. Integrated GST or IGST does not attract any late fee in case the return filing is delayed. The taxpayer will also be required to pay an interest at the rate of 18% p.a. in addition to the late fee. This interest has to be calculated by the taxpayer on the amount of tax that is to be paid. The time period will be calculated from the day following the filing deadline till the date when the actual payment is made.