What is GST Returns?
With the implementation of GST There has been a major restructuring happening in the Tax regime of the country. And the number of people registering under GST regime is far higher than the total registered taxpayers in the previous tax regime under various Acts including VAT, service tax and excise duty. GST has created a wider tax base, this allows the government to lower tax rate and keep track of business sector in a better manner.
These registered taxpayers are mandated by law to do various compliances. One of the most important compliance under GST is to file GST Returns on regular intervals. GST returns are filed with all the required information relating to purchases, sales, Tax collected, ITC etc. After filing in all the relevant information tax liability is computed and paid off.
How to File GST Returns?
GST Return filing procedure is quite straight forward. The registered taxpayer is required to login on GST portal with their login credentials. Once logged in, go on the returns page and file the respective forms by filing in the required information. The computed tax liability is also paid off at the time of final filing of the returns.
Types of Returns
Under this new regime various returns are required to be filed. The no of returns required to be filed depend on the nature of taxpayer.
Returns for a Normal Taxpayer
| RETURNS | PARTICULAR | DUE DATE |
|---|---|---|
| GSTR-1 | Details of Outward Supplies | 10th of the next month |
| GSTR-2 | Details of Inward Supplies | 15th of the next month |
| GSTR-3 | Monthly Return for tax payment | 20th of the next month |
| GSTR-9 | Annual return | 31st December of next financial year |
Returns for a Composition Taxpayer
| RETURNS | PARTICULAR | DUE DATE |
|---|---|---|
| GSTR-4 | Quarterly return | 18th of month succeeding every quarter |
| GSTR-9 | Annual return | 31st December of next financial year |
Extra Returns based on Nature of Business
| RETURNS | PARTICULAR | DUE DATE | Filed By |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSTR-5 | Details of Inward and outward Supplies. Tax liability computation | 20th of the next month. For last month either 20th of next month or 7 days after expiration, whichever is earlier. | Non-Resident Taxable Person |
| GSTR-6 | Distribution of Input Tax credit | 13th of next month | Input Service Distributor |
| GSTR-7 | TDS details or any related modifications | 10th of next month | Authorities deducting tax at source |
| GSTR-8 | Details of supplies effected through them. | 10th of next month | E-commerce Operator who collect tax at source |
The above stated returns are mandated by Central Goods and Service Act, 2017. But, as the GST is altogether a new concept, it's not that easy for the taxpayers to adjust right way. Therefore, with a view to make this transition to the new tax regime easy some relaxations have been introduced by the authorities.
GST Council had issued following notifications in reference to GST return filing:
- Filing of GSTR-2 and GSTR-3 are suspended till any further notice on the same.
- Only GSTR-1 is required to be filed.
- GSTR-3B is required to be filed on 20th of next month. This return contains details of inward as well as outward supplies, tax liability computation and tax payment. GSTR-3B is filed whenever there is any delay in filing of the regular returns.
- All the registered taxpayers with expected turnover of Rs. 1.5 Crore or less are given an option to file quarterly returns in place of monthly.
