Navigating the world of GST returns can be challenging, but staying on top of your filings is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties. Whether you’re a small business or a larger enterprise, understanding the various types of GST returns, their due dates, and how to file them will help you manage your tax obligations efficiently. Here’s what you need to know to stay on track with your GST filings.
What is a GST Return?
A GST return is a formal document that businesses registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are required to file with the tax authorities. It contains detailed information about a business’s sales, purchases, and the taxes paid or collected during a specific period. The main purpose of filing a GST return is to report the tax liability, which includes the amount of GST collected on sales (output tax) and the GST paid on purchases (input tax credit).
These returns help the government ensure that the correct amount of GST is paid and that businesses are compliant with tax regulations. There are different types of GST returns, depending on the nature of the business and its turnover, with specific due dates for each.
Who Should File a GST Return?
GST return filing is mandatory for businesses and individuals registered under GST. Here’s who needs to file:
- GST-Registered Businesses: All businesses with a turnover exceeding the GST registration threshold (Rs. 40 lakhs for goods, Rs. 20 lakhs for services) must file returns detailing sales, purchases, and taxes paid/collected.
- Composition Scheme Taxpayers: Small businesses with turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore can opt for this simplified scheme and file quarterly returns (GSTR-4), but they can’t claim input tax credits.
- E-Commerce Operators: Platforms like Amazon or Flipkart must file GSTR-8 detailing tax collected at source (TCS) on transactions through their platform.
- Non-Resident Taxable Persons: Foreign businesses conducting taxable supplies in India must file GSTR-5 monthly.
- Input Service Distributors (ISDs): Businesses that distribute input tax credit across branches must file GSTR-6 monthly.
- Other Special Cases: TDS/TCS deductors (GSTR-7), and businesses dealing with UIN holders (GSTR-11), must also file returns.
Exemptions: Small businesses below the turnover threshold and those dealing exclusively in exempted goods/services may not need to file. We can help you to file your GST.
Types of GST Returns and their due dates
Here’s a comprehensive list of GST returns that must be filed, along with their respective due dates:
| Return Form | Description | Frequency | Due Date |
| GSTR-1 | Outward supplies of taxable goods/services. | Monthly | 11th of the following month.Quarterly (if opted under QRMP scheme) |
| IFF (optional under QRMP) | B2B supplies of taxable goods/services. | Monthly (first two months of the quarter) | 13th of the following month. |
| GSTR-3B | Summary of outward supplies and input tax credit claimed, including tax payment. | Monthly | 20th of the following month.Quarterly (for QRMP taxpayers) |
| CMP-08 | Statement-cum-challan for tax payment under the composition scheme (Section 10 of CGST Act). | Quarterly | 18th of the following month. |
| GSTR-4 | Return for composition scheme taxpayers. | Annually | 30th of the month following the financial year (up to FY 23-24).30th June following the financial year (FY 24-25 onwards). |
| GSTR-5 | Return for non-resident taxable persons. | Monthly | 20th of the following month.(Amended to 13th by Budget 2022; notification pending from CBIC.) |
| GSTR-5A | Return for non-resident OIDAR service providers. | Monthly | 20th of the following month. |
| GSTR-6 | Return for input service distributors to allocate eligible input tax credit. | Monthly | 13th of the following month. |
| GSTR-7 | Return for registered persons deducting tax at source (TDS). | Monthly | 10th of the following month. |
| GSTR-8 | Return for e-commerce operators detailing supplies and tax collected at source. | Monthly | 10th of the following month. |
| GSTR-9 | Annual return for regular taxpayers. | Annually | 31st December of the following financial year. |
| GSTR-9C | Self-certified reconciliation statement. | Annually | 31st December of the following financial year. |
| GSTR-10 | Final return for cancelled GST registration. | Once | Within three months of cancellation or cancellation order, whichever is later. |
| GSTR-11 | Details of inward supplies for persons with UIN claiming refunds. | Monthly | 28th of the following month. |
| ITC-04 | Statement from principal/job-worker regarding goods sent/received. | Annually (AATO up to Rs. 5 crore)Half-yearly (AATO > Rs. 5 crore) | 25th April for AATO up to Rs. 5 crore.25th April and 25th October for AATO exceeding Rs. 5 crore. |
Note:
- AATO = Annual Aggregate Turnover
- For taxpayers with AATO ≤ Rs. 5 crore who opt for the QRMP scheme, the due dates are 22nd of the month following the quarter for Category X states/UTs and 24th for Category Y states/UTs.
Category X States/UTs: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.
Category Y States/UTs: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, New Delhi.
Upcoming GST Due Dates Until September 2024
For your convenience, here’s the GST calendar outlining the upcoming due dates for all returns up to September 2024:
GSTR-1
Quarterly Filing (for annual turnover up to Rs. 5 crore):
- Quarter: Due Date*
- Apr-Jun 2024: 13th July 2024
- Jul-Sept 2024: 13th Oct 2024
*Note: Taxpayers with turnover up to Rs. 5 crore can report their B2B sales for the first two months of the quarter using the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF). The deadline for IFF is the 13th of the following month. GSTR-1 must still be filed quarterly, but invoices reported in the IFF need not be duplicated in GSTR-1.
Monthly Filing (for annual turnover above Rs. 5 crore):
- Month: Due Date*
- April 2024: 11th May 2024
- May 2024: 11th June 2024
- June 2024: 11th July 2024
- July 2024: 11th August 2024
- August 2024: 11th September 2024
- September 2024: 11th October 2024
GSTR-2 and GSTR-3
Currently suspended.
GSTR-3B
This is a monthly summary return for all taxpayers, excluding those under the composition scheme.
Quarterly Filing (for annual turnover up to Rs. 5 crore):
- Quarter: Due Date*
- Apr-Jun 2024: 22nd or 24th July 2024***
- Jul-Sept 2024: 22nd or 24th Oct 2024***
Monthly Filing (for annual turnover above Rs. 5 crore):
- Month: Due Date*
- April 2024: 20th May 2024
- May 2024: 20th June 2024
- June 2024: 20th July 2024
- July 2024: 20th August 2024
- August 2024: 20th September 2024
- September 2024: 20th October 2024
Due dates depend on the state category:
- Category X: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.
- Category Y: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, New Delhi.
PMT-06
Taxpayers with an annual turnover up to Rs. 5 crore can file GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B quarterly under the QRMP scheme and must pay taxes monthly using PMT-06. Due dates are:
- Period: Due Date*
- April 2024: 25th May 2024
- May 2024: 25th June 2024
- June 2024: 25th July 2024
- July 2024: 25th July 2024
CMP-08
Quarterly Filing:
- Period: Due Date*
- Apr-Jun 2024: 18th July 2024
- Jul-Sept 2024: 18th Oct 2024
GSTR-4
The due date to file GSTR-4 (annual return for composition taxpayers) for FY 2023-24 is 30th April 2024. For FY 2024-25, the due date is 30th June 2025, subject to revision in future years.
GSTR-5
Monthly Filing (for non-resident taxable persons):
- Period: Due Date*
- April 2024: 13th May 2024
- May 2024: 13th June 2024
- June 2024: 13th July 2024
- July 2024: 13th August 2024
- August 2024: 13th September 2024
- September 2024: 13th October 2024
GSTR-5A
Monthly Filing (for OIDAR service providers):
- Period: Due Date*
- April 2024: 20th May 2024
- May 2024: 20th June 2024
- June 2024: 20th July 2024
- July 2024: 20th August 2024
- August 2024: 20th September 2024
- September 2024: 20th October 2024
GSTR-6
Monthly Filing (for Input Service Distributors):
- Period: Due Date*
- April 2024: 13th May 2024
- May 2024: 13th June 2024
- June 2024: 13th July 2024
- July 2024: 13th August 2024
- August 2024: 13th September 2024
- September 2024: 13th October 2024
GSTR-7
Monthly Filing (for TDS):
- Period: Due Date*
- April 2024: 10th May 2024
- May 2024: 10th June 2024
- June 2024: 10th July 2024
- July 2024: 10th August 2024
- August 2024: 10th September 2024
- September 2024: 10th October 2024
GSTR-8
Monthly Filing (for TCS by e-commerce operators):
- Period: Due Date*
- April 2024: 10th May 2024
- May 2024: 10th June 2024
- June 2024: 10th July 2024
- July 2024: 10th August 2024
- August 2024: 10th September 2024
- September 2024: 10th October 2024
GSTR-9
The due date for filing GSTR-9 (annual return) for FY 2023-24 is 31st December 2024.
GSTR-9C
GSTR-9C (annual self-certified reconciliation statement) is due on 31st December 2024 for taxpayers with turnover exceeding Rs. 5 crore.
ITC-04
- For annual turnover over Rs. 5 crore: Half-yearly – April-September 2024 due on 25th October 2024, and October-March 2025 due on 25th April 2025.
- For annual turnover up to Rs. 5 crore: Yearly due on 25th April 2025.
This statement is to be filed by a principal/job-worker regarding goods sent to/received from a job worker.
How to File GST Returns
To file a GST return, start by logging into the official GST portal (www.gst.gov.in) using your GSTIN and password. Once logged in, select the appropriate return form (such as GSTR-1 for sales or GSTR-3B for monthly summary) based on your business type. Enter details of your sales, purchases, and taxes paid or collected during the return period. After filling in the required information, reconcile the data to ensure everything is accurate, especially your input tax credit (ITC) and output tax. If there are no discrepancies, proceed to pay any tax due through the portal’s payment options. Once the payment is made, submit the return. You will receive an acknowledgment with a unique ARN (Acknowledgment Reference Number), confirming that the return has been successfully filed. Make sure to download and save a copy of the filed return for your records.
Consequences of Non-Filing of GST Returns
Failure to file GST returns within the prescribed timelines can lead to significant financial and legal consequences for your business, including:
1. Interest on Outstanding Tax:
In the event of delayed filing, interest is charged at an annual rate of 18% on the outstanding tax amount. The interest is calculated from the day following the due date until the tax is fully paid.
2. Late Fees:
A late fee is levied for each day the return remains unfiled. The fee is Rs. 100 per day for CGST and Rs. 100 per day for SGST, totalling Rs. 200 per day. However, the late fee is subject to a cap based on the taxpayer’s turnover:
– Nil Central Tax Payable: Maximum late fee of Rs. 250 (CGST + SGST).
– Turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore: Maximum late fee of Rs. 1,000 (CGST + SGST).
– Turnover between Rs. 1.5 crore and Rs. 5 crore: Maximum late fee of Rs. 2,500 (CGST + SGST).
3. Disallowance of Input Tax Credit (ITC):
Non-filing of GST returns may result in the disallowance of Input Tax Credit (ITC) on business purchases, leading to an increase in your tax liability. This can negatively affect your cash flow and the financial health of your business.
4.Legal Implications and Increased Scrutiny:
Continuous failure to file GST returns may trigger notices, audits, or penalties from tax authorities. In severe cases, your GST registration could be suspended or canceled, leading to potential business disruptions.
5. Restrictions on Business Transactions:
Non-compliance with GST filing obligations can restrict your ability to issue valid invoices, claim refunds, or engage in other tax-related transactions, which may disrupt business operations and contractual relationships.
To mitigate these risks and ensure continued business operations, it is critical to file GST returns accurately and on time, maintaining compliance with applicable tax regulations.
FAQ’S
Q1. What is the due date for filing GST returns?
The due date for filing GST returns depends on the type of return and the taxpayer’s turnover. For example, GSTR-1 (sales return) is due by the 11th of the following month, while GSTR-3B (tax summary) is due by the 20th of the following month.
Q2. Can I file GST returns quarterly?
Yes, businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 5 crore can opt for the Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme, allowing them to file returns quarterly while paying taxes monthly.
Q3. What happens if I miss the GST return filing deadline?
Missing the filing deadline can lead to late fees and interest charges. A penalty of Rs. 100 per day (CGST + SGST) is levied for delayed filing, with a cap of Rs. 5,000. Interest on any unpaid taxes is charged at 18% per annum.
Q4. How do I claim Input Tax Credit (ITC)
ITC can be claimed on purchases made for business purposes, provided you have valid invoices and the supplier has filed their returns. It is important to reconcile the input tax credit claimed with your purchase details to avoid errors.
Q5. What documents are required to file GST returns?
You will need purchase and sales invoices, tax payment details, GSTIN, bank account details, and other documents depending on the type of return being filed.
Q6. What is the difference between GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B?
GSTR-1 is a monthly or quarterly return for reporting sales, while GSTR-3B is a summary return that outlines the taxes owed (both output and input tax credit) for the period. GSTR-1 is filed for detailed sales information, while GSTR-3B is for tax calculation and payment.
Conclusion:
Filing GST returns is a crucial part of tax compliance for businesses registered under GST. By following the correct procedure and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that your returns are filed accurately and on time, minimizing the risk of penalties. Regularly monitoring your return status and keeping accurate records will help maintain smooth operations and tax compliance. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, staying on top of your GST obligations will help ensure your business stays on the right side of the law and avoids unnecessary complications.
