How to file GST returns in India?

After the introduction of GST in India on 1st July 2017, every registered taxpayer must file the GST returns by the due dates to avoid the levy of hefty penalties and fines. In this blog, we have explained the complete aspects of GST returns, including the meaning of GST return, their type, and the procedure to file GST returns.

One Nation, One Tax

"One Nation, One Tax" is the basic motive behind introducing the GST regime in India. With the introduction of GST, India's Government has attempted to streamline the country's taxation system. Under the GST regime, the registered taxpayers must submit detailed information regarding the transactions. Moreover, under the new regime, more stringent compliances are prescribed to avoid tax evasion. To ensure that taxpayers are compliant with the regulations, the provision of hefty penalties and fines are also made by the Government.

Benefits of GST Regime in India

To promote the ease of doing business in India, the Ministry of Finance has developed a widespread IT system facilitating the recording of invoices and data of taxpayers in one place. Further, under the GST regime, taxpayers can easily obtain GST registration, file returns and upload invoices on the online portal of Goods and service tax.

What is a GST return?

A GST return is a document containing the details of the sales and purchases undertaken by the taxable person. Every registered taxpayer must file these with the department within the specified due dates. The concept of GST returns has been crafted to ensure that all the transactions match each other and there is no transaction left unnoticed.

Types of GST Returns 

There are multiple types of GST returns depending upon the category of the taxpayer that is required to be filed by registered taxpayers. Let us take a brief look at each one of them.

1. Normal Taxpayers under GST:

GSTR-1 Return Form: This return shall be submitted to provide the details of outward supplies of taxable goods and/or services affected during the previous month. The return should be filed by the tenth of the succeeding month.

GSTR-2A Return Form: It will be auto-generated and made available on the eleventh of the succeeding month for the recipients to see and validate the information therein. The recipients are empowered to make any modifications or amendments based on their books of accounts from the eleventh-fifteenth of the succeeding month.

GSTR-2 Return Form: This return is the culmination of all inward supplies of goods and services as approved by the recipient of the services. This form must be filed by the 15th of the next month. The details of GSTR-2A will be auto-populated in it.

GSTR-1A Return Form: After filing GSTR-2 on the 15th of the subsequent month, the details in the GSTR-1A will be auto-generated. It will contain the details of all the modifications made. The supplier shall have the choice to accept or reject the changes made by the recipient. If the supplier accepts the changes, then GSTR-1 will stand revised.

GSTR-3 Return Form: The details of all outward and inward supplies of goods and services as filed in GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 are furnished through this return. GSTN will determine the tax liability and input tax credit availability after considering the details of both returns.

GSTR-3A Return Form: Through this return, a notice will be given to the person who fails to furnish the returns within the due dates. It will be generated after fifteen days from the default.

GSTR-9 Return Form: Every registered taxpayer must file GSTR-9 by 31st December of the succeeding month. It is a sum-up of all 12 monthly GSTR-3 filed by the taxpayer and will contain the details of tax paid during the year along with the details of exports and imports. 

GST ITC-1 Return Form: After the details filed under the GSTR-3 are fully accepted, the final input tax credit shall be communicated through form GST ITC-1. The details of ITC-1 should be confirmed in due time to avail of the credit for that month. If the same is not done in due time, it will disallow the credit for the month and will be computed as a tax liability for the month instead.

2. Composite Tax Payers under GST:

GSTR-4A Return Form: Every taxpayer registered under the composition scheme must file a quarterly return in GSTR-4A. It will contain the details of inward supplies reported by suppliers in GSTR-1.

GSTR-4 Return Form: Through auto-generated details of GSTR-4A, the taxpayer can furnish all his outward supplies here. It will also contain the details of the tax payable. It must be filed on a quarterly basis and 18th of the subsequent month.

GSTR-9A Return Form: Every composite taxpayer must file their annual return by 31st December of the subsequent fiscal year. It will contain the consolidated details of the quarterly returns filed and the tax paid.

3. Non-resident Taxpayer under GST:

GSTR-5 Return Form: Every non-resident taxpayer must file GSTR-5, containing the particulars of outward supplies, imports, tax paid, input tax availed and remaining stock. The due date for the filing of GSTR-5 is the 20th of the subsequent month, or if the registration is given up, within seven days from the registration expiry.

4. Input Service Provider under GST:

GSTR-6A Return Form: This return is required to be filed on a monthly basis by ISD. By the 11th of the subsequent month, this form will get auto-generated. The details in this form will be auto-populated from the details of inward supplies made to them. 

GSTR-6 Return Form: Once the ISD accepts the details filed in the GSTR-6A, then GSTR-6 will get generated. The due date for filing this return by the ISD will be the 13th of the subsequent month.

Procedure for filing GST returns in India

For filing the GST returns, you can visit the official website of GST, log in to your account and upload the details of your invoices. If you are facing any problems filing your GST return, you can get them easily filed with Registrationwala.  One important thing to be noted here is that it is very important to take utmost care while filing correct returns.

Before filing for the GST returns on your company or intellectual property, you must ensure that the concerned entity is registered with the Authority. For this, you can avail of Registrationwala's incorporation services, such as Company Registration or Trademark registration services. Our seasoned professionals can aid you throughout the registration procedure. To know further about the GST returns filing procedure, connect with the Taxation Department at Registrationwala.

Author: Dushyant Sharma

Hey there, I'm Dushyant Sharma. With the extensive knowledge I've gained in past 8 years, I have been creating content on various subjects such as banking, insurance, telecom, and all the important registration and licensing processes for various companies. I'm here to help everyone with my expertise in these areas through my articles.