GST Return Forms

A GST return is a document mandated by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law, which must be submitted by any taxpayer registered under GST for each corresponding GST identification number (GSTIN). It is crucial to ensure the active status of the GSTIN by consistently fulfilling return filing obligations. Our GST search tool provides a convenient means to verify this status

Were you aware that the GST Rules specify a total of 22 types of GST returns? Interestingly, only 11 of them are currently active, while 4 are suspended, and 8 are view-only. The specific GST return obligations for a business or professional depend on their taxpayer category, which can include designations like regular taxpayer, composition taxable persons, e-commerce operators, TDS deductors, non-resident taxpayers, Input Service Distributors (ISD), casual taxable persons, and more

When to File GST Returns?

Considering the mandatory nature of filing returns under GST, it is crucial to submit a NIL return even when there are no transactions to report. Nonetheless, it’s essential to be aware of the following:

Filing a return is not possible if the return for the preceding month or quarter has not been submitted.
Late filing of GST returns incurs substantial penalties and fines, leading to potential cascading effects.
The late filing fee for GSTR-1 is documented in the liability ledger of the subsequent GSTR-3B filed immediately after the delay.

Interest and Late Fee Payment

Interest accrues at a rate of 18% per annum, computed by the taxpayer on the outstanding tax amount, starting from the day following the due date until the actual payment date. This calculation is based on the net tax liability identified in the ledger at the time of payment.

As per the CGST Act, the late fee is set at Rs. 100 per day per Act, totaling Rs. 100 under CGST and Rs. 100 under SGST, with a maximum cap of Rs. 5,000. The IGST Act does not stipulate a separate late fee. Notably, for GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, the overall late fee has been reduced to Rs. 50 per day (Rs. 20 per day for NIL filing).

For detailed information on late fees associated with various GST return periods, please consult our article on late fees under GST.

Types of GST Returns and Due dates

GSTR-1

Filed by normal GST-registered taxpayers, including casual taxable persons.
Reports outward supplies (goods and services), including invoices and debit-credit notes.
Amendments to sales invoices must be reported.
Filing frequency: Monthly by the 11th or quarterly by the 13th for businesses in the QRMP scheme.

GSTR-2A

View-only return for recipients, auto-populated with data from corresponding suppliers’ GSTR-1.
Used to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) by buyers.
Replaced by GSTR-2B for ITC claims from August 2020.

GSTR-2B

Static view-only return for recipients, available monthly.
Provides constant ITC data for a period.
Action details for each invoice reported.

GSTR-3

Suspended monthly summary return.
Included details from GSTR-1 and GSTR-2.
Auto-generated based on the aforementioned returns.

GSTR-3B

Monthly self-declaration summarizing outward supplies, ITC, tax liability, and payments.
Reconciliation with GSTR-1 and GSTR-2B is crucial.
Filing frequency: Monthly by the 20th or quarterly based on turnover.

GSTR-4

Annual return for composition taxable persons.
Replaced quarterly filing from FY 2019-20.
Applicable to businesses with turnover up to Rs.1.5 crores.

GSTR-5

Monthly return for non-resident foreign taxpayers.
Reports outward and inward supplies, credit/debit notes, tax liability, and taxes paid.

GSTR-6

Monthly return for Input Service Distributors (ISD).
Includes details of input tax credit received and distributed.

GSTR-7

Monthly return for TDS deductors.
Reports TDS deducted, liability, and refund claimed.

GSTR-8

Monthly return for e-commerce operators collecting tax at source (TCS).
Details supplies made through the platform and TCS collected.

GSTR-9

Annual return for all GST-registered taxpayers, excluding certain exceptions.
Consolidates monthly/quarterly returns filed during the financial year.

GSTR-9C

Reconciliation statement filed by taxpayers with turnover exceeding Rs.5 crore along with GSTR-9.

GSTR-10

Final return filed by those with cancelled or surrendered registration.

GSTR-11

Return for persons issued a Unique Identity Number (UIN) seeking GST refund for goods and services purchased in India.

Interest and Late fee to be paid

Interest and late fees under the GST framework are crucial aspects to understand. Here’s a breakdown:

Interest:
Rate: 18% per annum.
Calculation: Applied on the outstanding tax amount, based on the net tax liability identified in the ledger at the payment time.
Time Period: From the day following the filing due date until the actual payment date.

Late Fee (CGST and SGST):
- Amount: Rs.100 per day per Act (CGST and SGST), resulting in a total of Rs.200/day.
- Maximum Levy: Capped at Rs.5,000 per Act.

Late Fee (IGST):
- No separate late fee is prescribed under the IGST Act.

GSTR-9/9C Late Fee:
- Maximum late fee per Act is capped at 0.25% of turnover in the state or Union Territory.
- Late fees may be reduced based on relief schemes provided by the government.
- Stay updated on the latest late fees by checking individual return pages.

For detailed insights into late fees across various GST return periods, refer to our comprehensive article on late fees under GST.

GST Return Forms

When to File GST Returns?

Interest and Late Fee Payment

GST

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GST Return Forms

When to File GST Returns?

Interest and Late Fee Payment

GST

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Stay Connected

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