Filing GST Returns in India

Conditions under which Filing for GST Return are Applicable

• As per GST law, every registered dealer under GST is required to file a return. A return needs to be filed even if there is no business activity during the tax period.
• Government entities or Public-Sector Units (PSU’s) who doesn’t deal in GST supplies or persons exclusively dealing in exempted or non-GST Goods or Services are not required to file a return of GST.

Returns by Composite Taxpayers

Composite Tax is a flat rate of tax which is to be paid based on the turnover of the business in a specific period. It doesn’t take input credits for their purchases. Composite taxpayers are required to file GSTR-4, which is to be filed quarterly.

The Types of Returns that can be Filed under GST

There are various returns which are needed to be furnished under GST Law. GST law states that normal taxpayers must furnish three returns every month and one return must be furnished annually. Taxpayer registered under the composition scheme must file separate returns.

The below table provides the required details for furnishing the returns under the GST law:

Form Type	Who needs to file for it	Due date for filing return Form	What must be filed?
GSTR-1	Registered Taxable supplier	10th of the subsequent month	Aspects of all outward supplies of goods and services during the month
GSTR-2	Registered Taxable Recipient	15th of the subsequent month	Details of all input supplies of goods and services effected during the month and claiming tax credit
GSTR-3	Registered Taxable Person	20th of the subsequent month	Monthly return on the finalization of the outward and inward supplies along with the amount of tax payable
GSTR-4	Composition supplier	18th of the next succeeding quarter	Quarterly return for compounding Taxpayers
GSTR-5	Non-Resident taxable person	20th of the subsequent month	In this return has to be filed for a Non-Resident Foreign taxable person
GSTR-6	Input service Distributor	13th of the subsequent month	Return has to be filed for input service distributor
GSTR-7	Tax Deductor	10th of the subsequent month	Return to the authorities who deduct tax at source
GSTR-8	Tax Collector	10th of the subsequent month	Details of the amount of tax collected
GSTR-9	Registered taxable person	31st December of the next financial year	Annual Return
GSTR-10	A taxable person whose registration has been canceled	Within 3 months of the cancellation date or date of cancellation order, whichever is later	Final Return
GSTR-11	An individual having Unique Identification Number (UIN) and claiming a refund	28 of the month, following the month in which the ITR has been filed	Details regarding inward supplies need to be furnished by a person having Unique Identification Number (UIN)

All these returns are needed to be filed online through a common portal which is to be provided by a GSTN.

As per Section 45, every person with GST registration must furnish a final return. In Form GSTR-10, this return is to be furnished electronically via GSTN portal directly or through a facilitation center, notified by the commissioner.

Procedure for Filing GST Returns

• The taxpayer must upload final GSTR-1 return by any of the modes, either directly or through data entry in GST portal by the 10th of the succeeding month.
• The increase or decrease in supply invoices will be calculated as per GSTR-2.
• GST common portal will be automatically generated in GSTR-2. The taxpayer can accept, reject, or modify the provisions in GSTR-2.
• Purchasing taxpayer can submit additional purchase invoice details in the GSTR-2 before it gets uploaded by the supplier, to ensure that the invoice is valid.
• Inward supplies carried out by suppliers during the next 7 days, can be reconciled by the taxpayers with their counterparty taxpayers. This is applicable in the case of any missing supply invoices in GSTR-1 of the supplies.
• By using the GSTN complaint offline facility or by the online common portal, taxpayers can finalize their GSTR-1 and GSTR-2.
• The amount shown in the drafted GSTR-3 return (generated automatically) will be payable by the taxpayer at the online portal, post finalization of activities.
• In GST-3 return, the taxpayer will debit both cash ledger, ITC and mention the debit entry system, which must then be submitted.

Filing of GST through Tax Return Prepare (TRP) Scheme

• A separate User ID and password is issued to the taxpayers with TRP registration.
• A return will be prepared in the prescribed format as per the information furnished by the taxpayer. With user ID and password, all types of returns can be uploaded on TRP.
• An e-mail or SMS alert containing the date of the returns will be sent automatically to the taxpayer.
• A taxpayer will accept the correctness of the return and will submit it on the link provided in the e-mail or SMS. In case the taxpayer doesn’t respond to the e-mail, it will be considered that return is not submitted.

Submission of any other document will not be required. The data required for accounting shall be provided by the taxpayer to the audit party, deputed by the CBEC, State Tax Authorities and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

Benefits of GST

Returns Under Composition Scheme

Income Tax Slab for Senior Citizens (Ages between 60 to 80 years)

Form	Time	Due Date	Includes
GSTR-4	Quarterly	18th of the succeeding month	Details of outward supplies Interstate supplies (Both Interstate and Intrastate) from registered as well as unregistered dealers. If any change is to be made in inward supplies as per Form GSTR-4A.
GSTR-4A	Quarterly	-	Details of inward supplies on the basis of GSTR-1 filed by the supplier
GSTR-9A	Annually	31st December of the next year	Details of the quarterly returns filed by the suppliers