What is a GST Return?
A GST return is a document containing details of all income/sales and/or expenses/purchases that a GST-registered taxpayer (every GSTIN) is required to file with the tax administrative authorities. This is used by tax authorities to calculate net tax liability.
Under GST, a registered dealer has to file GST returns that broadly include:
- Purchases
- Sales
- Output GST (On sales)
- Input tax credit (GST paid on purchases)
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Who Should File GST Returns?
GST returns must be filed by any business or individual registered under the GST regime. This obligation applies to entities whose annual aggregate turnover surpasses the specified threshold, which is set by the tax authorities and may differ for various classifications of taxpayers, such as standard taxpayers and those opting for the composition scheme.
Returns are filed under GST?
- GSTR-1: Filed for disclosing details of outward supplies, essentially the sales.
- GSTR-3B: A summarized return that outlines both sales and purchases, inclusive of tax payments.
- GSTR-4: Applicable to those under the Composition Scheme, summarizing turnover and corresponding tax.
- GSTR-5: For non-resident taxpayers conducting taxable transactions in India.
- GSTR-5A: For providers of online information and database access or retrieval services.
- GSTR-6: Used by Input Service Distributors for detailing input tax credit distribution.
- GSTR-7: For entities required to deduct TDS under GST.
- GSTR-8: To be filed by e-commerce operators reporting transactions on their platform.
- GSTR-9: An annual comprehensive return summarizing all periodical filings over the fiscal year.
- GSTR-10: The final return upon cancellation or surrender of GST registration.
- GSTR-11: For those with a Unique Identity Number, claiming refunds on their purchases.
- CMP-08: A quarterly statement for Composition Scheme taxpayers detailing tax liability.
- ITC-04: For manufacturers to declare details about goods dispatched to and received from a job worker.
Additionally, there are return-related statements for input tax credits:
- GSTR-2A (dynamic): Offers a real-time perspective of inward supplies as suppliers report.
- GSTR-2B (static): Provides a fixed snapshot of inward supplies based on the suppliers' filings.
- For small taxpayers enrolled in the Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme, the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) permits the declaration of B2B sales during the first two months of a quarter. Nonetheless, these taxpayers are obligated to remit taxes monthly using Form PMT-06.
For GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B
GSTR-1 (Return for Outward Supplies)
GSTR-1 is the mandatory return for businesses to detail their outward supplies of goods and services. This encompasses all sales-related invoices and adjustment notes for the given tax period. Every regular taxpayer under GST, including those classified as casual taxable persons, is obligated to file GSTR-1.
Submission Deadlines
- Monthly: Due on the 11th of the subsequent month for businesses whose yearly turnover exceeds Rs. 5 crore or for those not enrolled in the QRMP scheme.
- Quarterly: Due on the 13th of the month after the quarter’s end for businesses participating in the QRMP scheme.
GSTR-3B (Consolidated Return)
GSTR-3B, a monthly summary declaration for normal taxpayers, summarizes outward supplies, input tax credits, and tax dues. Before submitting GSTR-3B, it is critical to reconcile sales and ITC details with GSTR-1 and GSTR-2B records.
Submission Deadlines
- Monthly: Due by the 20th of the month following the reporting month for taxpayers with an annual turnover above Rs. 5 crore.
- Quarterly: Due by the 22nd of the month following the quarter for ‘X’ category states and by the 24th for ‘Y’ category states for taxpayers with a turnover of up to Rs. 5 crore in the QRMP scheme.
Due dates for various types of GST returns
GST Return | Type of Taxpaye | Due Date |
GSTR-1 | Regular Taxpayer | Monthly: 11th of the following month Quarterly: 13th of the month following the quarter |
GSTR-2A (Auto-generated) | All Taxpayers | Auto-generated, utilized for reconciliation purposes |
GSTR-3B | Regular Taxpayer | Monthly: 20th of the following month |
GSTR-4 | Composition Scheme Dealer | Annually: 30th of April following the end of the financial year |
GSTR-5 | Non-Resident Foreign Taxpayer | 20th of the following month |
GSTR-6 | Input Service Distributor | 13th of the following month |
GSTR-7 | Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) | 10th of the following month |
GSTR-8 | E-commerce Operator | 10th of the following month |
GSTR-9 | Regular Taxpayer (Annual) | 31st December of the following financial year |
GSTR-9C | Regular Taxpayer (Annual) | Filed along with GSTR-9, by 31st December of the following financial year |