GST Returns: How to File, Types of GST Forms, Due Dates & Penalties

The introduction of GST eliminated the need for businesses to file returns for multiple indirect taxes. Now, the registered businesses are required to file a single tax return annually, quarterly, and/or monthly, based on their business type. If you have no prior experience with filing GST return , here are a few essential things you should know:

Every business registered under GST must file GST return twice in a month along with one return that is filed annually. While it might look like filing two returns every month can be a tedious process, the government has automated the process to a major extent.You are only required to fill details on the GSTR-1 form manually. GSTR 3B, which is the next form you must file every month is auto-populated based on the details you and your vendors enter in GSTR-1.

There are many GST return types , which a business is required to file at different intervals. Here is a list of some of the most common ones-

• GSTR-1: Monthly filed returns of outward supplies
• GSTR-3B: Monthly-filed return which constitutes a summary of your outward supplies and the input tax credit
• GSTR-9: Annually filed return for all businesses

Similarly, there are other returns such as GSTR-5, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-9A, etc. for different taxpayers and purposes.

Just like the different types of returns, GST return due dates are also different. For instance, the due date for filing GSTR-1 is 11thof the next month. The same for GSTR-3B is 20thof the next month. For GSTR-9 which is filed annually, the due date is 31stDecember of the next financial year.

If GST return filing online is not done before the due date, you will be required to pay a late fee and interest. The current penalty interest is 18% per annum which is calculated on your total outstanding tax. The period considered will be from the next day of the due date until you pay the tax.There is also a late fee of Rs. 100 on CGST and SGST separately which can be up to Rs. 5,000. However, IGST does not have any late fee. GST return process is easy, and the laws are stringent to prevent tax evasion and late payments. Keep the details mentioned above in mind if you are new to GST to make sure that your business files the correct returns on time and remains protected against penalties and interest payment.

• GSTR-1 is used for the outward supply of goods and services made. Any taxpayer registered under GST has to file GST-1. This can be filed monthly or quarterly. The due date for monthly is the 11th of every month. For quarterly, it is the 13th of the month following every quarter. Businesses who have opted for QRMP (Quarter Return and Monthly Payment) scheme can opt for quarterly. Those who haven’t opted for the QRMP scheme and have an annual turnover of more than 5 crores should file GST on monthly basis.
• GSTR-2A is used only for viewing, which contains the details of all inward supply of goods. It is used as a reference to claim an Input Tax Credit (ITC) for every financial year.
• GSTR-2B is also used only for viewing. It provides a solution for any action to be taken against every invoice uploaded, such as ineligible, reversed, and reference to table number in GSTR-3B.
• GSTR-2 is currently suspended. It had to be auto-populated from GSTR-2A, and it could be edited.
• GSTR-3 is also suspended. It provided the monthly summary returns along with details of tax liability and tax paid.
• GSTR-3B has to be filled every month. A summarised detail of all outward supplies, tax claimed, tax liability and tax paid. The due date is the 20th of every month for taxpayers with an aggregate turnover of more than 5 crores. The due date is the 22nd and 24th of every month, depending upon the state in which the taxpayer resides, and the turnover is equal to or less than 5 crores.
• GSTR-4 has to be filed annually by 30th April of the year following the financial year. This is the annual return that has to be filed by the people who have registered under GST.
• GSTR-5 has to be filed by the 20th of each month. This is for non-resident foreign taxpayers who run businesses in India and have registered under GST.
• GSTR-5A has to be filed on the 20th of every month. This covers GST applied on OIDAR (Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval services)
• GSTR-6 is to be filed by Input Service Distributor (ISD). The due date is the 13th of every month.
• GSTR-7 is filed by persons to deduct TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) under GST. The due date is the 10th of every month.
• GSTR-8 is filed by e-commerce operators registered under GST. The due date is the 10th of every month.
• GSTR-9 is for filing annual returns by taxpayers registered under GST. The due date is 31st December following the relevant financial year.
• GSTR-9A is suspended and replaced by GSTR-4.
• GSTR-9C has to be filed by the taxpayer whose turnover exceeds Rs. 2 crores in a financial year. The due date is 31st December following the relevant financial year.
• GSTR-10 is to be filed by a person whose GST registration has been surrendered or cancelled. The final return has to be filed within 3 months from the date of cancellation.
• GSTR-11 is for people who have been issued UIN (Unique Identity Number) to get a refund under GST.

• To add GST to the base amount, one needs to get the net price which can be done by adding the original cost and GST amount. Here the GST amount = original cost x GST% / 100.
• To remove GST from the base amount, one needs to get the net price by subtracting the GST amount from the original cost. Here the GST amount = original cost - (original cost x (100 / (100 + GST%)).

1. How many returns are there under GST? There are 13 returns under GST. They are GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-4, GSTR-5, GSTR-5A, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-8, GSTR-9, GSTR-10, GSTR-11, CMP-08 AND ITC-04.There were 22 types of GST returns prescribed under the GST rules. Out of these, 11 GST returns are active, 8 are used only for viewing purposes, and 3 are suspended. All returns do not apply to all taxpayers. Based on the nature of the business, the taxpayer has to file GST.GST-registered businesses have to file three returns per month. These being GSTR-1, GSTR-2 and GSTR-3. If they operate in a number of states, then they have to file the returns in each state. An annual GST is also supposed to be filed.
2. What are the different types of GST returns and the due dates to file them?
3. How is GST return calculated? For calculating GST, the taxpayer should be aware of the GST rate applicable to the various categories. The different GST slabs are 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.The formula used for calculating GST can be either of the following:
4. For example, suppose a product is sold for Rs. 1000, and the applicable GST is 12%. The net price of the product will be Rs. 1000 + 12% of Rs. 1000. which will be Rs. 1000 + Rs. 120 = Rs. 1200.
5. How many returns GST per year? Any business with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 5 crore needs to file two monthly returns, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. Besides this, one annual return also has to be filed in GSTR-9.This means in a financial year; 25 returns need to be filed. This is if the QRMP (Quarter Returns with Monthly Payment) Scheme is not opted for. Details in GSTR-1 need to be entered manually. GSTR-3B gets the information auto-populated from GSTR-1.Businesses with a turnover of less than Rs. 5 crores who opt for the QRMP scheme have to file 9 in each year. This includes 4 GSTR-1 and annual returns in GSTR-3B.
6. What is annual return in GST? The annual return in GST needs to be filed by all people who have registered for GST. This has to be filed annually in GSTR-9. This consists of all the monthly, and quarterly returns filed in the financial year. It reconciles all the data disclosed in GSTR-1, GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B. This discloses 100% transparency.It also contains all the details related to business, like outward and inward supply made during the financial year. This also includes taxes like SGST, CGST and IGST AND HSN codes.Persons registered under GST with no annual returns are also required to file nil annual returns. Those who are exempted from filing annual returns are input service distributors, casual taxable persons, persons paying tax under section 51 and section 52 and non-resident taxable persons.

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The information contained herein is generic in nature and is meant for educational purposes only. Nothing here is to be construed as an investment or financial or taxation advice nor to be considered as an invitation or solicitation or advertisement for any financial product. Readers are advised to exercise discretion and should seek independent professional advice prior to making any investment decision in relation to any financial product. Aditya Birla Capital Group is not liable for any decision arising out of the use of this information.