GST Return Filing

A GST return is a document filed with the GST department showing all transactions — sales, purchases, tax collected, and tax paid. Types of GST returns: GSTR-1 (outward supplies), GSTR-2A/2B (auto-populated inward supplies for ITC), GSTR-3B (monthly summary + tax payment), GSTR-4 (Composition dealers annual), CMP-08 (Composition quarterly payment), GSTR-9 (annual return), GSTR-9C (reconciliation/audit), GSTR-10 (final return on cancellation).

GST return due dates: GSTR-1: 11th of next month (B2B invoice details). Under QRMP: 13th of month after quarter. GSTR-3B: 20th of next month (Category 1 states); 22nd (Category 2 states); 24th (Category 3 states). QRMP quarterly GSTR-3B: 22nd/24th after quarter end. GSTR-9 (Annual): December 31. GSTR-9C: December 31. CMP-08 (Composition): 18th of month after each quarter.

Late fee for GST return filing: GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 late fee: ₹50/day (₹25 CGST + ₹25 SGST) — maximum ₹5,000 per return. For NIL returns: ₹20/day (₹10 CGST + ₹10 SGST) — maximum ₹2,000. Additionally, interest at 18% per annum applies on unpaid tax from the due date. GSTR-9 annual return late fee: ₹200/day (₹100 CGST + ₹100 SGST) — maximum 0.25% of state turnover.

GSTR-1 is the monthly/quarterly return for reporting all outward supplies (sales and revenue). It includes: B2B invoices (each invoice separately), B2C large invoices (above ₹2.5 lakh interstate), B2C small summary, exports with/without payment of tax, NIL/exempt/non-GST supplies, advances received, and credit/debit notes. File GSTR-1 on gst.gov.in by 11th of next month (or 13th for QRMP). Buyers' GSTR-2B is auto-populated from your GSTR-1.

GSTR-3B is the monthly summary return where you declare total outward taxable supplies, total inward supplies (for ITC), net GST liability, and ITC availed. Unlike GSTR-1, GSTR-3B does not have invoice-level details — only summary figures. Tax due as per GSTR-3B must be paid before filing. File GSTR-3B on gst.gov.in by 20th (or 22nd/24th for staggered filing states).

GSTR-9 is the Annual GST Return consolidating all 12 months of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B data. Filing is mandatory for businesses with annual turnover above ₹2 crore. Businesses with turnover below ₹2 crore have an option to file or skip. GSTR-9C is the GST Reconciliation Statement (audited by a CA) mandatory for businesses with turnover above ₹5 crore. Due date: December 31 of next financial year.

Input Tax Credit (ITC) is the GST paid on your business purchases that you can offset against the GST collected on your sales. ITC is auto-populated in GSTR-2B based on invoices filed by your suppliers in their GSTR-1. To claim ITC: ensure invoice appears in GSTR-2B, verify supplier has filed their returns, goods/services are used for taxable business, and you have the original tax invoice. ITC cannot be claimed on personal use, food, beauty, personal vehicles (with exceptions).

QRMP (Quarterly Return Monthly Payment) scheme is available for GST taxpayers with annual turnover up to ₹5 crore. Under QRMP: file GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B quarterly (not monthly), but pay GST monthly using PMT-06 challan (fixed sum method or self-assessment method) by the 25th of each month. This reduces return filing frequency from 24 returns/year to 8 returns/year.

E-Invoice (Electronic Invoice) involves generating an Invoice Reference Number (IRN) from the GSTN Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for each B2B invoice. The IRN + QR Code must be printed on the invoice. E-Invoicing is mandatory for businesses with aggregate annual turnover above ₹5 crore (from August 1, 2023). E-Invoice data auto-populates GSTR-1 and E-Way Bills. Biswa Corporate Solutions helps set up E-Invoice integration.

E-Way Bill is an electronic document required for movement of goods worth more than ₹50,000. Generate it on ewaybillgst.gov.in before the movement starts. An E-Way Bill has two parts: Part A (invoice details) and Part B (vehicle/transport details). Validity: up to 100 km per day for regular vehicles. Inter-state movement of ALL taxable goods requires E-Way Bill regardless of value in some states.

LUT (Letter of Undertaking) under Form GST RFD-11 is filed by registered exporters to supply goods/services for export without payment of IGST. Without LUT, exporters must pay IGST and then claim a GST Refund. LUT must be filed at the start of each financial year on gst.gov.in and is auto-approved. Biswa Corporate Solutions handles LUT Filing for all exporters.

Under Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM), the recipient (buyer) pays GST instead of the supplier. RCM applies on: purchases from unregistered suppliers (for specified goods/services), import of services, renting residential property to registered person (from 18 July 2022), specified services like legal fees from advocate, transport services from GTA. Declare RCM purchases in GSTR-3B Table 3.1(d) and pay GST via cash ledger (no ITC offset for RCM payment).

GST Refund can be claimed in these cases: (1) Export of goods/services without payment of tax (LUT); (2) Export with payment of IGST — refund of IGST paid; (3) Inverted duty structure (input GST rate > output GST rate); (4) Excess cash balance in Electronic Cash Ledger; (5) Deemed exports. File Form GST RFD-01 on gst.gov.in. Refunds are processed within 60 days. Biswa Corporate Solutions provides GST Refund Consultant services.

GST Reconciliation is the process of matching your purchase register with GSTR-2B (auto-populated ITC from supplier filings), and matching your sales register with GSTR-1 filed data. Mismatches between GSTR-2B and purchase register can lead to ITC denial. Mismatches between GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B can trigger GST notices. Monthly reconciliation is critical to ensure accurate ITC claims and avoid demand notices.

GST Audit under Section 65 is conducted by GST officers for businesses selected by the department. GST Audit under Section 66 is a special audit ordered when the officer deems accounts complex. Separately, GSTR-9C (annual reconciliation) is a taxpayer self-audit certified by a CA for businesses with turnover above ₹5 crore. Biswa Corporate Solutions provides GST Audit support and representation.

Common GST notices: ASMT-10 (scrutiny notice for return discrepancies), DRC-01 (demand notice for short payment), SCN (Show Cause Notice for cancellation of registration), GSTR-3A (notice for non-filers). On receiving a GST notice, respond within the specified time (usually 15–30 days) with explanation and supporting documents. Biswa Corporate Solutions provides expert GST Notice Reply and GST Litigation services.