GST Returns Filing: GST Returns Filing Online Process In India

Business registered have to file monthly, quarterl or annual GST Returns based on the type of business. A return is a document that contains the details of income which a taxpayer is required to file with the tax administrative authorities of India.

If you are wondering what is GST return filing process in India, then keep reading this article.

What is GST Return?

GSTR is a document which contains details of the income of taxpayer which is used by tax authorities for calculating tax.
Registered dealers require the following details to file the return-

• Sales and purchase;
• Output GST;
• Input tax credit.

What are the various types of GST return?

There are various types of GST returns filing, and each return has different due dates and eligibility.

Types

Purpose

Frequency and Due date

GSTR-1	To be filed by all the taxpayers stating their sales of goods and services.	Monthly 11th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-2 Suspended	Details of purchase of goods and services, including those which are under reverse charge basis.	Monthly 15th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-3 Suspended	All details of the sales and purchases as mentioned in Forms GSTR-1 & GSTR-2	Monthly 20th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-3B	To be filed by all the taxpayers declaring the summary of GST liabilities.	Monthly 20th day of the succeeding month
CMP-08 (Earlier GSTR-4)	To declare a summary of sales and import services liable to reverse charge mechanism	Quarterly 18th day of the month succeeding the quarter
GSTR-5	Filed by non-resident taxpayers when they don't claim Input Tax Credit.	Monthly 20th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-5A	It is filed using Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval (OIDAR) service provider outside India to provide their services to unregistered persons in India	Monthly  20th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-6	Filed by Input Service Distributors for distribution of Input tax credit.	Monthly 13th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-7	To declare TDS liability by the authorities	Monthly 10th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-8	Tax Collected by e-commerce operators	Monthly 10th day of the succeeding month
GSTR-9	To be filed by all taxpayer stating the details of the purchase, sales, input tax credit, refund claimed, etc.	Annually 30th November’19 for the Financial year  2017-18
GSTR-9A	Filed by GST composition scheme taxpayers stating the details of sales and purchases, taxes paid, refund claimed, input tax credit.	Annually  30th November’19 for the Financial year 2017-18
GSTR-10 (Final Return)	Filed by the taxpayers whose GST registration is cancelled to file final GSTR.	Once in 3 months from the date of cancellation.
GSTR-11	To be filed by Unique Identity Number (UIN) holders stating the supplied as well-received goods and services.	Quarterly 28th of the next month.

GST Return Filing Process

Go to the GST web portal. Register under GST and have a  15-digit GST identification number based on your state code and PAN number.

Upload all the required invoices on the GST portal. A reference number will be issued against every invoice.

Now upload outward return, inward return, and cumulative monthly return online. In case of errors, you will find an option to correct it and again file the return.
The recipient is required to validate and verify the details and file the return.

Details required for GST Return Filing

1. Expenditure details

• Total purchase
• Sales return
• Imports

2. Income details

• Total sales
• Total export
• Supplies on which no GST is paid
• Purchase return

3. Other income

• Audit arrears
• Refunds

4. Profit and loss statement

What are the Penalties for Late GST Return Filing?

Filing of GSTR is mandatory. Even if no transaction took place, then also the taxpayer has to file nil GSTR. If GSTR is not filed on time by the taxpayers, late fine with interest is imposed on them.
Late fine for annual return filing

• INR 200 per day ( INR100 per day under CGST, SGST)
• The maximum amount of late fee that can be imposed should not be more than 0.25% of taxpayers turnover.

Late fine for monthly/ quarterly GST return filing

• INR 50 per day
• The fine cannot be over 5000
• No fine on IGST

CONCLUSION

GST return filing process in India can be a complicated affair. Understanding the purpose of each return is necessary to understand return filing liability of taxpayers which is relevant. Every business registered under GST needs to file GST Returns containing the details of the profits they earned in the preceding year and other necessary information prescribed by law.