If you have been wondering how to file GST returns, it is not a laborious or confusing process. It can be filed with the software provided by the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), which will auto-populate the forms.
GST return online filing process
The GST return online filing process can be completed in the following steps.
Step 1: Use the GST portal that is www.gst.gov.in.
Step 2: Based on your state code and PAN number, a 15 digit number will be issued.
Step 3: Each invoice that you have needs to be uploaded. Against each invoice, a reference number will be issued.
Step 4: After this, the next step is to file the outward returns, inward returns, and cumulative monthly returns. All errors can be rectified.
Step 5: File the outward supply returns of GSTR-1 using the information section at the GST Common Portal on or before the 10th of the month.
Step 6: The outward supplies furnished by the supplier will be gotten from the GSTR-2A.
Step 7: After this, the recipient has to verify the details of the outward supplies and file details of credit or debit notes.
Step 8: Next, supply details of the inward supplies of goods and services in the GSTR-2 form.
Step 9: The supplier can accept or reject the details provided by the inward supplies made apparent in the GSTR-1A.
To file your GST returns in offline mode, you need to visit and download the following offline tool, Website Link. Once you have downloaded this tool, you can easily fill in the GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 forms. All you have to do is follow the steps in the link provided above.
Here’s how to download GST returns from the government portal.
Follow these steps one after the other.
Step 1: Log in to the GST portal.
Step 2: From there, go to the Service→ Returns→ Returns Dashboard.
Step 3: Choose the month and year from the drop-down.
Step 4: Hit “PREPARE OFFLINE.”
Step 5: Navigate to “Download” and click on “GENERATE FILE.”
Step 6: Click on the “Click Here” link and download the link. You should get a ZIP file.
Step 7: Open this file using the GST offline tool by clicking on “Open” under the Open Downloaded Return file from the GST portal.
Now that you know how to download the GST return file, follow the same procedure for every other GSTR file.
Here is a look at the different types of GST returns.
1. GSTR-1
GSTR-1 has to be filed against all goods and services rendered by a company. This includes all the invoices raised as well as credit-debit notes against sales for a tax period.
2. GSTR-2A
GSTR 2A is a view-only GST return for buying goods and services. It contains the details of all purchases made by the recipient in any month. All kinds of inward supplies to the recipient can be viewed as purchases made from other GST registered suppliers.
3. GSTR- 2B
This is also a static, view-only GST return. It is important for buyers of goods and services. GSTR-2B is available every month from August 2020 and contains ITC data of any period when it is checked back.
4. GSTR- 3B
GSTR 3B is a monthly self-declaration. It furnishes the summarised details of:
5. GSTR-4
GSTR-4 is an annual return to be filed by composition taxable persons. It is to be filed by April 30th following the relevant financial year. This return replaced GSTR-9A.
6. GSTR-5
GSTR-5 is for those non-resident foreign taxpayers who carry out transactions in India. What do these returns entail? They contain details of the following:
7. GSTR-5A
GSTR-5A summarises all the outward taxable supplies and tax payable by OIDAR, which stands for the Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval Services provider.
You have to file this return by the 20th of every month.
8. GSTR-6
GSTR-6 must be filed by an Input Service Distributor (ISD) every month. Its composition details are:
The due date of the GSTR-6 is the 13th of every month.
9. GSTR-7
GSTR-7 is to be filed by the persons who are required to deduct the TDS under GST. TDS stands for “Tax deducted at source.” Here’s what the GSTR-7 entails:
The due date of the GSTR-7 is the 10th of every month.
10. GSTR-8
This form is required to be filed by the e-commerce operators registered under GST. They are usually required to collect tax at the source. All the details of supplies made through the e-commerce platform and the TCS on the same are recorded.
It is to be filed by the 10th of every month.
11. GSTR-9
This is an annual return to be filed by taxpayers who are registered under GST. It is due by December 31st for the year following the specific financial year. What does the GSTR-9 contain? It consists of the following:
12. GSTR-9C
It is a statement filed by all the taxpayers registered under GST whose turnover exceeds Rs. 2 crores in a financial year. This is a unique form in that it has to be certified by a Chartered Accountant or a Cost Management Accountant after a GST audit and looking over the GST-9.
It is to be filed by December 31st of the year that follows the relevant financial year.
However, as per the Union Budget 2021, the mandate for the GST audit by CAs and CMAs has been removed.
13. GSTR-10
The GSTR-10 form is to be filled by a person whose registration was surrendered or cancelled. It is also called a final return which needs to be filed within three months of the cancellation order or the date of cancellation, whichever comes first.
14. GSTR-11
GSTR-11 is for foreign diplomatic missions and embassies that do not pay tax in India but require a refund of taxes. It is filed by those persons who have been issued a Unique Identity Number (UIN) to get a refund for the goods and services incurred by them in India. These returns have details of the inward supplies received and refunds claimed.
These were the different types of GST returns and who should file them.