A GST Return is a document that contains details of income, which every taxpayer is required to file with the tax administrative authorities. This is used to calculate an individual’s tax liability. The number of GST returns to be filed will be based on the type of taxpayer, i.e. regular taxpayer, composition dealer, e-commerce operator, TDS deductor, non-resident taxpayer, Input Service Distributor (ISD) etc. Usually, a regular taxpayer has to file two returns per month (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B) and an annual return (GSTR-9/9C).
Under the GST, a registered taxpayer has to file GST return that includes:-
A) Purchases
B) Sales
C) Output GST (on sales)
D) ITC (Input Tax Credit), i.e., the GST paid on purchases
Types of GST Returns
| Return Form | Particulars | Frequency | Due Date |
| GSTR-1 | This form contains the details of outward supplies of all the taxable goods and services effected | Monthly | 11th of next month |
| Quarterly | End of the month succeeding the quarter. | ||
| GSTR-2 | This form contains the details of the inward supplies of all the taxable goods and Services effected by claiming the ITC (Input tax credit) | Monthly | Suspended from September 2017 onwards |
| GSTR-3 | This form contains the monthly returns based on the basis of details on outward supplies and inward supplies along with the payment of the amount of tax | Monthly | Suspended from September 2017 onwards |
| GSTR-3B | Return in which summary of outward supplies along with input tax credit is declared | Monthly | 20 or 22 or 24 of Next month (depending upon turnover and state) |
| GSTR-9 | This form is to file for a registered person other than an input service distributor, TDS/TCS Taxpayer, casual taxable person and non-resident taxpayer. (Annual Return) | Annually | No fixed date for this return. Check GST official site for the same. |
Dealers Opting for Composition Scheme
| Return Form | Particulars | Frequency | Due Date |
| CMP-08 | Statement-cum-challan to make a tax payment | Quarterly | 18th of the month just succeeding the immediate quarter. |
| GSTR-4 | This is the return for compounding taxable individual | Annually | 18th of the month just succeeding the immediate quarter. |
| GSTR-9A | This is an annual return form | Monthly | No fixed date for this GST Return. Check GST official site for the same. |
GST Return filed by specific registered dealers
| Return Form | Particulars | Frequency | Due Date |
| GSTR-5 | This is the returns provision for Non-Resident foreign taxable person | Monthly | 20th of the next month succeeding the tax period or within 7 days after the expiry of the registration, whichever is earlier |
| GSTR-6 | Return for Input Service Distributor | Monthly | 13th of the next month |
| GSTR-7 | Return for authorities deducting tax at source (TDS) | Monthly | 10th of the next month |
| GSTR-8 | This form is for the supplies done through the E-commerce operator | Monthly | 10th of the next month |
| GSTR-10 | Final Return | Only once: – when the registration is cancelled or surrendered | Within 3 months of the date of cancellation or date of order of cancellation, whichever is later |
| GSTR-11 | Details of inward supplies to be submitted by an individual having a UIN and is also claiming the refund | Monthly | 28th of the month following the month for which statement is filed |
GST Late Fee
If the GST Returns are not filed within the time frame, then one is liable to pay interest and a late fee. Interest that would get accrued is 18% and is calculated on the amount of outstanding tax to be paid by the taxpayer. Also, the late fee charged would be ₹ 100 for CGST and ₹ 100 for SGST, i.e., a total penalty of ₹ 200 per day. This fine has a maximum cap of ₹ 10,000. There will be zero late fees for those with no tax liability. There is no late fee charged on IGST.
