How to File GST Return Online: Check Step by Step Guide, Last Date

The deadline to file Goods and Services Tax (GST) annual returns for businesses has been extended by the government for FY 2020-21. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) said that "the due date for furnishing annual return in FORM GSTR-9 & self-certified reconciliation statement in FORM GSTR-9C for the financial year 2020-21 has been extended from 31.12.2021 to 28.02.2022."

What is GSTR 9?

It is an annual return to be filed every year by taxpayers registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It has the details of the outward and inward supplies made or received under different tax heads. 

On the other hand, GSTR-9C is a statement of reconciliation between GSTR-9 and the is the audited annual financial statement.

What is Goods and Service Tax (GST)?

It is an indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services. It is ultimately paid for by the customer. In 2017, the government of India introduced GST under their "one nation, one tax" reform. The purpose of this taxation system is to curb the cascading effect of other indirect taxes. It is applicable throughout India.

We can also say that GST is a single tax levied on the supply of goods and services right from the manufacturer to the consumer and essentially replaces multiple indirect taxes.

The main feature of the returns mechanism in GST includes; electronic filing of returns, uploading of invoice level, information, and auto-population of information relating to Input Tax Credit (ITC) from returns of a supplier to that of the recipient, invoice-level information matching, and auto reversal of Input Tax Credit in case of mismatch.

A regular taxpayer has to furnish monthly returns and one annual return under GST. Separate returns are there for a taxpayer registered under the composition scheme, non-resident taxpayer, taxpayer registered as an Input Service Distributor; a person liable to deduct or collect the tax (TDS/ TCS), and a person granted a Unique Identification Number.

Note: It is not required by the taxpayer to file all types of returns. In fact, taxpayers are required to file returns depending upon the activities they undertake.

Who files GST return?

All registered businesses have to file monthly, quarterly, and/or annual GST returns depending on the type of business.  The taxpayers running their firms and businesses across the country whether it is interstate or intrastate are liable to file GST returns as prescribed by the GST council and indirect tax department.

How to File GST Return Online: Check Step by Step Guide

1. Visit the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in).

2. A 15 digit number will be issued based on state code and PAN number.

3. Now, upload invoices on the GST portal or the software. 

4. An invoice number will be issued against each invoice.

5. After uploading invoices, file onward returns, inward return, and cumulative monthly return online. Here, an option is there to rectify the error and file the return.

6. The next step is to file the outward supply returns for GSTR-1. It is done by using the information section at the GST Common Portal on or before the 10th of the month.

7. Outward supplies details furnished by the supplier will be made available in GSTR-2A to the recipient.

8. Now, the details of inward supplies have to be furnished by the recipient of taxable goods and services in the GSTR-2 form.

9. Either the supplier can accept or reject the modifications of the details of inward supplies made available by the recipient in GSTR-1A.

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