Overview

Every business registered for GST must submit either monthly or quarterly GST returns, along with an annual GST return, depending on their business type. These GST return filings are completed online through the GST portal.

What is GST Return Filing?

A GST return is a document that contains information about a GST-registered taxpayer's income/sales and expenses/purchases. It is a requirement for every GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) holder, and it is submitted to tax authorities. These returns help tax authorities calculate the net tax liability.

Under GST, registered dealers must file GST returns that typically cover:

• Purchases
• Sales
• Output GST (tax collected on sales)
• Input tax credit (GST paid on purchases)

For GST return filing, consider using the Clear GST software. This software allows data import from various ERP systems like Tally, Busy, custom Excel, etc. Tally users also have the option to use the desktop app to directly upload data and file their returns.

Types of GST Registration in India

GSTR 1: This is where you provide details about the goods and services you sold. You can file this monthly or quarterly if you're under the QRMP scheme.

GSTR 3B: A simple summary of your sales, input tax credit, and tax payment. You can file this monthly or quarterly.

CMP 08: For taxpayers in the composition scheme, this is a statement and challan for tax payment, filed quarterly.

GSTR 4: If you're in the composition scheme, you file this return annually.

GSTR 5: Non-resident taxable persons file this return monthly.

GSTR 6: This is filed by input service distributors to distribute eligible input tax credits, done monthly.

GSTR 7: Government authorities file this return monthly.

GSTR 8: E-commerce operators use this to report supplies and tax collected at the source, filed monthly.

GSTR 9: A normal taxpayer files this annual return.

GSTR 9C: A certified reconciliation statement, filed annually.

GSTR 10: If your GST registration is canceled, you file this once it's canceled or surrendered.

GSTR 11: People with UIN (Unique Identification Number) who claim refunds file this monthly, providing details of inward supplies.

Due Dates for Filing GST Returns

GSTR 1: The 11th of the following month.

GSTR 3B: The 20th of the following month.

CMP 08: 18th of the month following the quarter.

GSTR 4: 18th of the month following the quarter.

GSTR 5: 20th of the following month.

GSTR 6: 13th of the following month.

GSTR 7: 10th of the following month.

GSTR 8: 10th of the following month.

GSTR 9: December 31 of the fiscal year.

GSTR 10: Within 3 months of cancellation or the cancellation order date, whichever comes earlier.

GSTR 11: 28th of the month following the one for which the statement was filed.

Benefit

Tax & Process

Online GST Return Filing Process Simplified:

Step 1: Go to the GST portal at www.gst.gov.in.

Step 2: You'll receive a 15-digit number based on your state code and PAN number.

Step 3: Upload every invoice, and you'll get a reference number for each.

Step 4: Next, file your outward and inward returns along with monthly summaries, correcting any errors.

Step 5: File your GSTR-1 outward supply returns by the 10th of each month.

Step 6: The details of outward supplies come from GSTR-2A.

Step 7: Verify these details and file any credit or debit notes.

Step 8: Provide details of inward supplies of goods and services in GSTR-2.

Step 9: The supplier can accept or reject the details in GSTR-1A.

Offline GST Return Filing Process Simplified:

Step 1: Visit and download the offline tool.

Step 2: Download the GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 forms.

Step 3: Follow the steps in the link provided.

How to Download GST Return Forms:

To download GST return forms from the government portal:

Step 1: Log in to the GST portal.

Step 2: Go to Service → Returns → Returns Dashboard.

Step 3: Select the month and year from the drop-down.

Step 4: Click "PREPARE OFFLINE."

Step 5: Navigate to "Download" and click "GENERATE FILE."

Step 6: Click the "Click Here" link to download a ZIP file.

Step 7: Open this file using the GST offline tool by clicking "Open" in the tool.

Documents Required

When filing your GSTR1 return, you don't attach documents, but you need to provide information about your sales and invoices. Here's what's needed:

Details of B2B (business to business) invoices:

• Customer's GSTIN
• Type of Invoice
• Place of Supply
• Invoice Number
• Invoice Date
• Taxable Value
• GST Rate
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST cess (if applicable)
• Indication of GST Reverse Charge (if applicable)

B2C invoices (business to consumer) with values over Rs. 2.5 lakhs:

• Invoice number
• Invoice date
• Total invoice value
• Taxable value
• GST rate
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST cess (if applicable)
• Place of Supply
• Details of exports, including shipping information.

• HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) summary of all goods sold, including:

• HSN Code
• Description
• Quantity
• Total value
• Total taxable value
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST cess (if applicable)
• Summary of documents issued during the tax period, including debit notes, credit notes, advance receipts, and amendment

Documents Needed for Filing GSTR2 Return Simplified:

Filing the GSTR2 return involves verifying and providing additional details, mostly auto-populated from GSTR1. Here's what you may need to submit:

For purchases from GST-registered sellers:

• Invoice number
• Invoice date
• Invoice value
• Place of Supply
• Reverse charge applicability
• Invoice type
• Taxable value
• GST rate
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST cess (if applicable)
• Eligibility for Input Tax Credit
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST Cess Input Tax Credit Claimed
• For import purchases and supplies from SEZ (Special Economic Zone) units:

• Indication of supply to SEZ
• Supplier's GSTIN
• Bill of Entry details
• Bill of Entry value
• Port Code
• Taxable value
• GST rate
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST cess (if applicable)
• Eligibility for Input Tax Credit
• Amount of IGST, CGST, SGST, and GST Cess Input Tax Credit Claimed
• HSN summary
• Details of credit received from Input Service Distributor
• Supplies received from composition taxable persons, exempt/Nil rated/Non-GST supplies received
• TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) and TCS (Tax Collected at Source) credit received
• Consolidated Statement of Advances paid/Advance adjusted on account of receipt of supply
• Input Tax Credit Reversal/Reclaim
• Addition and reduction of the amount of output tax for mismatch and other reasons.

Please note that this is a simplified summary of the required information for filing GSTR1 and GSTR2 returns. The actual process may involve additional details and variations depending on your business.

Procedure