Types Of GST Returns: Due Dates, Significance & Penalties

The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is value-added taxation charged on goods and services used for domestic purposes. It is an indirect tax paid by the taxpayers but is remitted by the businesses to the government.

Businesses registered under GST (Goods and Service Tax) should abide by the return process to file returns conveniently and take advantage of input tax credit details (ITC). A normal taxpayer under GST should file two returns in a month and one in a year. However, there are special categories too. 

Let’s understand and take a look at the various types of GST returns.

What is GST Return?

A GST return is a report that provides information to tax authorities about a taxpayer’s earnings, expenses, and tax liabilities. It includes sales, purchases, output GST, and the input tax credit claimed under GST. With direct upload options and data import from several ERP systems, Clear GST software makes filings easier.

There are several activities involved in fulfilling the Returns under GST. It consists of:

• Submitting different GST Returns virtually
• Updating details invoice-wise
• Auto-settlement of details 
• Reconciliation of invoice details
• Automated input tax credit reversal if there is a mismatch of invoice details

Pro-tip

Ensure timely GST return filing to avoid penalties. Understand your business's applicable return types and utilize online filing for accuracy. Stay informed about GST regulations and pay taxes to ensure compliance and business profits.

How Many Returns Are There Under GST?

Under GST, there are 13 returns. The GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-4, GSTR-5, GSTR-5A, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-8, GSTR-9, GSTR-10, GSTR-11, CMP-08, and ITC-04.  

Filing requirements change according to the type of taxpayer and registration. Companies with more than Rs. 5 crore in revenue are required to submit Form GSTR-9C. Input tax credit statements (GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B) and the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) for registrants of the QRMP scheme are also accessible to taxpayers.

Who Is Liable To File GST Returns?

Businesses subject to the GST system that have yearly sales of more than Rs. 5 crore are required to file 25 returns annually. As an alternative, individuals having annual revenue less than Rs. 5 crore are required to file 9 returns under the QRMP scheme, comprising 4 GSTR-1, 4 GSTR-3B, and 1 yearly return. Special situations call for five returns a year, such as composition dealers.

Types of GST Returns

Based on business type and tax filing needs, there are various GST return types. Businesses need to identify their category and select appropriate GST returns accordingly.  Let’s take a look at the types of GST returns and due dates.

GSTR-1

GSTR 1 has information on outward supplies done during a specific taxation period. It should be submitted online on the GST website with the following details:

• Information of supplies invoices made to the taxpayer, including those with UIN.
• Data of inter-state supplies invoices of more than INR 250,000 to someone.
• Information on Debit and Credit Notes against the supplier’s bills.
• Information linked to the export of goods along with deemed exports.
• The gist of state-level supply information to unregistered consumers.
• The gist of advances received for the supply of the goods.
• Exempted goods and services under GST, nil, and non-GST supplies.
• Summary of HSN/SAC of outward supplies.

It is mandatory to file GSTR 1, even if there are no transactions in a given tax tenure. The registered taxpayer is liable to file it, other than the composition taxable person, input service provider, and person subtracting or collecting tax at source.

Due date to file GSTR-1

It should be filed once a month or quarterly based on the taxpayer’s turnover.

• For April 2024, the GST filing’s last date will be 11th May 2024.
• For May 2024, the GST filing’s last date will be 11th June 2024.
• For April-June 2024 (quarterly), the GST filing’s last date will be 31st July 2024.

Taxpayers can choose a three-monthly filing of GST return if the turnover in the past year and the expected turnover in the current year is not more than INR 1.5 crore. The due date for the GSTR-1 filing mentioned by the CBIC is the 11th of next month.

GSTR-1A

GSTR-1A mentions details of the sale used to file GSTR-1. In this filing, the registered business should accept or decline the data updated by the purchaser in the GSTR -2 form. It is suspended temporarily. It is auto-settled; hence, no filing is required.

Due date to file GSTR-1A

The return should be filed between the 15th and 17 of the following month.

GSTR-2

GSTR-2 reconciles the buyer and seller, as the seller has mentioned in the GSTR-1. It should match with GSTR-2. It is suspended temporarily by the GST Administration. It has details of the purchases done by the taxpayer in specific tax tenure. It is mandatory to file GSTR-2 to submit information on purchases. Registered taxpayers should file GSTR-2.

Due date to file GSTR-2

The due date to file GSTR-2 is the 15th of the following month.

GSTR-2A

This is among the types of GST returns that are auto-generated or purchased from using the information of GSTR- 1/5, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, and GSTR-8.

Filing this type of GST return is not mandatory. It is only to help record details of invoices received from different dealers. It is an auto-settled return, and there is no need to fill it.

GSTR-3B

This is a once-a-month gist statement to declare the GST liability for tax tenure and to pay it. Registered businesses should file this return for every tax tenure. GSTR-3B should feature sales, purchases, tax data, ITC eligibility, TDS/ TCS credits accessible, and inter-state supplies.

It is mandatory to file GSTR-3B, even if no transactions are done. Regular taxpayers should file GSTR-3B from time to time. It can be filed as NIL if there are no trades or tax liability for that specific tax tenure. It is filed online on the GST portal.

Due date to file GSTR-3B

The GST return due date for GSTR-3B is the 20th of the next month. The GST needs to be submitted by then.

GSTR-4

It is for the registered taxpayers who choose to pay tax under the composition scheme. It has sales, tax payable, TDS/TCS credit accessible, and refund acquired.

It is mandatory to file GSTR-4. Registered taxable users who have chosen the Composition section in GST should pay GSTR-4 annually, and it can be filed for NIL.

Due date to file GSTR-4

It should be filed quarterly, and the GST return due date is the 18th of the month following the tax tenure. The return is filed online and is restricted from revising like the other returns; however, it can be altered in the next tax period.

From 2019-20, the return has always been filed yearly. The CMP08 is filed three-monthly with all the information for the composition dealer.

GSTR-4A

It is an auto-settled return available in read-form for composition traders on the basis of the details submitted to GSTR-1/5 and GSTR-7.

Nothing is needed to file this form, and it is auto-generated. It includes invoices of 3A and 3B from suppliers, credit/debit notes added by the supplier, amended invoices by the supplier, and amended debit/credit notes by the supplier. It is an auto-settled form; hence, there is no mandatory filing.

Due date to file GSTR-4A

GSTR-4A is auto-settled once the required returns are submitted.

GSTR-5

There is no need for a registered NRTP to file the outward supplies, inward supplies, and return statements differently. It can be replaced with a simple GSTR-5 monthly return form. It includes outward supply, inward supply, tax, late fee, and penalty information.

It is mandatory to file GSTR-5, and every registered non-resident taxpayer should file GSRT-5. It can be filed as a NIL.

Due date to file GSTR-5

The GST return filing dates for GSTR-5 for non-residents are within 7 days of the expiry of the period. If the registration period is over a month, the monthly return will be filed by the 20th of the next month.

In short, it should be filed in the next 20 days of the calendar month or the next 7 days of the registration’s validity period.

GSTR-5A

It is a GST return that needs to be filed by an Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval services provider for the services offered from somewhere outside the nation to unregistered people.

It includes information on sales done to non-taxable people in India, variations in the report filed in the tax period before, and information on any other amount that they should pay.

It is mandatory to file GSTR-5A, even when no business transaction has occurred, and the OIDAR non-resident service providers should file it.

Due date to file GSTR-5A

The return should be filed by the 20th of next month.

GSTR-6

It is filed by Input Service Distributors to claim the ITC. It includes registration of the taxpayer as an Input Service Distributor with an active GSTIN. A mobile number should be registered on the GST website during registration.

It is mandatory to file this return monthly even when no transactions occur. It should be submitted by ISD (Input Service Distributor) to distribute its credit in different sections.

Due date to file GSTR-6

The GST return due date for this form is the 13th of the next month of the taxable tenure.

GSTR-6A

The GST form is auto-settled depending on the bills uploaded by the other party in their GSTR-1. It has purchase statements for the input tax credit. It includes details as credit or notes of the present tax period and input tax credit acquired for distribution. GSTR-6A is auto-generated; hence, there is no need to fill it.

GSTR-7

The return is monthly and filed by someone who deducts tax while paying suppliers (TDS) under GST. A taxpayer should mention his TDS liability for the month in the form of three subheadings: Central, State, and Integrated.

GSTR-7 should be filed by a person deducting TDS as mentioned under the CGST Act Section 51. TDS deductors under GST file the GSTR 7. According to section 51 of the CGST Act, the deductors accountable to subtract TDS is the establishment of the Central Government or State Government, Government bodies, the Society set up by the State Government or Central Government registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, and the bodies set up by State Legislature or Parliament and Public Sector Undertakings.

Due date to file GSTR-7

The GST filing the last date is the 10th of the following month and no return should be filed for a period where no TDS is subtracted.

GSTR-7A

It is an auto-populated TDS accreditation produced after filing the deductee accepts the GSTR-7 return and the information uploaded by the deductor in GSTR-7. There is no need to add any details to the return. It is a TDS accreditation for the deductor and deductee.

GSTR-8

It is one of the types of GST Returns where it is necessary to collect tax at source by online operators. It has information on supplies and money collected by the operator about the supplies and TCS collected on these supplies. It includes data on the TCS and sales, tax, interest to be paid or paid, and refund data. It is mandatory to file GSTR-8 for the eCommerce operators.

Due date to file GSTR-8

The GST due date to file GSTR-8 is the 10th of the next month of the taxation period. Presently, there is no late charge involved in filing a return with late payment, but interest is charged on delay when the TCS liability is discharged.

GSTR-9

The annual GSTR is filed once by ordinary taxpayers. It has purchase, sale, refund claimed, and input tax credit. GSTR is non-compulsory for businesses with a turnover of 2 crores.

The GSTR-9 should be filed by a registered taxpayer and a taxpayer who has submitted the composition scheme to regular taxpayers. Those with a turnover over 2 crores should get their auditing done by CA and CWA and file GSTR-9.

Due date to file GSTR-9

The GST annual return due date is 31st December. A NIL return is filed when the following situations are met:

• No claim of input tax credit
• No purchases done
• No sales done
• No other liability to report
• No refund to claim
• No order to create a tax liability
• No late fee pending

GSTR-9A

The taxpayers who have opted for the composition scheme pay the yearly GSTR. It includes purchases, sales, refunds and claims, taxes paid, late fees paid or due, and the credit availed or reversed. The government has waived the return because of the troubles experienced by the composition dealers.

GSTR 9A should be filed by regular taxpayers who have chosen the Composition Scheme for any tenure during a financial year and should have details of:

• Those who have signed up for the composition scheme from the beginning and never signed out in the succeeding year.
• Those who have chosen the composition scheme at any time of the year.
• Those who have selected the composition scheme but signed out next year.

Due date to file GSTR-9A

The GST annual return due date is 31st December of the subsequent financial year. A NIL return can be filed for GSTR-9A if no business transaction has occurred in the past year.

GSTR-10

A regular taxpayer who got his GST registration canceled or surrendered should file a GSTR-10 return. It is also known as a final return. It should be filed by all taxpayers, eliminating the following:

• People collecting tax at source, according to section 52
• Composition taxpayers, according to section 10
• People deducting tax at source, according to section 51
• Non-resident taxable people
• Input Service Distributor

Due date to file GSTR-10

The period to file this return is:

• Within three months from the cancellation date
• Order of cancellation date, whichever is later.

GSTR-11

UIN holders file the GSTR-11. The aim is to repay all GST paid tax amounts collected by the UIN-holding people. It has information on purchases filed by an assessee who was given the Unique Identification Number. The person with UIN should file GSTR-11.

Due date to file GSTR-11

GSTR-11 is filed monthly, depending on the UIN holder’s inward supply. And the due date to file is the 28th of next month.

Types of GST Returns (Shortened)

What Is The Significance of Filing GST Returns?

Different types of GST returns filing hold different importance for each sector.

For businesses:

• Helps to abide by the GST regulations and requisitions.
• Helps to calculate a precise tax liability
• Helps to claim ITC

For government:

• An efficient method to get data from the taxpayers
• Monitor tax evasion data
• Helpful in drafting future policies
• Resourceful in collecting financial details of companies

How To File GST Returns?

The fundamental steps included in filing GSTR are:

Step 1: Uploading the sale information

Step 2: Auto-updating the purchase information

Step 3: Auto settlement and reversal of ITC

Step 4: Online return filing

What Are The Different Methods To File GST Returns?

GSTR can be filed using two methods:

1. Online

The different types of GST returns can be filed online via the Government website or third-party applications/websites.

2. Offline

The GSTR is filed online by government portal utilities and GST Suvidha Providers.

Additional Information on Penalties

Let’s look at the penalties that may result from the late filing of GST returns.

1. Late Filing of GST Returns

According to GST regulations, return filing is compulsory; even with no transaction, file a NIL return.

Some of the noteworthy to consider here are:

• The return cannot be filed if the past month’s/ quarter’s return is not filed.
• The late filing of GSTR has a falling impact, causing hefty penalties and fines.
• The GSTR-1 late filing fee is instantly added to the GSTR-3B liability ledger.

2. Interest and Late Fees Included

• An interest of 18% annually has to be paid. It is audited by the taxpayer and calculated on the outstanding tax amount. It has to be added to the net tax liability measured in the ledger while making the payment. The period is from the due date of filing to the date the payment is made.
• According to the CGST Act, the late fee for GST is INR 100 per day. So, in total, it is INR 200 per day (INR 100 for SGST and INR 100 for CGST). But, the highest levy is INR 5000. No late fee is charged under the IGST Act. However, for two types of GST returns (GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B), the late fee was lowered to INR 50 per day and INR 20 per day for NIL.
• Submitting GST returns with wrong or insufficient data can call for a penalty of INR 25,000.

Conclusion

The filing of various types of GST returns is essential to the tax structure of the economy to reform the country. GST is a positive and mandatory change that business sectors need, considering the future. 

Filing your preferred GST returns types punctually holds several benefits for businesses. There is a noticeable and prominent decline in transportation prices and a drop in the price of locally supplied products. Hence, each taxpayer must be well-informed and remain up to date with the various types of GST returns and their updates.

Amaey Anand

Amaey Anand is a certified accountant with over 10 years of experience in the finance industry. He has worked with various organizations to streamline their petty cash management processes and reduce inefficiencies. He has also written several articles on financial management for leading publications such as Zensuggest and The Wall Street Journal.