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GST Return - What is GST Return? Who Should File, Due Dates & Types of GST Returns

By Annapoorna

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Updated on: Oct 4th, 2024

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5 min read

All gst registered businesses have to file monthly or quarterly GST returns and an annual GST return based on the type of business. These GSTR filings are done online on the GST portal.


Latest Updates

29th September 2024
As per the latest advisory from the GSTN, due to persistent demand from trade, the return data for July 2017 and August 2017 tha was earlier archived on 1st August and on 1st September respectively has been restored until further notice. 

24th September 2024
As per the advisory from GST Network, on 01st October 2024, data of September 2017 shall be taken down from the GST portal in line with its data archival policy of saving data up to 7 years.

What is a GST Return?

A GST return is a document containing details of all income/sales and/or expenses/purchases that a GST-registered taxpayer (every GSTIN) is required to file with the tax administrative authorities. This is used by tax authorities to calculate net tax liability.

Under GST, a registered dealer has to file GST returns that broadly include:

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

To file GST returns or for GST filings, check out the Clear GST software that allows the import of data from various ERP systems such as Tally, Busy, custom Excel, to name a few. There is also the option to use the desktop app for Tally users to directly upload data and file.

Who should file GST Returns?

Under the GST regime, regular businesses having more than Rs.5 crore as annual aggregate turnover (and taxpayers who have not opted for the QRMP scheme) have to file two monthly returns and one annual return. This amounts to 25 returns each year. 

Taxpayers with a turnover of up to Rs.5 crore have the option to file returns under the QRMP scheme. The number of GSTR filings for QRMP filers is 9 each year, which include 4 GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns each and an annual return. Note that QRMP filers have to pay tax on a monthly basis even though they are filing returns quarterly.

There are also separate statements/returns required to be filed in special cases such as composition dealers where the number of GSTR filings is 5 each year (4 statement-cum-challans in CMP-08 and 1 annual return GSTR-4).

How many returns are there under GST?

There are 13 returns under GST. They are 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. However, all returns do not apply to all taxpayers. Taxpayers file returns based on the type of taxpayer/type of registration obtained. 

Eligible taxpayers, i.e. with a turnover exceeding Rs.5 crore are also required to also file a self-certified reconciliation statement in Form GSTR-9C.

Besides the GST returns that are required to be filed, there are statements of input tax credit  available to taxpayers, namely GSTR-2A (dynamic) and GSTR-2B (static). There is also an Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) available to small taxpayers who are registered under the QRMP scheme to furnish their Business to Business (B2B) sales for the first two months of the quarter. These small taxpayers will still need to pay taxes on a monthly basis using Form PMT-06.

We have explained the various GST returns, along with applicability and due dates in the section below.

What are the different types of GST returns and the due dates to file them?

Here is a video to understand who should file GST Return and by when should it be filed –

 

Here is a list of all the returns to be filed as prescribed under the GST Law along with the due dates.

Return FormDescriptionFrequencyDue Date
GSTR-1Details of outward supplies of taxable goods and/or services affected.Monthly11th of the next month.
Quarterly (If opted under the QRMP scheme)13th of the month succeeding the quarter.
IFF (Optional by taxpayers under the QRMP scheme)Details of B2B supplies of taxable goods and/or services affected.Monthly (for the first two months of the quarter)13th of the next month.
GSTR-3BSummary return of outward supplies and input tax credit claimed, along with payment of tax by the taxpayer.Monthly20th of the next month.
Quarterly (For taxpayers under the QRMP scheme)22nd or 24th of the month succeeding the quarter***
CMP-08Statement-cum-challan to make a tax payment by a taxpayer registered under the composition scheme under Section 10 of the CGST Act.Quarterly18th of the month succeeding the quarter.
GSTR-4Return for a taxpayer registered under the composition scheme under Section 10 of the CGST Act.Annually30th of the month succeeding a financial year upto FY 23-24.
30th of June suceeding a financial year upto FY 24-25.
GSTR-5Return to be filed by a non-resident taxable person.Monthly20th of the next month. 
(Amended to 13th by Budget 2022; yet to be notified by CBIC.)
GSTR-5AReturn to be filed by non-resident OIDAR service providers.Monthly20th of the next month.
GSTR-6Return for an input service distributor to distribute the eligible input tax credit to its branches.Monthly13th of the next month.
GSTR-7Return to be filed by registered persons deducting tax at source (TDS).Monthly10th of the next month.
GSTR-8Return to be filed by e-commerce operators containing details of supplies effected and the amount of tax collected at source by them.Monthly10th of the next month.
GSTR-9Annual return by a regular taxpayer.Annually31st December of the next financial year.
GSTR-9CSelf-certified reconciliation statement.Annually31st December of the next financial year.
GSTR-10Final return to be filed by a taxpayer whose GST registration is cancelled.Once, when the GST registration is cancelled or surrendered.Within three months of the date of cancellation or date of cancellation order, whichever is later.
GSTR-11Details of inward supplies to be furnished by a person having UIN and claiming a refundMonthly28th of the month following the month for which statement is filed.
ITC-04Statement to be filed by a principal/job-worker about details of goods sent to/received from a job-workerAnnually  
(for AATO up to Rs.5 crore) 


Half-yearly 
(for AATO > Rs.5 crore)
25th April where AATO is up to Rs.5 crore. 



25th October and 25th April where AATO exceeds Rs.5 crore. 

(AATO = Annual aggregate turnover)

***For the taxpayers with aggregate turnover equal to or below Rs 5 crore, eligible and remain opted into the QRMP scheme, 22nd of month next to the quarter for taxpayers in category X states/UTs and 24th of month next to the quarter for taxpayers in category Y states/UTs 

  • Category X: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana or Andhra Pradesh or the Union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
  • Category Y: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand or Odisha or the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh and New Delhi.

Please note: GST filings as per the CGST Act are subject to changes by CBIC notifications/orders.

Upcoming Due Dates to file GST Returns

The due dates for filing GST returns can be extended by issuing orders or notifications. Here, we have the list of GST return due dates for the FY 2024-25. 

Download FY 2024-25 calendar here: GST return filing calendar April 2024 – March 2025

Upcoming due dates for all returns up to September 2024:

For easy access to upcoming GST due dates, here is the GST calendar for all returns up to September 2024:

GSTR-1

Quarterly filing of GSTR-1: 

(Annual turnover up to Rs.5 crore can opt for quarterly filing)

QuarterDue date*
Apr-Jun 202413th July 2024
Jul-Sept 202413th Oct 2024

Note: Taxpayers with a turnover of up to Rs.5 crore can opt to furnish their Business to Business (B2B) sales for the first two months of the quarter using an Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF). The deadline will be the 13th of the following month. However, GSTR-1 will still need to be filed quarterly, but the invoices already declared in the IFF need not be declared again. 

Monthly filing of GSTR-1:

(Annual turnover of more than Rs.5 crore must file monthly only)

MonthDue Date*
April 202411th May 2024
May 202411th June 2024
June 202411th July 2024
July 202411th August 2024
August 202411th September 2024
September 202411th October 2024

GSTR-2 and GSTR-3

The filing of these forms is currently suspended.

GSTR-3B

GSTR-3B is a monthly summary return to be filed by all taxpayers except those registered under the composition scheme.

Quarterly filing of GSTR-3B:

(Annual turnover up to Rs.5 crore can opt for quarterly filing)

QuarterDue date*
Apr-Jun 202422nd or 24th July 2024***
Jul-Sept 202422nd or 24th Oct 2024***

Monthly filing of GSTR-3B:

(Annual turnover of more than Rs.5 crore must file monthly only)

MonthDue Date*
April 202420th May 2024
May 202420th June 2024
June 202420th July 2024
July 202420th August 2024
August 202420th September 2024
September 202420th October 2024

***Category X: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana or Andhra Pradesh or the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

Category Y: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand or Odisha or the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh and New Delhi.

PMT-06

Taxpayers with a turnover of up to Rs.5 crore can opt to file a quarterly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B under the QRMP scheme (with an optional use of the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) to furnish their B2B sales for the first two months of the quarter).

These taxpayers will still need to pay taxes monthly using PMT-06 for the first two months of the quarter. The due dates are as follows: 
 

Period (Quarterly)Due date*
April 202425th May 2024
May 202425th June 2024
June 202425th July 2024
July 202425th July 2024

CMP-08

Period (Quarterly)Due date*
Apr-Jun 202418th July 2024
Jul-Sept 202418th Oct 2024

GSTR-4

The due date to file GSTR-4 for the FY 2023-24, the annual return by composition taxpayers, is 30th April 2024. However, for the financial year 2024-25, the due date is 30th June 2025. The due date will be revised for the future financial years accordingly. 

GSTR-5

Summary of outward taxable supplies and tax payable by the non-resident taxable persons:

Period (Monthly)Due Date*
April 202413th May 2024
May 202413th June 2024
June 202413th July 2024
July 202413th August 2024
August 202413th September 2024
September 202413th October 2024

 

GSTR-5A

Summary of outward taxable supplies and tax payable by an Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval Services (OIDAR) provider:

Period (Monthly)Due Date*
April 202420th May 2024
May 202420th June 2024
June 202420th July 2024
July 202420th August 2024
August 202420th September 2024
September 202420th October 2024

GSTR-6

Details of Input Tax Credit (ITC) received and distributed by an Input Service Distributor (ISD):

Period (Monthly)Due Date*
April 202413th May 2024
May 202413th June 2024
June 202413th July 2024
July 202413th August 2024
August 202413th September 2024
September 202413th October 2024

GSTR-7

Summary of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) and deposited under GST laws:

Period (Monthly)Due Date*
April 202410th May 2024
May 202410th June 2024
June 202410th July 2024
July 202410th August 2024
August 202410th September 2024
September 202410th October 2024

GSTR-8

Summary of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) by e-commerce operators under GST laws:

Period (Monthly)Due Date*
April 202410th May 2024
May 202410th June 2024
June 202410th July 2024
July 202410th August 2024
August 202410th September 2024
September 202410th October 2024

GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is the annual return to be filed by taxpayers. The due date for filing GSTR-9 for FY 2023-24 is 31st December 2024.

GSTR-9C

GSTR-9C is the annual self-certified reconciliation statement to be filed by taxpayers with a turnover exceeding Rs.5 crore. The due date for filing GSTR-9C for FY 2023-24 is 31st December 2024.

ITC-04

(1) Those with an annual aggregate turnover of more than Rs.5 crore – Half-yearly from April-September 2024- due on 25th October 2024 and October-March 2025 due on 25th April 2025.

(2) Those with an annual aggregate turnover of up to Rs.5 crore – Yearly due on 25th April 2025.

Statement to be filed by a principal/job-worker about details of goods sent to/received from a job-worker:

*The due dates are subject to changes by CBIC notifications/orders.

Late Fees for not Filing Return on Time

If GST returns are not filed within the specified time limits, you will be liable to pay interest and a late fee.

Interest is charged at 18% per annum. It has to be calculated by the taxpayer on the amount of outstanding tax to be paid. The time period will be from the next day of filing to the date of payment.

Late fees are charged at Rs.100 per day per Act. Hence, it will be Rs.100 under CGST and Rs.100 under SGST. The total will be Rs.200 per day, subject to a maximum of Rs.5,000. Please note that from the month of/quarter ended June 2021, the maximum amount of late fees has been revised as below.

Taxpayer categoryLate fee capped at
Taxpayers whose total amount of central tax payable is NilRs.250^
Taxpayers with an annual aggregate turnover up to Rs.1.5 crore in the previous financial yearRs.1,000^
Taxpayers with an annual aggregate turnover exceeding Rs.1.5 crore and up to Rs.5 crore in the previous financial yearRs.2,500^

^Taxpayers should note that an equal penalty will apply under SGST. There are no late fees under IGST. 

How are GST returns filed or submitted?

There are prescribed formats for each of the above GST returns. These forms need to be filed on the GST portal. However, they may seem complex and difficult to understand by many taxpayers. Do not worry, you can also file your returns very easily using the Clear GST software.

Sign-up now and try it yourself.

Does GST have to be paid monthly?

GST is to be paid monthly by regular taxpayers, even those who have opted for quarterly filing of returns, i.e. the QRMP scheme. 

However, for small taxpayers, there is an option to choose the composition scheme under GST, if their annual aggregate turnover is up to Rs.1.5 crore for manufacturers/dealers and Rs.50 lakh for pure service providers. They can file a quarterly statement-cum-challan and pay taxes quarterly.

About the Author

I preach the words, “Learning never exhausts the mind.” An aspiring CA and a passionate content writer having 4+ years of hands-on experience in deciphering jargon in Indian GST, Income Tax, off late also into the much larger Indian finance ecosystem, I love curating content in various forms to the interest of tax professionals, and enterprises, both big and small. While not writing, you can catch me singing Shāstriya Sangeetha and tuning my violin ;). Read more

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Quick Summary

GST-registered businesses file monthly/quarterly returns and annual returns. GSTN restored data for July 2017 and August 2017. Different types of GST returns exist with specific frequencies and due dates. Late fees apply for missing deadlines. Clear GST software simplifies the process.

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