GSTR-5A is a specific GST return filed every month. In this article, we will discuss about GST return for non-resident OIDAR service providers in detail.
Latest update
7th June 2025
GSTN via advisory implemented the restriction of not allowing the taxpayers to file their GSTR-3B after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said return. The said change will be made effective on the GST portal from July 2025 tax period.
In today’s world, the businesses are not bound by the national boundaries. One of the mediums to provide services in India from abroad is through the use of the internet. There are various models through which these services are offered to the service users.
For example, Amazon providing cloud-based services (AWS) from the United States in India. A common trade parlance used for these services is Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval (OIDAR) services. So OIDAR services are primarily a category of services which are provided by using the internet as a medium. These services are even received by the service recipient without having a physical interface with the service provider.
OIDAR services are brought under GST with a view to make sure that the domestic service providers have an equal opportunity (in terms of cost as well).
The OIDAR services have been brought into the tax bracket under the GST regime as well. A Return in Form GSTR-5A has been prescribed which is to be furnished by the OIDAR service providers providing services to unregistered service recipients in India.There is two category of service recipients for such services:
A. Registered person/entity
The taxes on services received by such person/entity are imposed through a reverse charge mechanism (i.e. the recipient of services is liable to pay GST to the government). The GST as explained is paid by the recipients through the reverse charge mechanism. The returns are to be filed accordingly, i.e. the service receipts are to file returns or include these services while filing the returns.
B. An unregistered person, Government, Local authority
When the services are received by such recipients, the service providers are liable to pay GST to the government. The services received in this case should be for a purpose other than business or commerce. For these service recipients, the GSTR 5A is to be filed.
As per the act, a return under Form GSTR 5A has to be filed monthly. The due date for filing GSTR 5A is within 20th day of the succeeding month. For example, GSTR 5A for the services provided in the month of March 2025 has to be filed latest by 20th April 2025. There are certain conditions and precautions which one should adhere to for/while filing GSTR 5A.
I. The return is to be filed even if there is no business activity for any period under tax (Nil return in such cases)
II. The filing of GSTR 5A is mandatory for the non-resident OIDAR service providers
III. No Input Tax Credit is available in GSTR 5A and so the electronic cash ledger for GSTR 5A isn’t maintained
IV. The return can be filed only after payment of due taxes and any other amounts due
V. Return for current period can’t be filed before filing return for the previous tax period
The GSTR 5A format is shown below for reference: Return format
Table 1: GSTIN of the supplier
Table 2: Legal Name of the Registered Person & Trade Name (if any)
Table 3: Name of the Authorised representative in India filing the return
Table 4: Period i.e. Month & Year for which return is filed
Table 5: Taxable outward supplies made to consumers in India – including details of place of supply, the rate of tax, taxable value, integrated tax and cess
Table 5A: Amendments to taxable outward supplies made to non-taxable persons in India for the preceding period
Table 6: Calculation of interest, penalty or any other amount
Table 7: Tax Interest, Late Fee, and any other amount payable and paid
On the successful filing of GSTR 5A, an acknowledgement is generated and is also communicated automatically through an email to the taxpayer.
If there is a delay in filing of the Form GSTR 5A, the following late fees are payable:
Type of return | Late fees applicable |
Normal Return | Rs. 200 per day |
NIL Return | Rs. 100 per day |
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