GSTR-7: Filing Guide for TDS Deductors under GST

When a person or entity deducts tax (TDS) under GST, they must report it to the government through Form GSTR-7. This ensures transparency. It helps suppliers get credit. It also helps maintain correct tax records. This article explains who must file it, what information is needed, how to file & what happens if you miss deadlines. This article provides a GSTR-7 filing guide for TDS deductors under GST.

What is GSTR-7?

GSTR-7 is a monthly return. It is submitted by TDS deductors under GST. It captures details about the tax deducted, tax paid, and corrections to earlier returns. It helps the deductee (supplier) claim credit for the TDS deducted. From April 2025 onwards, you may also need to report invoice-level details in GSTR-7.

Who Must File GSTR-7?

The following persons/entities must deduct TDS and file GSTR-7:

A department or establishment of the Central or State Government
Local authorities
Governmental agencies
Persons or categories notified by the government (e.g. bodies with majority government equity)
Public sector undertakings, societies, and authorities set up by the government with certain equity conditions
TDS is required only when the contract/ supply value exceeds ₹2,50,000 (excluding GST) for that transaction.

Though, TDS is not deducted if the supplier's location and place of supply differ from the deductor's state (i.e., interstate supply when the place of supply differs).

Key Conditions Before Filing

Before you file GSTR-7, you must know a few conditions.

You must have a valid GST registration as a TDS deductor (active GSTIN).
You must have a user ID, password, and a valid DSC (if required).
You must have deducted TDS and paid or credited it appropriately before filing.
If there were errors in past returns then you may need to make amendments in the current return.
From October 2024, GSTR-7 returns must be filed sequentially. You cannot skip months starting from October 2024.

Due Date and Timing

The due date to file GSTR-7 is the 10th day of the month following the month in which TDS was deducted. For example, if TDS was deducted in June then GSTR-7 for June must be filed by 10th July. With filing, you must also pay the TDS amount (and any interest/late fee) before or on filing.

Note: For months with no deductions, filing a nil return may be required under new rules.

What Details to Provide

GSTR-7 has certain tables & sections. You need to fill them carefully.

Table 3: TDS Details

This table contains the deductions you made in that month. You must provide:

Deductees GSTIN
Amount paid to deductee (excluding GST)
TDS amount (CGST, SGST, IGST, parts)
Invoice/document details (where required)
Place of supply and other data when needed

Table 4: Amendments to Earlier Returns

Any corrections to earlier mistakes or rejections by the deductee must go here. You must provide the original and revised information.

Payment & Summary Section

After entering data, you compute liability, interest or fees & confirm how much you pay.

How to File GSTR-7

You can file GSTR-7 online on the GST Portal. Or you can use an offline utility to prepare and upload.

Online Filing Steps

Log in to the GST portal (gst.gov.in) with your credentials.
Go to Services → Returns → Returns Dashboard.
Select the financial year and month.
Click Prepare Online under GSTR-7.
Fill Table 3 (TDS) and Table 4 (amendments) as needed.
Click Compute Liability, verify amounts.
Proceed to payment - you pay from your electronic cash ledger.
File the return using DSC or EVC.
After filing, download or view the acknowledgement.

Offline Filing via Utility

Download the GSTR-7 offline utility (Excel format) from the portal.
Fill worksheets (TDS, amendments, supplier master).
Validate the Excel data, generate JSON.
Upload JSON via the “Prepare Offline → Upload” option in the portal.
Continue with payment and submission steps online.
If JSON has errors, correct and reupload.

TDS Certificate (Form GSTR-7A)

Once you file GSTR-7 and deposit TDS, you must issue a TDS certificate (Form GSTR-7A) to the deductee (supplier). This must be done within 5 working days of depositing TDS. The certificate will be made available to the supplier on their GST portal based on your GSTR-7.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

If you fail to follow the rules then you may face:

Interest @ 18% p.a. on the TDS amount for the delay in payment.
Late fee of ₹100 each for CGST and SGST per day (i.e. ₹200/day). Maximum ₹5,000.
If you don't issue the TDS certificate in time, a late fee of ₹100/day (max ₹5000) can apply.
The supplier may not get TDS credit until you file correctly.

If a deductee rejects your TDS credit entry then you must correct it in the next period (Table 4).

Points to Note & Recent Changes

The new format mandates invoice-level reporting in many cases.
Earlier, you could skip filing if there was no deduction in the period. Now, nil filing may be required under the new regime.
You cannot revise a filed GSTR-7. Corrections go under the next month's return.

Conclusion

GSTR-7 is an important compliance requirement for all TDS deductors under GST. It can help maintain transparency. It ensures proper tax credit for suppliers. Also, it supports smooth & easy tax reconciliation. Filing on time avoids penalties & interest. For easy process, keep correct records, verify all GSTINs & follow the due date every month.

Understanding the steps once can make the future filings easy & quick. It is important to stay compliant at all times, like the new rules on sequential filing and invoice-level reporting.

Also Read: Guidelines for Deduction and Deposit of TDS by DDO under GST

FAQs

1. What's GSTR-7?

GSTR-7 is a monthly return. It is filed by the taxpayers. Taxpayers who deduct tax at source (TDS) under GST. It shows the amount of tax deducted, paid & credited to suppliers. This form helps the government track TDS deductions. It ensures suppliers receive accurate credit in their GST accounts.

2. Who needs to file GSTR-7?

Government departments, local authorities, public sector undertakings & other notified bodies must file GSTR-7. If they deduct TDS while making payments to suppliers then they must file GSTR-7. Private businesses generally do not have to file this return. Unless it is specifically notified by the government. ‍

3. What is the due date for filing GSTR-7?

The due date for filing GSTR-7 is the 10th day of the next month after the month in which TDS was deducted. Suppose, TDS deducted in August must be reported by 10th September. It is better to file early. As it avoids last-minute errors. Also to avoid late fee charges.

4. What happens if GSTR-7 is filed late?

If GSTR-7 is filed late, a late fee of ₹200 per day (₹100 CGST + ₹100 SGST) is charged up to ₹5,000. Also, interest at 18% per year is charged on the delayed TDS payment. Late filing can delay credit to suppliers. It can create compliance issues.

5. What is Form GSTR-7A?

Form GSTR-7A is a TDS certificate automatically generated after filing GSTR-7. It must be issued to the supplier within five working days of depositing the tax. It helps them claim TDS credit in their GST account. This certificate acts as proof that tax was deducted & paid to the government on time.