GST Returns and their Due Dates

GST or the Goods and Services Tax was introduced in India on July 1, 2017, and it brought about a significant change in the way taxes were levied in the country. GST is a comprehensive tax that subsumes all indirect taxes such as excise duty, service tax, and VAT, among others. GST has replaced all these taxes and has made the tax system simpler and more transparent.

GST is a tax that is levied on the supply of goods and services. It is a destination-based tax, which means that it is levied at the place where the goods or services are consumed. GST has made the tax system more efficient and has reduced the burden of multiple taxes on businesses.

Under the GST regime, taxpayers are required to file various returns depending on the nature of their business. The returns have to be filed on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, depending on the turnover of the taxpayer. In this article, we will discuss the different GST returns that need to be filed by taxpayers and their due dates.

GSTR-1

GSTR-1 is a monthly return that needs to be filed by every registered taxpayer, except for those who have opted for the composition scheme. GSTR-1 contains details of all the outward supplies made by the taxpayer in a month. The due date for filing GSTR-1 is the 11th of the next month. For example, the GSTR-1 return for the month of January 2022 is due by February 11, 2022.

GSTR-2A

GSTR-2A is an auto-generated return that contains details of all the inward supplies received by the taxpayer. The details are auto-populated from the GSTR-1 returns filed by the supplier. The taxpayer has to verify the details and make any necessary changes. GSTR-2A can be viewed on the GST portal at any time, and there is no specific due date for filing it.

GSTR-3B

GSTR-3B is a monthly return that needs to be filed by every registered taxpayer, except for those who have opted for the composition scheme. GSTR-3B is a summary return that contains details of all the outward and inward supplies made by the taxpayer, along with the tax payable and the input tax credit claimed. The due date for filing GSTR-3B is the 20th of the next month. For example, the GSTR-3B return for the month of January 2022 is due by February 20, 2022.

GSTR-4

GSTR-4 is a quarterly return that needs to be filed by taxpayers who have opted for the composition scheme. GSTR-4 contains details of all the outward supplies made by the taxpayer in a quarter, along with the tax payable. The due date for filing GSTR-4 is the 18th of the month following the quarter. For example, the GSTR-4 return for the quarter ending December 2021 is due by January 18, 2022.

GSTR-5

GSTR-5 is a monthly return that needs to be filed by non-resident taxpayers. GSTR-5 contains details of all the outward supplies made by the taxpayer in a month, along with the tax payable. The due date for filing GSTR-5 is the 20th of the next month. For example, the GSTR-5 return for the month of January 2022 is due by February 20, 2022.

GSTR-6

GSTR-6 is a monthly return that needs to be filed by input service distributors. An input service distributor is a person who receives invoices from suppliers for the supply of goods or services to different branches of the same entity. GSTR-6 contains details of all the invoices received by the input service distributor, along with the tax payable. The due date for filing GSTR-6 is the 13th of the next month. For example, the GSTR-6 return for the month of January 2022 is due by February 13, 2022.

GSTR-7

GSTR-7 is a monthly return that needs to be filed by taxpayers who are required to deduct TDS (tax deducted at source) under GST. GSTR-7 contains details of all the TDS deducted and paid by the taxpayer in a month. The due date for filing GSTR-7 is the 10th of the next month. For example, the GSTR-7 return for the month of January 2022 is due by February 10, 2022.

GSTR-8

GSTR-8 is a monthly return that needs to be filed by e-commerce operators who are required to collect TCS (tax collected at source) under GST. GSTR-8 contains details of all the supplies made by the e-commerce operator, along with the tax collected. The due date for filing GSTR-8 is the 10th of the next month. For example, the GSTR-8 return for the month of January 2022 is due by February 10, 2022.

GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is an annual return that needs to be filed by every registered taxpayer, except for those who have opted for the composition scheme. GSTR-9 contains details of all the outward and inward supplies made by the taxpayer in a financial year, along with the tax payable and the input tax credit claimed. The due date for filing GSTR-9 is December 31 of the next financial year. For example, the GSTR-9 return for the financial year 2021-22 is due by December 31, 2022.

GSTR-9A

GSTR-9A is an annual return that needs to be filed by taxpayers who have opted for the composition scheme. GSTR-9A contains details of all the outward supplies made by the taxpayer in a financial year, along with the tax payable. The due date for filing GSTR-9A is December 31 of the next financial year. For example, the GSTR-9A return for the financial year 2021-22 is due by December 31, 2022.

GSTR-9C

GSTR-9C is an annual return that needs to be filed by every registered taxpayer whose turnover exceeds Rs. 2 crores in a financial year. GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement that contains details of all the outward and inward supplies made by the taxpayer in a financial year, along with the tax payable and the input tax credit claimed. GSTR-9C also contains a certified audited statement of the taxpayer's accounts by a chartered accountant or a cost accountant. The due date for filing GSTR-9C is December 31 of the next financial year. For example, the GSTR-9C return for the financial year 2021-22 is due by December 31, 2022.

It is essential for taxpayers to file their GST returns on time to avoid penalties and interest. The due dates for filing GST returns should be carefully noted and adhered to, to ensure compliance with the GST laws.