GST Returns – Complete & Easy Guide
What is a GST Return • Which return to file • Who must file what
Prepared as per latest available GST information
A GST Return is a statement that a GST-registered person files with the GST Department to report details of business transactions for a specific period.
Through GST returns, the government comes to know:
- How much sales (outward supply) you have made
- How much purchases (inward supply) you have done
- How much GST you have collected
- How much Input Tax Credit (ITC) you are claiming
- How much tax you have paid to the government
Important: Once GST registration is taken, filing GST returns becomes mandatory even if there is no business activity (Nil Return).
Why are GST Returns Important?
- Ensures proper payment of GST to the government
- Allows claiming of Input Tax Credit (ITC)
- Helps avoid notices, penalties and late fees
- Keeps GST registration active
- Builds compliance history of the business
GST Returns for Regular Taxpayers
These returns are applicable to most businesses registered under the Regular GST scheme.
🔹 GSTR-1 – Details of Sales
GSTR-1 contains invoice-wise details of all outward supplies (sales) made during the period.
- Includes B2B and B2C sales
- Exports and credit/debit notes
- No tax payment is done in GSTR-1
🔹 GSTR-3B – Monthly Summary & Tax Payment
GSTR-3B is a summary return used for payment of GST.
- Summary of sales and purchases
- ITC claimed
- GST payable and paid
- Most important return for compliance
🔹 GSTR-9 – Annual Return
GSTR-9 is a yearly consolidation of all returns filed during the financial year.
- Mandatory if annual turnover exceeds ₹2 Crore
- Optional for taxpayers having turnover up to ₹2 Crore (as per current relaxations)
🔹 GSTR-9C – Reconciliation Statement
GSTR-9C reconciles figures reported in GST returns with audited financial statements.
- Mandatory if annual turnover exceeds ₹5 Crore
- Certification by CA / CMA required (as applicable)
GST Returns for Composition Scheme
Composition scheme is meant for small taxpayers who want lower tax rates and simplified compliance.
🔹 CMP-08
- Quarterly statement-cum-challan
- Used for payment of composition tax
🔹 GSTR-4
- Annual return for composition dealers
- Contains summary of turnover and tax paid
Other Important GST Returns
- GSTR-5 – For non-resident taxable persons
- GSTR-5A – For OIDAR service providers from outside India
- GSTR-6 – For Input Service Distributors (ISD)
- GSTR-6A – Auto-drafted details of inward supplies for ISD.
- GSTR-7 – For persons deducting TDS under GST
- GSTR-7A – TDS certificate issued to the deductee.
- GSTR-8 – For e-commerce operators collecting TCS
- GSTR-10 – Final return after cancellation of GST registration
- GSTR-11 – For UIN holders (embassies, UN bodies, etc.)
What is a Nil GST Return?
A Nil Return is filed when there is:
- No sales
- No purchases
- No GST liability
Even in such cases, filing of applicable GST return (usually GSTR-3B or CMP-08) is compulsory.
📅 GST Return Due Dates (Latest)
| GST Return | Who Should File | Frequency | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSTR-1 | Regular taxpayers (Sales details) | Monthly / Quarterly | 11th of next month/ 13th after quarter |
| GSTR-3B | All regular taxpayers | Monthly / Quarterly | 20th of next month/ 22nd/24th after quarter |
| CMP-08 | Composition dealers | Quarterly | 18th of month after quarter |
| GSTR-4 | Composition dealers | Annual | 30th June (following FY) |
| GSTR-5 | Non-resident taxable persons | Monthly | 13th of next month |
| GSTR-6 | Input Service Distributor (ISD) | Monthly | 13th of next month |
| GSTR-7 | TDS deductors | Monthly | 10th of next month |
| GSTR-8 | E-commerce operators (TCS) | Monthly | 10th of next month |
| GSTR-9 | Regular taxpayers (up to ₹2 Crore optional) | Annual | 31st December (following FY) |
| GSTR-9C | Taxpayers > ₹5 Cr turnover | Annual | 31st December (following FY) |
| GSTR-10 | After GST cancellation | One-time | Within 3 months of cancellation |
| GSTR-11 | UIN holders | Monthly | 28th of next month |