In the last article, we learnt about what is GST return, the due dates of filing, late fee protocols along with the brief introduction of the types of returns. In this article we will learn about the various types of GST returns elaboratively.

So, let’s get started and go at length with types of GST returns.

1. GSTR-1

We all know that GSTR-1  is the return which is furnished for reporting details of all outward supplies of goods and services made within a  tax period. In simple words, it reports all the details of sales transactions made during a tax period. It also includes details of debit and credit notes, invoices and revised invoices issued during the tax period. If any amendments pertaining to sales invoices are made, even in regard to previous tax periods then they should also be reported in the GSTR-1 return.

GSTR-1 is to be filed by all the registered taxpayers. It is to be filed monthly, with an exception in the case of small taxpayers with a turnover up to Rs.1.5 crores in the previous financial year, who are allowed to file it quarterly.

2. GSTR-2

As we know it, GSTR-2 is the return wherein the reporting of the inward supplies of goods and services, that is,  the purchases made during a tax period. GSTR-2 return details are auto-populated from the Form GSTR-2A. The GSTR-2 return is editable unlike GSTR-2A.

GST Tip: The filing of GSTR-2 return has been suspended ever since the inception of GST.

3. GSTR-2A

GSTR-2A return is auto-populated from the GST portal based on data filed by the suppliers in their GSTR-1. It is non-editable and a read-only return. It is the return which has the details of all inward supplies of goods and services i.e. purchases made from registered suppliers during a tax period. The data is auto-populated based on data filed by the suppliers in their GSTR-1 return.

4. GSTR-3

As we discussed in the last article, GSTR-3 is a monthly summary return providing the summarized details of all outward supplies made, inward supplies received and input tax credit claimed, in addition to the details of the tax liability and taxes paid. The return is auto-generated based on the GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 returns that have been filed.

GST Tip: The filing of the GSTR-3 has been suspended ever since the inception of GST.

5. GSTR-3B

GSTR-3B is a monthly return containing details of tax collected on outward supplies and details of tax paid on input supplies. In simple words, it is a self-declaration containing the summarized details of all outward supplies made, input tax credit claimed, tax liability  and taxes paid. GSTR-3B is to be filed by all the registered taxpayers.

GST Tip: If there is no business activity for any period under tax, in such cases NIL return is to be filed.

6. GSTR-4 / CMP-08

GSTR-4 is the return that was to be filed by the registered taxpayers who opted for the Composition Scheme. But this return has now been replaced by CMP-08 return. The Composition Scheme is the scheme which requires taxpayers with turnover up to Rs.1.5 crores to opt into and pay taxes at a fixed rate on the turnover declared.

GST Tip: The CMP-08 return is a self-assessed statement-cum-payment done on a quarterly basis by the composition dealer.

7. GSTR-5

GSTR-5 is the GST return which is to be filed by non-resident foreign taxpayers, who carry out business transactions in India and are registered under GST. The return contains all business details from all of the outward supplies made to inward supplies received to credit/debit notes to  tax liability and taxes paid.

The GSTR-5 return is to be filed on a monthly basis, for each month the taxpayer is to be registered under GST in India.

8. GSTR-6

GSTR-6 is a monthly return which is to be filed by an Input Service Distributor (ISD). It contains the details of input tax credit received and distributed by the ISD. It also contains the details of all the documents issued for distribution of input credit and the manner of distribution. The return is to be filed before the 13th of next month.

9. GSTR-7

GSTR-7 is a monthly return to be filed by persons who are required to deduct TDS (Tax deducted at source) under GST. GSTR 7 contains all the details of TDS deducted, the TDS liability payable and paid and TDS refund claimed, if any.

10. GSTR-8

GSTR-8 is a monthly return to be filed by e-commerce operators under GST who are required to collect tax at source (TCS). GSTR-8 contains all the details of supplies made through the E-commerce platform, and the amount of TCS collected on such supplies.

11. GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is the annual return to be filed once in a year by the taxpayers registered under GST. It contains the details of all outward supplies made, inward supplies received during the year under different tax heads i.e. CGST, SGST & IGST and HSN codes. It also consists of all the details of taxes payable and paid. It is a consolidation of all the monthly or quarterly returns, i.e., GSTR-1, GSTR-2A, GSTR-3B filed during the year.

Exceptions to GSTR-9 are the taxpayers under the Composition Scheme, Casual Taxable Persons, Non-resident Taxable Persons, Input Service Distributors and the persons paying TDS under section 51 of the CGST Act.

GST Tip: The 37th GST Council meeting has decided GSTR-9 filing to be optional for the businesses with turnover up to Rs.2 crore in FY 17-18 and FY 18-19.

12. GSTR-9A

GSTR-9A is an annual return to be filed by the taxpayers who have opted for the Composition Scheme in a financial year. It consolidates the information of all the quarterly returns filed during the financial year.

GST Tip: The 37th GST Council meeting took the decision to waive off filing of GSTR-9A for Composition taxpayers for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19.

13. GSTR-9C

GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement to be filed by all the registered taxpayers under GST whose annual turnover exceeds Rs.2 crores. The statement of reconciliation is between the figures as per audited financial statements of the taxpayer and the annual return GSTR-9 that has already been filed. It is certified by  a Chartered/Cost Accountant and is similar to that of a tax credit report provided under the Income-tax act.

GST Tip: GSTR-9C is to be filed for every GSTIN, thus, one PAN can have multiple GSTR-9C returns being filed.

14. GSTR-10

GSTR-10 is to be filed by a taxable person whose registration has been cancelled or surrendered under the GST. The return is also known as  final return and is required to be filed within 3 months from the date of cancellation or cancellation order, whichever is earlier.

15. GSTR-11

GSTR-11 is a return to be filed by persons who have been issued a Unique Identity Number(UIN) in order to get a refund under GST for the goods and services purchased by them in India. GSTR-11 contains the details of inward supplies received and refund claimed.

GST Tip: UIN is a classification especially made for the foreign diplomatic missions and embassies not liable to tax in India with the purpose of getting a refund of taxes.

So here are the types of GST returns and every extra information about them. Stay tuned for more such GST enhanced blogs.