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.

The post All About Types of GST Returns first appeared on ITC Reconciliation, GSTR 2A Reconciliation - Digitax Automation.

• Perks of GST for business and industry – 

1.    Easy compliance: A robust and comprehensive IT system is the core foundation of the GST regime in India. Henceforth, all the taxpayer services such as registrations, returns, payments, etc. are available to the taxpayers online, which make the compliance pretty easy and transparent.
2.  Removal of cascading: GST is providing a reduction in the hidden costs of doing business. Developed as a system of seamless tax-credits throughout the value-chain, and across boundaries of States, it ensures that there is minimal cascading of taxes. 
3. Uniformity of tax rates and structures: GST has increased the ease of doing business and certainty by ensuring that indirect tax rates and structures are common across the country. Basically, GST has made business in the country tax neutral, irrespective of the choice of place of conducting business.
4. Gain to manufacturers and exporters: GST has reduced the cost of locally manufactured goods and services which in turn has increased the competitiveness of Indian goods and services in the international market and giving a boost to Indian exports as the compliance cost has been reduced due to GST. 
5. Improved competitiveness: Due to the introduction of GST, there has been a significant reduction in the transaction costs of doing business which has eventually lead to an improved competitiveness for the trade and industry.

• Perks of GST for Central and State Governments – 

1. Better controls on leakage: GST has resulted in better tax compliance due to a strong IT infrastructure. And the seamless transfer of input tax credit (ITC) from one stage to another in the chain of value addition, there is an in-built mechanism in the design of GST that has incentivized tax compliance by traders.
2. Simple and easy way to administer: Multiple indirect taxes at the Central and State levels have already been replaced by GST. With a strong end-to-end IT system, GST has made it simpler and easier to administer it than all other indirect taxes of the Centre and State that had been levied so far.
3. Higher revenue efficiency: GST has resulted as an effective measure in decreasing the cost of collection of tax revenues of the Government, and, therefore, has lead to higher revenue efficiency.

• Perks of GST for the consumer – 

1. GST turn out to be a transparent tax proportionate to the value of goods and services: GST has helped in removing the hidden tax on the commodities which has made transparency possible between the manufacturer and consumer, leading a way of paying one tax to the final consumer.
2. A big relief in overall tax burden: Due to the efficiency gains and prevention of leakages, the overall tax burden on most commodities have come down benefitting the consumers.

The post Benefits of Goods and Services Tax first appeared on ITC Reconciliation, GSTR 2A Reconciliation - Digitax Automation.

Offences under the GST Act – 

Invoicing and Documentation related offences under the GST Act – 

1. Supplying goods and services without issuing an invoice or with issuing a false or incorrect invoice. 
2. Using GSTIN of a different GST registered person or entity for issuing invoice or document. 
3. Transporting taxable goods without the appropriate or correct documentation.
4. Issuing a GST invoice without supplying goods or services in reality. 
5. Failing to maintain relevant documents and records as per the requirements of the GST Act. 

 Tax Evasion related offences under the GST Act –

1. Tax evasion by deliberately under-reporting or suppressing overall turnover. 
2. Collecting the tax from a receiver of goods/services but failing to pay tax to the government within three months of the due date. 
3. Collecting the GST in contravention of provisions specified by the GST Act but failing to pay tax to the government within three months of the due date.
4. Trying to take and utilise the Input Tax Credit (ITC) without the actual receipt or supply of goods or services. 
5. Avoiding tax liability under subsection 2 of Section 52 of GST Act, i.e., Failing to deduct tax, or even if deducting tax, the amount deducted is less than the actual amount or not paying the tax owed to the government.
6. Avoiding tax liability under subsection 3 of Section 52 of GST Act,i.e., Failing to deduct tax, or even if deducting tax, the deducted amount is less than the actual amount deducted or not paying the tax owed to the government.
7. Breaching Section 20 and its sub-sections of GST Act by taking and utilising Input Tax Credit(ITC). 

 Fraudulent Intent related offences under the GST Act – 

1. Submitting false information at the time of GST registration or a later date.
2. Supplying fraudulent information to obtain a GST refund. 
3. Fabricating documents or records and provide incorrect information with the intention of tax evasion.
4. Avoiding registration under GST when it is necessary to do so as per the GST Act. 
5. Damaging and disposing of the goods that have been seized or detained under the GST Act.
6. Intentionally, supplying, transporting and storing the confiscated goods as per the GST rules. 

 Obstruction related offences under the GST Act – 

1. Obstructing any official from performing his/her duties as per the GST Act. For instance, hindering an officer during the audit by tax authorities. 
2. Meddling with or destroying material pieces of evidence or documents. 
3. Providing fabricated or false information to an officer during proceedings. 

GST Act – Minor Breach and Major Breach 

GST Penalties for the offences under the GST Act – 

In Case Of Fraud – 

• Abated someone in committing the fraud. 
• Acquired goods or services which are against the provisions of GST, even after having the information in this regard. 
• Failed in/to issuing/issue a genuine invoice.
• Failed to maintain the proper records or the books of accounts.
• Failed to appear before the ad rem authority upon a summon issued to his/her name.

1. If the amount of tax involved is up to Rs. 50 lakhs, then the person has to serve a jail term of 1 year along with paying the penalty.
2. If the amount ranges between Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 1 crore, then the jail term shall rise up to three years with the penalty. 
3. If the amount is more than Rs. 1 crore, then the person shall face a jail term up to 5 years plus the penalty.

Prosecution –

• Issuing an invoice without making a supply of goods or services.
• Claiming a refund of CGST/SGST by fraud.
• Abetting in the fraud under GST. 
• Submitting fake documents or returns.

The post Offences and Penalties under the GST Act first appeared on ITC Reconciliation, GSTR 2A Reconciliation - Digitax Automation.