The government of India is shifting their processes online to ease up the tasks for the public. Every business that is registered with the government and is operating in India have to file a monthly, quarterly, or annual GST returns report based on the type of business. With this, the taxpayers have to file multiple returns for each financial year.
What is GST Return?
The Goods and Service Tax (GST) is a single indirect tax that is levied on the supply of goods and services between different entities. GST returns are forms that are filed for tax returns, and the business owners fill these with the Income Tax Authorities of India. Every entity and person that is registered under the GST Act has to give out details of every single purchase of the goods and services that are offered by them.
This implementation of the system in India as every year we hear the news about tax evasion frauds and a system like this would make sure that the process of registration, returns, and compliance is transparent and straightforward. An individual will have to file four forms for a year that will include a return of supplies, return of purchases, annual return, and monthly return.
Different types of GST returns are:
1. GSTR-1
To be filed for outward supplies of taxable goods and services. To be filed monthly.
2. GSTR-3B
This is a simple return in which a summary of outward supplies with Input Tax Credit is declared, and the taxpayer pays tax. To be filed monthly.
3. GSTR-4
This form is for a taxpayer who is registered under composition tax, and this has to be filed quarterly.
4. GSTR-5
This is to be submitted by a non-resident foreign taxable person and this has to be filed monthly.
5. GSTR-6
Input Service Distributor files this, and it has to be filed every month.
6. GSTR-7
Submitted by authorities that deduct tax at source, and it has to be filed monthly.
7. GSTR-8
Information about supplies sent through the e-commerce operator and the amount of tax collected by them. It has to be filed every month.
8. GSTR-9
To be submitted for annual return by a regular taxpayer.
9. GSTR-9A
To be filed annually by a taxpayer who has registered under the composition levy anytime during the year.
10. GSTR-10
This is the final return that has to be filed by a person whose registration has been canceled or surrendered. To be filed within three months of cancellation or date of cancellation order.
11. GSTR-11
Details of the inward supplies will be filed in this by a person who is having a UIN claiming a refund, and it has to be filed on the 28th of the month.
How to file GST returns online?
Any taxpayer can file the GST return online with the help of the software or the apps that are provided by Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN), which adds all the information on each GSTR form.
These are the steps that a taxpayer can follow to file GST returns online
- Open your browser and visit www.gst.gov.in
- Enter the 15-digit GST number that is issued depending on your state code and PAN number
- Add invoices by uploading them on the GST portal or software, and for every invoice, a reference number will be issued.
- After invoices, the outward return, inward return, and cumulative monthly return have to be filed online. In case of any errors, you can correct the information and refile the returns.
- Outward supply returns to be filed in GSTR-1 through the information section at GST Common Portal (GSTN) on or before the 10th of the following month.
- Information on outward supplies to be added by the supplier will be available in GSTR-2A to the recipient.
- These details are then verified, validated, and modified by the recipient. Information about the credit and debit notes will be added here.
- The recipient will add details of inward supplies of taxable goods and services in the GSTR-2 form.
- The supplier can either accept or reject the modifications that are done to details of inward supplies. These are made available by the recipient in GSTR-1A.
