The GST annual return is a report that certain businesses registered under Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India are required to file at the end of the financial year.
GST annual return consolidates all the GST-related transactions for the business, including sales, purchases, input tax credits, and output tax liabilities, for the entire financial year. It is meant to provide a comprehensive summary of the GST transactions for a financial year.
Businesses typically file Form GSTR-9 (for regular taxpayers), Form GSTR-9A (for composition scheme taxpayers) or GSTR-9B (For e-commerce operators) as annual return.
GST Annual return filing due dates
Deadline for filing the GST annual return is December 31 of the following financial year. For example, for the financial year 2023-2024, the deadline would typically be December 31, 2024.
For the financial year 2024-25, the due date of filing GST annual return will be 31st December 2025.
GSTR 9C is a reconciliation statement that needs to be filed by businesses with a turnover above a specified threshold.
The form is pre-filled with data from GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, but businesses need to verify and update this data as necessary.
Who should file the GST annual return?
Every registered person other than followings shall furnish an annual return;
- Input Service Distributor
- Person required to deduct TDS under Section 51
- Tax collector under Section 52
- Casual Taxable Person
- Non-Resident Taxable Person
- any department of the Central Government or a State Government or a local authority, whose books of account are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, or an auditor appointed for auditing the accounts of local authorities under any law for the time being in force.
As prescribed, GST annual return for every financial year is required to be filed in form GSTR-9 electronically on or before 31st day of December following the end of such financial year.
A person who opted for a composition scheme must file annual return in Form GSTR-9A.
Electronic commerce operators are required to furnish annual returns in FORM GSTR -9B.
In order to ease the compliance for small businesses, the department made GSTR-9 optional for small businesses whose aggregate turnover is up to 2 Crore rupees.
GSTR-9 is to be filed at the GSTIN level. Which means for each registration you have to file GSTR-9. If you have taken multiple registration under a single PAN, then for each GSTIN, you are required to file annual returns separately.
If a certain GSTIN has no transactions, then Nil annual return should be filed.
Please note, Form GSTR-9 does not allow for any revision after filing.
GSTR-9 contents followings;
- Part I: Basic Details
- Part II: Details of outward and inward supplies made during the financial year
- Part III: Details of ITC for the financial year
- Part IV: Details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the financial year
- Part V: Particulars of transactions for previous financial year declared in returns of Apr – Sep 2018 or up to date of filing of annual return whichever is earlier
- Part VI: Other Information
Late fees and Penalties for not filing GST annual return
If the return is not filed on time, a late fee may be applicable. Interest may be charged on any additional tax liabilities.
As per Notification No. 07/2023 and provisions of GST law here is the late fee table applicable based on annual turnover of the taxpayer.
| Turnover limit | Late fee per day | Maximum late fee |
| Up to 5 Crore rupees | Rs 50 (Rs. 25/- per day each under CGST & SGST/UTGST) | 0.04% of turnover in state/UT (0.02 % of turnover in state /UT each under CGST & SGST/UTGST) |
| More than Rs 5 crore but up to Rs. 20 cr | Rs 100 (Rs. 50/- per day each under CGST & SGST/UTGST) | 0.04% of turnover in state/UT (0.02 % of turnover in state /UT each under CGST & SGST/UTGST) |
| More than Rs 20 crore | Rs 200 (Rs 100 per day each under CGST and SGST/UTGST | 0.50% of turnover in state/UT (0.25% each under CGST and SGST/UTGST) |
GSTR-9 is to be filed by assesses whose registration has been canceled or is pending for cancellation.
Such taxpayers are required to get their accounts audited by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant and need to submit a copy of audited annual accounts and reconciliation statements.
In cases where the tax was not paid due to any reason, the same shall be declared in the GST annual return and additional tax and other liability, if any, should be discharged.
In case of excess payment of tax, all information can be declared in the GST annual return and refund may be applied through Form GST RFD-01.
A registered person shall not be allowed to furnish an annual return for a financial year after the expiry of a period of three years from the due date of furnishing the said annual return.
GSTR-9C: Should you file it along with the GST annual return in GSTR-9?
Every registered person to whom GST Annual return filing is applicable and whose aggregate turnover during a financial year exceeds 5 crore rupees, shall also furnish a self-certified GST reconciliation statement in FORM GSTR-9C along with the annual return on or before the 31st day of December following the end of such financial year, electronically.
GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement that needs to be filed by a business with an annual turnover exceeding 5 Crore rupees.GSTR-9C helps in reconciling the figures in the annual return (GSTR-9) with the audited financial statement.
The reconciliation ensures that GST reported in the GST return matches with the income and expenditure shown in the financial statement.
Type of annual return a registered person is required to furnish under GST law;
| GST Form | Type of GST return | Periodicity offiling return/Statement |
| Form GSTR–9 | Annual Return | Annually |
| Form GSTR–9A | Annual Return (For Composition Taxpayer) | Annually |
| Form GSTR–9B | Annual Return by every electronic commerce operator | Annually |
| Form GSTR–9C | Reconciliation Statement | Annually |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is filing GST Annual Return (GSTR-9) mandatory?
Yes, every registered person with aggregate turnover exceeding 2 Crores per financial year must file their GSTR-9 on or before the due date if not exempted.
Following persons are exempted from filing GSTR-9;
- Input Service Distributor
- Person required to deduct TDS under Section 51
- Tax collector under Section 52
- Casual Taxable Person
- Non-Resident Taxable Person
- any department of the Central Government or a State Government or a local authority, whose books of account are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, or an auditor appointed for auditing the accounts of local authorities under any law for the time being in force.
Can GSTR-9 be revised after filing?
No, After filing GSTR-9, you can not revise it.
My GST registration is canceled, should I file GSTR-9?
Yes, you should file your GSTR-9.
Should I file both GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C?
You should file GST annual return in Form GSTR-9 if aggregate turnover is exceeding 2 Crore for the financial year.
In addition to GSTR-9, you are required to file a GST reconciliation statement in Form GSTR-9C in your total aggregate turnover exceeding 5 Crores.
Following persons are exempted from filing GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C;
- Input Service Distributor
- Person required to deduct TDS under Section 51
- Tax collector under Section 52
- Casual Taxable Person
- Non-Resident Taxable Person
- any department of the Central Government or a State Government or a local authority, whose books of account are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, or an auditor appointed for auditing the accounts of local authorities under any law for the time being in force.
