Online GSTR-9 Filings
GSTR-9 is an annual return that must be filed by all registered taxpayers under GST, except for a few exceptions. It is a summary of the monthly or quarterly returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-2A/2B, GSTR-3B) filed during a financial year. It contains the details of outward supplies, inward supplies, tax liability, and input tax credit availed under different tax heads and HSN codes. It also includes information about any amendments, advances, refunds, or demands pertaining to the financial year. GSTR-9 Filings online is a simple and convenient process that can be done by following the steps. By filing GSTR-9, taxpayers can comply with the GST laws and avoid any penalties or interest. They can also reconcile their data with their annual accounts and books of records. Filing GSTR-9 also helps the tax authorities in conducting audit and assessment of the taxpayers. Therefore, it is advisable for all the eligible taxpayers to file GSTR-9 on time and with accuracy. For any further assistance or queries, taxpayers can contact the GST helpline or visit the GST portal.
Filing GSTR-9 is mandatory for all regular taxpayers, even if they have no transactions or business activity during the year. However, the following categories of taxpayers are exempt from filing GSTR-9:
- Taxpayers opting for composition scheme (They must file GSTR-9A)
- Casual Taxable Person
- Non-resident Taxable Person
- Input Service Distributor
- Unique Identification Number Holders
- Online Information and Database Access Retrieval (OIDAR) Service providers
- Persons paying TDS under section 51 of CGST Act
The due date for GSTR-9 filings for a financial year is 31st December of the next financial year. For example, the due date for filing GSTR-9 for FY 2022-23 is 31st December 2023. However, the government may extend the due date in case of any exigencies or difficulties faced by the taxpayers.
Filing GSTR-9 is important for ensuring compliance with GST laws and avoiding any penalties or interest. It also helps in reconciling the data reported in the monthly or quarterly returns with the annual accounts and books of records. It also facilitates the audit and assessment process by the tax authorities.
Legal Provisions related to GSTR-9
The legal provisions related to GSTR-9 are as follows:
- Section 44 of CGST Act, 2017: This section mandates every registered person, other than those specified in section 44(1), to furnish an annual return for every financial year electronically in Form GSTR-9 on or before the 31st day of December following the end of such financial year.
- Rule 80 of CGST Rules, 2017: This rule prescribes the form and manner of filing GSTR-9. It also specifies that every electronic commerce operator required to collect tax at source under section 52 shall furnish an annual statement in Form GSTR-9B.
Eligibility criteria for GSTR-9 filings
The eligibility criteria for GSTR-9 filings are as follows:
- The taxpayer must be registered under GST as a regular taxpayer during any part of the financial year.
- The taxpayer must have a valid GSTIN and login credentials to access the GST portal.
- The taxpayer must have filed all the monthly or quarterly returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B) for the financial year before filing GSTR-9.
- The taxpayer must have paid all the tax dues and interest or penalties, if any, arising from the monthly or quarterly returns.
Documents required from the client for GSTR-9
The documents required from the client for GSTR-9 filings are as follows:
- GST login credentials (username and password) to access the GST portal
- A valid digital signature certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar based electronic verification code (EVC) to authenticate and sign the return.
- A copy of all the monthly or quarterly returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B) filed during the financial year.
- A copy of all the invoices, credit notes, debit notes, advance receipts, refund vouchers, payment vouchers, etc. issued or received during the financial year.
- A copy of all the books of accounts and ledgers maintained for GST purposes.
- A copy of all the tax payment challans generated during the financial year.
Procedure for GSTR-9 filings
Following is the procedure for GSTR-9 Filings:
Step 1: Login to the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in) using your GSTIN and password. Go to the Services > Returns > Annual Return option.
Step 2: Select the financial year for which you want to file GSTR-9 and click on the Prepare Online button. You will see a dashboard with various tables and sections of GSTR-9.
Step 3: Fill in the details in each table and section as per the instructions given on the portal. You can use the auto-drafted values from the monthly or quarterly returns or edit them as per your records. You can also use the help section or the user manual for guidance.
Step 4: After filling in all the details, click on the Compute Liabilities button to calculate the tax liability or refund, if any, arising from GSTR-9. You can also preview the draft GSTR-9 before submitting it.
Step 5: If there is any additional tax liability, you have to create a challan and pay the tax using the Payment of Tax option. You can also claim any refund due to you using the Refund option.
Step 6: After paying the tax or claiming the refund, you have to submit GSTR-9 using your DSC or EVC. You will receive an acknowledgement message and an ARN on your registered email and mobile number.
Step 7: You can download the filed GSTR-9 from the portal using the View Filed Return option. You can also track the status of your return using the Track Return.
Penalty for Late GSTR-9 Filings
- Commencing from the financial year 2022-23, there has been an adjustment in the penalty provisions related to the GSTR-9 annual return form. For taxpayers with an annual turnover up to Rs. 5 crores, the revised daily penalty is Rs. 50, with Rs. 25 attributed to SGST and Rs. 25 to CGST. In cases where the turnover surpasses Rs. 5 crores, the late fee is set at Rs. 100 per day, comprising Rs. 50 for SGST and Rs. 50 for CGST.
- It is crucial to bear in mind that the total penalty amount should not exceed 0.25% of the total turnover subjected to the penalty, adhering to the modified penalty structure for the GSTR-9 annual return form in the financial year 2022-23.
