The GST Annual Return is a document that business taxpayers must file once per year with the tax authorities of India. It contains the details of all sales, purchases, input tax credit (ITC), and output GST for the financial year.

As per the CGST Act 2017, every registered person is required to file an annual return under GST except for:

1. Casual taxable persons
2. Input service distributors
3. Non-resident taxable persons
4. Persons paying tax under Section 51 (TDS Collector) or Section 52 (TCS Collector)
   
   

Types of GST Annual Returns

There are different types of GST Annual Returns, depending upon the type of registration and transactions. These include:

1. GSTR 9: Filed by the regular taxpayers filing GSTR 1, GSTR 2, and GSTR 3.
   
   
2. GSTR 9A: Filed by persons registered under the GST composition scheme.
   
   
3. GSTR 9B: Filed by e-commerce operators who have filed GSTR 8 during the financial year.
   
   
4. GSTR 9C: Filed by taxpayers whose annual turnover exceeds ₹2 crores during the financial year. It is a reconciliation statement, filed along with the annual return, but also needs certification from a CA/CMA.
   
   

Key Components of GST Annual Return

GST Annual Return, GSTR 9, comprises the following components:

1. Basic details of the taxpayer, including the financial year, GSTIN, and legal and trade name.
   
   
2. Details of outward and inward supplies declared during the financial year.
   
   
3. Details of ITC declared in returns filed during the financial year.
   
   
4. Details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the financial year.
   
   
5. Particulars of the transactions for the previous financial year declared in returns of April to September of the current FY or up to the date of filing of GSTR-9 of the previous FY, whichever is earlier.
   
   
6. Other information comprises GST demands and refunds, supplies received from composition taxpayers, deemed supply under section 143, and goods sent on an approval basis.
   
   

How to File GST Annual Return

The GST Annual Return is filed online through the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in). You’ll need your login credentials (username and password) which would have been given to you at the time of GST registration. The process involves filling in all the required details, digitally signing the return, and finally submitting it.

Here are the steps for filing a GST Annual Return (GSTR-9) online.

Step 1: Log in to the GST Portal

Visit the GST portal at www.gst.gov.in. Click on ‘Login’ and enter your username and password to sign in.

Step 2: Navigate to Annual Return

After logging in, go to the ‘Services’ tab. From the dropdown, select ‘Returns’ and then ‘Annual Return’.

Step 3: Select the Financial Year

You will be prompted to select the relevant financial year for which you need to file the annual return. Choose the correct year and then click ‘Search’.

Step 4: Select the Return Filing Period

Here, you’ll be able to select the type of return to be filed. In this case, you’ll need to select ‘Annual Return’. Click on ‘Prepare Online’ to proceed.

Step 5: Enter the Details

Now, you will have to enter all the necessary details in the form. This will include details of purchases, sales, input tax credit, and output GST among other details. The form will have several tabs, each asking for a specific set of details.

Step 6: Preview Form

Once all the details have been filled in, you can click on ‘Preview’ to review all the information you have entered. Make sure that all the information is correct.

Step 7: Compute Liabilities and Late Fees, if any

If there are any liabilities that need to be paid, they will be automatically calculated by the portal. Similarly, any late fees will also be automatically calculated. These need to be paid for you to be able to file the return.

Step 8: Proceed to File

Once you’re satisfied that all the details are correct and all dues are paid, click on ‘Proceed to File’. You will be prompted to confirm.

Step 9: Sign and Submit

Finally, you’ll need to sign the return digitally. This can be done using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or the Aadhaar-based Electronic Verification Code (EVC) method. Once signed, click ‘Submit’ to file your return.

Deadline for Filing GST Annual Return

The deadline for filing the GST Annual Return is generally December 31 of the next financial year. For instance, for FY 2022-2023, the deadline would be December 31, 2023.

Penalty for Late Filing

There is a penalty for late filing of the GST Annual Return. The late fee is ₹200 per day (₹100 under CGST and ₹100 under SGST) of delay. The maximum amount of penalty is an amount calculated at a quarter percent of the taxpayer turnover in the state or union territory.