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GSTR-9: Annual Return under GST - Due Date, Applicability, and Other Aspects
All entities registered under GST are bound to file an Annual Return under GST irrespective of the size and volume of business activity during the financial year. The Annual Return is a compilation of all the returns filed during the month/quarter during a particular financial year. All the business transactions undertaken during the financial year forms a part of the Annual Return.
This write-up will explain all the details of Annual Return under GST. How to file an Annual Return? What information needs to be included in the Annual Return? Applicability, late filing consequences, and other aspects related to the Annual Return are covered here.
What is an Annual Return under GST?
An Annual Return under GST is a consolidated return of all the business transactions undertaken by the person registered under GST during a financial year. All registered taxpayers are required to file an Annual Return, that is, GSTR-9 to provide a comprehensive summary of all the transactions undertaken during the financial year. GSTR-9
GSTR-9: Format and Content
GSTR-9 is divided into six parts and nineteen sections. Only after successfully submitting GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B Forms for the financial year, GSTR-9 can be filed. Taxpayers are not allowed to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) through GSTR-9. However, he can declare additional liability in the Annual Return for the F.Y. 2017-2018, F.Y. 2018-2019, F.Y. 2019-2020, F.Y. 2020-2021, and F.Y. 2021-2022, not declared earlier in Form GSTR-1, and GSTR-3B. The detailed structure of GSTR-9 is as follow:
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Part I: Basic details like trade name, legal name, financial year, and GST number.
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Part II: Details of inward and outward supplies made during the financial year.
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Part III: Details of Input Tax Credit (ITC) for the financial year.
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Part IV: Details of payment of taxes declared in the returns filed during the financial year.
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Part V: Details of the transactions for the previous financial year will be included in the next financial year until the specified period.
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Part VI: Other information like particulars of demands and refunds, late fee payable and paid, and so on.
Who should file GSTR-9?
GSTR-9 is to be filed by all registered taxpayers. However, the following are NOT required to file GSTR-9:
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An Input Service Distributor;
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A person liable for deducting tax (TDS Deductor) under section 51 of the CGST Act;
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A person liable for deducting tax (TCS Collector) under section 52;
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A Casual Taxable Persons
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Non Resident Taxable individuals
Types of Annual Return under GST
Following are the types of Annual Return as per Rule 80 of the CGST Rule, 2017:
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Form GSTR-9: It is an Annual Return that must be filed by all regular taxpayers who submit regular returns such as Form GSTR-3B, GSTR-1, and so on.
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Form GSTR-9A: The taxpayers registered under composition scheme are required to file Form GSTR-9A. However, with effect from F.Y. 2019-2020, Annual Form GSTR-4 has substituted Form GSTR-9A.
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Form GSTR-9B: All E-Commerce Operators who collect Tax at Source under Section 52 and file regular returns under Form GSTR-8 should file Annual Return under Form GSTR-9B.
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Form GSTR-9C: It is an Annual reconciliation statement under GST. It is to be filed by the registered taxpayer having an Aggregate Annual Turnover of more than INR 5 Crore during the financial year. Form GSTR-9C is to be self-certified by the registered taxpayer.
Relaxation for filing Annual Return
GSTR-9 is required to be filed by all registered taxpayers. However, small taxpayers are given some relief. Below table shows the optional and mandatory requirements of filing Annual Returns under GST:
Annual Aggregate Turnover (AAT) | GSTR-9 | GSTR-9C |
|---|---|---|
Up to INR 2 Crore | From F.Y. 2022-2023, the registered person is exempted from filing Annual Return having AAT up to INR 2 Crore. | Not Applicable |
> INR 2 Crore < INR 5 Crore | Mandatory to be filed by all registered taxpayers. | Mandatory to be filed by all registered taxpayers whose AAT exceeds INR 5 Crore. |
> INR 5 Crore | Mandatory to be filed by all registered taxpayers. | Mandatory to be filed by all registered taxpayers. |
Due Date for filing GSTR-9
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Rule 80 of the CGST Rules, 2017 requires every registered person to file an Annual Return for a particular financial year on or before 31st December of the next financial year. As a result, the due date to file GSTR-9 for a financial year is December 31st of the year following the relevant financial year. For instance, registered persons should file GSTR-9 for F.Y. 2023-24 by December 31, 2024.
Consequence of late filing of GSTR-9
GSTR-9 is required to be filed by all registered taxpayers. However, small taxpayers are given some relief. Below table shows the optional and mandatory requirements of filing Annual Returns under GST:
Turnover Limit | Late Fee Per Day | Maximum Late Fee |
|---|---|---|
Up to INR 5 Crore | INR 50 (INR 25 each under CGST and SGST Act) | 0.04% of the Turnover in State or Union Territory |
> INR 5 Crore < INR 20 Crore | INR 100 (INR 50 each under CGST and SGST Act) | 0.04% of the Turnover in State or Union Territory |
> INR 20 Crore | INR 200 (INR 100 each under CGST and SGST Act) | 0.50% of the Turnover in State or Union Territory |
Steps for filing GSTR-9
To file the Annual Return, following steps are to be performed:
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Step 1: Login and access GSTR-9 at www.gst.gov.in
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Step 2: Download Forms GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and GSTR-9 Summary and document details from Table 8A.
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Step 3: Fill the details in various tiles.
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Step 4: Preview the Draft Summary of Form GSTR-9
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Step 5: Calculate liabilities and pay any applicable late fees.
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Step 6: Preview the draft GSTR-9.
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Step 7: File GSTR-9 with Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)/Electronic Verification Code(EVC).
Frequently asked questions
Q
Is GSTR-9 mandatory to be filed?
A
Yes, every GST-registered normal taxpayer is required to file GSTR-9 annually. However, certain relaxations are provided to taxpayers based on their Annual Aggregate Turnover.
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Suppose, if a taxpayer’s GST registration is canceled in a F.Y. 2022-2023, should he still file GSTR-9?
A
Yes. The taxpayer whose registration got canceled in the F.Y. 2022-2023 should file the Annual Return GSTR-9.
Q
If a taxpayer switches to the composition scheme after the end of F.Y. 2022-2023, which Form should he file, GSTR-9 or GSTR-9A for the F.Y. 2022-2023?
A
The person registered as a normal taxpayer for the F.Y. 2022-2023 should file GSTR-9 only. Form GSTR-9A would become applicable post conversion into the composition scheme.
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Can a registered taxpayer file NIL GSTR-9?
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A registered taxpayer can file a NIL GSTR-9 under the following circumstances:
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When no outward supply has been made; AND
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When there is no inwards supply; AND
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When the other liability is Nil; AND
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When no refund has been claimed; AND
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When no claim for Input Tax Credit (ITC) has been claimed; AND
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When no order has been received for demand; AND
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When there is no late fee payable.
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Is it necessary to file an Annual Return at the Entity Level or GSTIN Level?
A
The Annual Return must be filed at the GSTIN level rather than at the Entity Level. The taxpayer is required to file an Annual Return for each GST registration obtained under the same PAN, whether or not in the same State.
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Can a revision be made to the originally filed Annual Return?
A
No. A registered taxpayer cannot revise an originally filed Annual Return. Hence, there is no option for revision of an Annual Return under GST.
Q
Suppose a registered taxpayer is a normal taxpayer for part period and composition taxpayer for part period during the financial year. Which forms should be filed by the taxpayer: GSTR-9 or GSTR-9A?
A
The registered taxpayer has to file both the forms, that is, GSTR-9 and GSTR-9A for the respective periods. For instance, if the taxpayer is registered under the Composition Scheme from 1st April to 30th September, Form GSTR-9A must be filed for that time period. And if the taxpayer is registered as a normal taxpayer for the remainder of the year, Form GSTR-9 must be filed for the period from 1st October to 31st March.
Q
Can a registered taxpayer edit the auto-populated details of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B while filing GSTR-9?
A
Except for the options listed below, all other details auto-populated in Form GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B can be edited:
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Total amount of Input Tax Credit (ITC) availed in GSTR-3B.
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Input Tax Credit (ITC) details entered into GSTR-2A.
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Details of tax payments as reported in returns filed during the financial year.
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What are the consequences of failure to furnish GSTR-9?
A
The registered taxpayer will be required to pay late fees initially upon delay in furnishing GSTR-9. He may also be served a notice requiring him to submit GSTR-9 within the time period prescribed in the notice.
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10. What are the modes of signing GSTR-9?
A
GSTR-9 can be signed using any of the following options:
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Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): A valid DSC can be attached by the registered taxpayer to authenticate and sign GSTR-9. The DSC enables the user to sign the document online which is equivalent to the physical signature.
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Electronic Verification Code (EVC): Using EVC, the identity of the user is authenticated on the GST portal by sending an OTP at the registered mobile number and email id of the taxpayer.
Prachi Jain
Chartered Accountant
Prachi Jain is a Chartered Accountant with a passion for simplifying finance and tax-related matters through her insightful and informative blogs. With a background in finance and a deep understanding of tax regulations, Prachi has established herself as a trusted source of financial wisdom. Prachi is committed to empowering her readers with the knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions. Her expertise and dedication shine through in every blog post, helping her audience navigate the intricacies of finance and taxes with confidence. Follow Prachi Jain's blog for practical insights and guidance on managing your finances effectively.
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