GST Compliances

GST implementation is set to go-live in July 2017, completely overhauling India's indirect tax system. Under the new GST regime, GST registration would be required for all enterprises involved in the buying or selling or delivery of services exceeding Rs.10 lakhs a year in north-eastern and hill states, while the limit is Rs.20 lakhs for rest of India. All entities having GST registration would be required to file GST returns. GST return filing would be mandatory for all GST registered entities irrespective of if there was any activity / sale during the return filing period.

GST registration holder would have to file GSTR-1 (details of outward supplies) on the 10th of each month, GSTR-2 (details of inward supplies) on the 15th of each month and GSTR-3 (monthly return) on the 20th of each month. Compounding taxpayers would be required to file GSTR-4 every quarter, on 18th of the month next to the quarter. Finally, annual GST return must be filed by all GST registered entities on/before the 31st of December.

SimpliTax can help you file GST returns in India.

Advantages of GST Return Filing

Unified Platform

With the implementation of GST in India, the indirect taxes would be streamlined and standardized. Under GST regime, businesses would no longer have to obtain multiple VAT registration in different States or obtain a separate VAT and Service Tax registration. A single GST registration would be sufficient across India for selling or purchasing goods or providing services.

Subsuming of Taxes

subsumes various other taxes like Central Sales Tax, Additional Customs Duty, Purchase Tax, Luxury Tax, etc., Hence, under GST, many of the taxes in existence today would be subsumed and made into one tax. This would make tax collection and compliance easy for businesses across the country.

Lower Taxes

Currently in some states under the VAT regime, businesses are required to comply with VAT regulations once they cross an annual turnover of Rs.5 lakhs. Under GST regime, GST liability accrues only if an entity crosses an annual turnover of Rs.10 lakhs in northeast or hill states, whereas for rest of India, the threshold is set at Rs.20 lakhs.

Ease of Doing Business

Currently, many businesses like restaurants, computer sales and services businesses have to comply with both VAT and Service Tax regulations. This creates a compliance burden on the business, as they have to calculate taxes for the transaction based on different rates for different items. Under GST, the distinction between goods and services will be gone – making doing business easy.

Larger Tax Base

GST is expected to increase the tax base in India significantly. Hence, the overall tax liability for businesses is expected to reduce overtime, as more and more businesses become compliant. Further, GST will use the latest in technology, including data from Aadhaar database, PAN database, etc., to make GST registration and GST return filing process, as seamless as possible.

GST Return Due Date for Regular Taxpayers

Most taxable persons registered under GST would be termed as regular taxpayers. Regular taxpayers must file 3 returns each month as follows:

GSTR-1 – Statement of Outward Supplies

GSTR-1 or the statement of outward supplies is used to file details of all supplies made by a taxpayer in the previous month and record the tax liability of the supplier. GSTR-1 must be filed on or before the 10th of every month with details of all supplies effected during the previous month.

GSTR-2 -Statement of Inward Supplies

GSTR-2 or the statement of inward supplies is used to file and verify details of input tax credit accrual received during the previous month. GSTR-2 details are auto-populated from the information filed in GSTR-1. Hence, in the statement of inward supplies, the taxpayer must only provide minimal additional information like imports, and purchases from unregistered suppliers. GSTR-2 must be filed on or before the 15th of every month with details of all supplies received during the previous month.

GSTR-3 – Consolidated Return

GSTR-3 is a consolidated return that must be filed by all taxpayers on the 20th of every month. GSTR-3 consolidates the following information already provided by the taxpayer to arrive at final tax payable:

Outward Supplies (Auto-Populated from GSTR-1)

• Inward Supplies (Auto-Populated from GSTR-2)
• Input Tax Credit availed
• Tax Payable
• Tax Paid (Using both Cash and ITC)

GSTR-9 – GST Annual Return

GSTR-9 or Annual GST return must be filed by 31st December of the next financial year by all taxable persons registered under GST. Information provided in GSTR-4 would include details of expenditure and details of income for the entire financial year.

The GST Annual Return must be audited by a practising Chartered Accountant, if the aggregate turnover of the registered person exceeded Rs. 2 crores during a financial year. Further, along with the GST annual return, a copy of audited annual accounts and a reconciliation statement, duly certified by a Chartered Accountant, in FORM GSTR-9C, must be filed electronically through the GST Common Portal.