Every registered taxpayer under GST is required to file an annual return in FORM GSTR-9, however, there are some categories of persons who are exempted from filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9.
Present article decodes the provisions relating to filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9 along with FAQ.
List of relevant section and rule as applicable to the filing of an Annual Return in FORM GSTR-9 under GST –
- Section 44(1) of the CGST Act, 2017; and
- Rule 80 (1) of the CGST Rules, 2017.
Figuring out the important feature from the applicable section and rules –
Following are the important feature which can be derived out of section 44 (1) of the CGST Act, 2017 and rule 80 (1) of the CGST Rules, 2017 –
- Every registered person is required to furnish the annual return under GST for every financial year;
- Following category of registered person are not required to furnish an annual return in FORM GSTR-9–
- Input service distributor;
- A person paying tax under section 51;
- A person paying tax under section 52;
- A casual taxable person and
- A non-resident taxable person.
- An annual return is required to be furnished electronically;
- An annual return is to be filed in FORM GSTR-9 (FORM GSTR-9A in case of composition taxpayer); and
- An annual return is necessary to be filed on or before the 31st December following the end of the relevant financial year.
Details to be provided in FORM GSTR-9
After required amendments, the final format of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9 has been provided vide notification no. 74/2018 – Central Tax dated 31st December, 2018.
In totality, FORM GSTR-9 is divided into 6 parts. Different details are required to be provided under different parts. Certain details are also auto-populated. The below mentioned table highlights the parts of FORM GSTR-9 and also provides the details of the same –
| PART | DESCRIPTION | SHORT EXPLANATION OF THE PARTS |
| I | Basic details | Self-explanatory |
| II | Details of outward and inward supplies made during the financial year | Outward and inward supplies for which payment has been made through FORM GSTR-3B needs to be declared here. |
| III | Details of ITC for the financial year | Input tax credit availed and reversed needs to be declared.
Point no. 6A – Total amount of input tax credit availed through FORM GSTR-3B is auto-populated. |
| IV | Details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the financial year | Actual tax paid during the financial year needs to be declared. Figures from table 6.1 of FORM GSTR-3B may be used. |
| V | Particulars of the transactions for the previous Financial Year declared in returns of April to September of current Financial Year or upto the date of filing of annual return of previous Financial Year whichever is earlier. | While filing an annual return for the period FY 2017-18 the figures of transactions declared in April to September, 2018 needs to be declared. |
| VI | Other information | Details of demands and refunds, HSN wise summary of inward and outward supplies and late fee paid and payable. |
IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE TAKEN CARE OFF WHILE FILING ANNUAL RETURN IN FORM GSTR-9
- Since the Goods and Service Tax was introduced on 1stJuly, 2017, the first annual return needs to be filed for the period July, 2017 to March, 2018.
- Returns in FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-3B for the period July, 2017 to March, 2018 needs to be filed before filing of the annual return in FORM GSTR-9.
- Any additional liability which is not declared / reflected in returns (FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-3B) can be declared in the annual return in FORM GSTR-9.
- Any input tax credit which has remained unclaimed cannot be claimed in the annual return in FORM GSTR-9.
- FORM GSTR-9cannot be revised.
Steps for filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9 –
An annual return in FORM GSTR-9 can be filed through both the online and offline mode. However, offline mode (offline utility) is still not made available on the GST portal. By following the below mentioned steps, the registered taxpayer can file FORM GSTR-9 through online mode –
- Visit site https://www.gst.gov.in/;
- Click on Login icon provided on the homepage;
- Provide appropriate Username and Password;
- ‘Annual Return’ is appearing in the Dashboard or the same can be navigated by following below path –
Services > Returns > Annual Return
- Select Financial Year 2017-18 from the drop down list and click on SEARCH;
- Click on ‘PREPARE-ONLINE’ option under the head ‘Annual Return GSTR9’.
FAQ
Before the filing of the first annual return in FORM GSTR-9 for FY 2017-2018, it is obvious that various question would be emerging in the mind of the registered taxpayer. Most of the answer to the same is made available here –
Who is mandatorily required to file an annual return in FORM GSTR-9?
Every registered taxpayer, irrespective of turnover, is required to file an annual return in FORM GSTR-9. Only input service distributor, casual taxable person, non-resident taxable person and person paying tax u/s 51 or u/s 52 are the category of person specifically excluded from the filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9.
What is the period covered in the filing of first annual return in FORM GSTR-9?
As known, the GST law has been made effective only from 1st July, 2017, like-wise the period covered in first annual return would be 1st July, 2017 to 31st March, 2018.
What is the due date for filing of first annual return in FORM GSTR-9?
The due date for filing of first annual return in FORM GSTR-9 has been extended several times, however, as per Order No. 03/2018-Central Tax dated 31st December, 2018 the same has been extended till 30th June, 2019.
In short, the due date for filing of first annual return in FORM GSTR-9 is 30th June, 2019.
What is the penalty /late fee payable in case of late filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9?
Penalty/late fee of INR 200 per day (INR 100 per day CGST + INR 100 per day SGST) is payable in case of late filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9. The maximum amount of penalty payable is restricted to 0.25% of turnover in the State or Union Territory.
Is it possible to revise FORM GSTR-9?
No, it is not possible to revise FORM GSTR-9 thus it is much important to file an annual return in FORM GSTR-9 accurately since any mistake can result in tax liability.
What is the mode of filing of an annual return in FORM GSTR-9?
Annual return in FORM GSTR-9 can be filed through both online and offline mode. However, it is pertinent to note here that, with regard to annual return in FORM GSTR-9, at present only the online mode is made available on the GST portal. Hopefully, offline mode (offline utility) would soon be made available on the GST portal.
Author Bio
GSTR9 FILLING WANTS INCOMETAX PROFILAND LOSS AND BALANCE SHEET .PL ANSWER ME
I already file all the return i.e Gstr 1 and Gstr 3B but still annular return of financial year 18- 19 is freeze.what can I do in this situation?
How to rectify the mismatch between autopopulated figures from gstr2a and itc climed in gstr3b.
sir,
where to report the undisclosed sales in gstr-1 but as per books sales are there. Nothing clear on this
Thanks for the write-up.
Kindly clarify whether in Part -II do we have to disclose – interest to bank / interest to Partners / Remuneration to partners/ Bonus paid to staff / purchases from URP less than Rs. 5,000/- per day?
If yes where?
I already file all the return i.e Gstr 1 and Gstr 3B but still annular return of financial year 17- 18 is freeze.what can I do in this situation?
I think We can not Pay and Credit cliam through GSTR 9 only we can show that we are claiming Credit and Paying Additional tax on the transaction pertaining to FY 2017-18 but showing in GSTR of FY 2018-19