Are you in search of a detailed guide that explains all the concepts of GSTR 9 annual return?
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GSTR 9 Annual Return is to be filed by all the registered regular taxpayers whose turnover exceeds INR 2 crores on or before 31st of December every year.
In this comprehensive article, we have tried to cover all the important facets of GSTR-9 filing and understand the Eligibility, rules and different types of Forms under GSTR 9 annual return.
What is GSTR 9 annual return under GST?
GSTR-9C Turnover Limit
- Under GSTR 9 annual return, the government as also introduced GSTR9C audit form.
- GSTR 9C filing has been made mandatory for all the taxpayers whose annual aggregate turnover exceeds Rs. 5 Crore.
To learn more on Form GSTR 9C format, click on the link provided.
Who should file GSTR 9 ?
According to the CGST Act of 2017, all regular taxpayers whose turnover exceeds Rs. 2 crores are mandated to file the GSTR 9 annual return.
However, there are some exemptions to it. Following groups of taxpayers are exempted from filing their GSTR-9 return:
- Casual Taxable Person
- Non-resident Taxable person
- Person deducting tax at source (Tax Deduction at Source - TDS)
- An E-com aggregator or website collecting tax at source (Tax Collection at Source - TCS)
- A person providing eligible Input Tax Credit
Different Forms under GSTR-9 annual return
There are three different forms available under the GSTR 9 annual return. All these forms hold different eligibility criteria.
1. Form GSTR-9B
Who files GSTR-9B?
GSTR-9B filing is made compulsory for the E-commerce aggregators who have filed GSTR-8 in the previous FY.
GSTR-9B is an annual return for such E-commerce operator under GST.
GSTR 9B filing Due date
- Due date for GSTR-9B filing is 31st December following the end of the Financial Year.
3. Form GSTR-9C
What is GSTR 9C?
As per Section 35 Sub-section (5) of the CSGT Act, 2017, every GST registered taxpayer whose annual aggregate turnover in a given Financial Year exceeds Rs. 5 Crore is required to get his accounts audited.
These taxpayers are expected to submit self certified audited annual accounts & reconciliation statements in the FORM GSTR-9C on the GST portal.
GSTR-9C reconciliation consists of - Reconciliation between GSTR 9 annual returns and the data in your audited financial statement.
GSTR 9C Due Date
GSTR-9C must be filed on or before 31st of December succeeding the end of the FY.
To learn more on , GSTR 9C format , visit our detailed blog.
GSTR 9 Due Dates & Penalties for Late Filing
As discussed in the earlier sections, the due date for GSTR-9 filing is 31st December succeeding the end of the Financial Year.
For example: GSTR-9 for FY 2022-23 should be filed on 31st December 2023.
NOTE: GSTR 9 Due Date extended for FY 2020-21
For FY 2020-21, the due date for filing GSTR 9 annual return stands extended until 28th February 2022.
Hence, businesses must file their GSTR-9 return with a super fast GST return filing tool like GSTHero on or before 28th February 2022.
GSTR 9 Due Date Extension was considered by the Government after most of the taxpayers and Chartered Accountants appealed on Twitter.
Late Fees for GSTR 9
Late fee @ INR 100 per day for CGST and @ INR 100 per day for SGST i.e. Rs. 200 per day from the last date of filing will be applicable for belated filing subject to 0.50% turnover in a state.
GSTR-9 Applicability & Cases
- GSTR-9 Nil return: Where a person is registered under GST but has no transactions during the year is required to file Nil GSTR 9 annual return.
- Where a person has cancelled his registration during the financial year, is required to file GSTR 9 annual return for the period for which he was registered under GST.
- Where a person has opted in and out of composition scheme during the same financial is required to file both GSTR 9 and GSTR 9A for respective periods as applicable.
Why is reconciliation essential for a flawless GSTR-9 annual return filing?
How is GSTR-9 related to other GST returns?
- GSTR 9 is a consolidated summary of your GSTR 1 return and GSTR 3B return.
- Outward supplies and tax payable are captured from GSTR 1 whereas GST Input Tax Credit and Tax paid information is derived from GSTR 3B return.
- Purchase related data from GSTR 2A return is also updated in the annual return GSTR 9.
- Any additional liability identified upon filing of annual return may be paid before filing of annual return through Form DRC 03.
From these references, we understand that, it is essential that the businesses have a uniformity of GST returns data throughout their Financial Year.
GSTR-9 Reconciliation against GSTR 3B and GSTR 1 will help businesses to file an accurate GSTR 9 annual return.
Using an automated GST return filing tool like GSTHero (Authorized GST Suvidha Provider) will help your business in:
- Eliminating clerical mistakes
- Easy integration with your existing ERP
- Auto-population of GSTR-9 tables in a single click
- Easy detection and correction of errors
- 100% compliant with the dynamic GST laws
Format of GSTR 9 Annual Return
You can download the GSTR 9 Form PDF, here.
CBIC also provide GSTR-9 Offline Utility (GSTR 9 Excel Utility) and you can download this GSTR 9 format in excel by clicking above link.
To learn more How to file GSTR 9 annual return with GSTHero, click on the link given.
Part 1 - Basic Details
In this section, taxpayer is required to furnish basic details like FU, GSTIN, Name of the taxpayer, Trade name.
Part 2 - Details of inward & outward supplies
- Details of advances, inward & outward supplies on which tax is payable
In Section 4 of your GSTR-9 return, you are required to file details related to your sales supplies, purchases, details of advances.
Taxpayers are required to enter the taxable value further tri-furcated into CGST, SGST, IGST and Cess (as applicable).
To know more on Format of GSTR 9 for Part 2 of the form, click on the link provided.
- Details of outward supplies on which tax is not payable
Section 5 of the GSTR 9 annual return captures the details of Sales Supplies for which tax is not paid as declared in the returns throughout the Financial Year.
Part 3 - Details of ITC as declared in returns filed during the FY
- Section 6 – Details of ITC availed as declared in returns filed during the FY
In Part 3 of the GSTR 9 return, the taxpayer is required to furnish all his GST Input Tax Credit details. This includes ITC availed through GSTR-3B, Purchase Supplies made for inputs, capital goods and input services, etc.
- Section 7 – Details of ITC Reversed and Ineligible ITC as declared in returns filed during the FY
Section 7, captures the information regarding the ITC Reversal and Ineligible ITC.
This information is tri-furcated into CGST, SGST, IGST, Cess (if applicable).
- Section 8 – Other ITC Details
In this section, taxpayer is required to furnish all the other ITC details that DO NOT fit in Section 6 & 7.
These details include:
- ITC as per GSTR-2A
- ITC available but not availed
- ITC available but ineligible, etc.
To know more on Format of GSTR 9 for Part 3 of the form, click on the link provided.
Part 4 - Details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the FY
In this section, all the details of the taxes paid throughout the FY are captured. It also captures the details of outward tax liabilities paid in cash.
To know more on GSTR 9 Format for Part 3 of the form, click on the link provided.
Part 5 - Particulars of the transactions for the previous FY declared in returns of April to September of current FY or up to date of filing of annual return of previous FY, whichever is earlier
In this section, the taxpayers need to furnish the details related to transactions occurred in the previous FY. The details have to be furnished with a break-up of CGST, SGST & IGST tax amounts.
In Section 14, the taxpayers should furnish the differential tax amount paid on:
- Integrated Tax
- Central Tax
- State/UT Tax
- Cess
- Interest
To know more on GST Annual return format, click on the link provided.
Part 6 - Other Information
Section 15 captures the information about demands & refunds by filling in the Central and State Tax, Integrated tax, Cess, Interest, Penalties or late fees if applicable.
Section 16 of the GSTR 9 annual return captures the information of supplies received from the Composition Dealers, Deemed supplies, or goods sent on approval basis.
Section 17 & 18 lists down HSN wise details of all the purchase & sale supplies.
To understand more on How to file GSTR 9, visit the detailed blog in the link.
GSTR-9 Important FAQs
- In such cases, you need to file both GSTR-9 & GSTR-9A, for the respective periods when you were registered as a regular & a Composition Taxpayer.
Yes, the prerequisites are as follows-
- The taxpayer must have an active GSTIN as a regular taxpayer. Even if he stays a regular taxpayer for a single day in a FY, he should file his GSTR-9.
- It is important to note that the taxpayer must be a regular filer of GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B of the financial year before filing GSTR-9.
- From this we understand that, GSTR-9 is dependent upon accurate GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing. Hence, businesses are required to have an automated reconciliation solution in place to avoid last minute rush while GSTR 9 annual return filing.
- No, if you have opted for GST Composition Scheme you need to file GSTR-9A, but you also need to file GSTR-9 for the period when you were a regular taxpayer in the financial year (if applicable).
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