With so much technicality and jargon floating around about GST, it’s east to be overwhelmed and confused. We break down what to do and when to do it to help you find your GST nirvana!
GSTR-1
This is the monthly (or quarterly, in case your turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crore) return to be filed by all registered dealers. The due date for filing is 11th of the month following the month for which the return is being filed and the 31st of the month following the quarter for which the return is being filed in case of quarterly returns.
GSTR-2, GSTR-2A & GSTR-3
GSTR-2 and GSTR-3, are, for the time being, kept under suspension, since the government has implemented the system of filing GSTR-3B return, which is discussed below. The details of all inputs receivable by the business were to be reflected in the GSTR-2 whereas the GSTR-3 was supposed to be final return to be filed after reconciling the inputs and outputs. The planned date for GSTR-2 was the 15th of the month subsequent to the month for which filing was being done and for GSTR-3 was 20th of the month subsequent to the relevant month.
GSTR-2A is an auto-populated form that is generated by the GST portal based on the data submitted by sellers as per their GSTR-1. In other words, GSTR-2A of an entity, say, Prakash Industries, will reflect all entries of supply of goods or services, from suppliers of Prakash Industries, automatically based on the GSTR-1 entries. The difference between GSTR-2A and GSTR-2 is that while GSTR-2 (which is for the time being not applicable) was supposed to be filled by the person receiving the goods and services manually, GSTR-2A is an auto-generated form based on the entries in GSTR-1 of various suppliers.
The current system is of filing the GSTR-3b which is outlined below.
GSTR-3B
GSTR-3B is the return that establishes tax liability and requires the registered dealer to make tax payment. The due date for filing of GSTR-3B is 20th of the month subsequent to the month for which the return is being filed. GSTR-3B is a monthly return i.e. even if a trader has opted for quarterly GSTR-1 returns, GSTR-3B needs to be filed monthly.
These cover the main types of GST returns and most taxpayers file the above GST returns. In order to understand the basics of GST better, read our article here:
GSTR-4
This return is primarily applicable to composition dealers and needs to be filed by 18th of the month succeeding the relevant month.
GSTR-5
This is the return to be filed by a non-resident foreign taxable person. Non-resident foreign taxable persons are those that are visiting India for a short duration and those do not have a permanent base in India. It also includes such non-resident that have obtained a registration certificate under Section 27 of the CGST Act. This return must be filed by the 20th of the month next to the month for which filing is being done.
GSTR-6
This return is required to be filed by entities registered as Input Service Distributors. The due date for filing is 13th of the month succeeding the month for which the return is being filed.
GSTR-7
GSTR-7 is the return to be filed by authorities deducting tax at source. The due date is 10th of the month following the relevant month.
GSTR-8
This is the return to be filed by E-commerce operators. The due date is 10th of the month following the relevant month.
GSTR-9 & GSTR-9A
GSTR-9 & GSTR-9A are the annual returns to be filed by regular registered dealers & suppliers and by composition dealers respectively. It is required to be filed once during the entire year. The due date for filing is 31st December of the financial year succeeding the financial year, for which the return shall be filed.
GSTR-10
GSTR-10 is required to be filed by entities whose GST registration has been cancelled. Such return needs to be filed within 3 months from the date of cancellation or from the date of cancellation order, whichever is later.
GSTR-11
This is the return to be filed by Unique Identity Number (UIN) holders, in order to obtain refunds on GST paid by them. The return is required to be filed monthly by the 28th of the next month.
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