Read this article ahead to know the step-by-step process of filing the GST return through the GST council portal of the Indian government.
What is GST?
Contents
Indirect taxes such as excise duty, VAT, and services tax have been replaced by GST, which stands for Goods and Services Tax. On March 29, 2017, Parliament enacted the Goods and Services Tax Act, which took effect on July 1, 2017.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a multi-stage, destination-based tax applied to all goods and services. To answer the question, in simple terms, it is a tax that is charged on the provision of goods and services. As an indirect tax law applicable to the entire country, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a single domestic indirect tax system.
A GST return is a form that is required to be filed by a taxpayer. The GST payments must also be filed, and then the taxpayer must pay the tax due. The tax authorities use the information to calculate the taxpayer’s net tax. A registered dealer must record purchases, output GST, sales, and input tax credits on his GST return.
As a result, you will need to file a specific GST form based on the kind of taxpayer you are. There are 11 operational GST forms, 8 view-only GST forms, and 3 suspended GST forms among the 22 GST forms.
What is the importance of GST returns?
The next step will be to understand why it is important to file GST returns. Registered Dealers are required to file GST returns, regardless of their type of business, sales, or profitability during the return filing period. Whether a business is active or inactive, it is required to file a GST return under the GST Regime. Each GST Return Form ensures full disclosure of all transactions.
There is a legal requirement that every business, regardless of size, file GST returns. These returns provide the government with information about the business’s activities during the period under review.
Does everyone need to file a GST return?
Under the GST regime, every normal firm must file two monthly returns and one yearly return. A quarterly GSTR-1 registrant must file a varying number of GST returns, which amounts to 26 returns per year (see https://services.gst.gov.in/services/login). In a given year, they file 17 GST returns online. Some circumstances require separate GST returns, such as composition dealers having to file GST five times.
According to the nature of the business, the filing procedure must be determined.
GST returns must be filed by dealers who engage in the following activities:
- Sales
- Purchase
- Tax on goods and services (GST) (on sales)
- The GST paid on the purchase can be claimed as an input tax credit.
What is the process for filing GST returns?
You don’t have to worry about filing your GST returns; it’s not a difficult or complicated process. Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) software will automatically fill out the forms, so you can file your return online by following these steps.
Procedures for online transactions
Step 1: Visit the GST website.
Step 2: Based on your state code and PAN, a 15-digit number will be assigned to you
Step 3:is to upload each invoice that you have. There will be a reference number assigned to each invoice.
Step 4:Afterward, you will file the external and inward returns, as well as the cumulative monthly returns. You may correct any mistakes made here.
Step 5: File the GSTR-1 outbound supply reports on or before the 10th of the month through the GST Common Portal’s information area
Step 6: GSTR-2A will be used to obtain the supplier’s outbound supply
Step 7: The recipient must check the outgoing supply information and enter the credit or debit note information.
Step 8: Include information about inbound goods and services in the GSTR-2 form
Step 9: By accepting or rejecting the GSTR-1A, the supplier accepts the information provided by the inward supply.
Procedures for offline work
Go to the following link and download the offline GST return filer program, https://www.gst.gov.in/download/returns. Once you download it, you can easily fill out the GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 forms. The instructions in the link above will guide you through the process.
What is the process for checking GST status?
Verify GST status online by following these instructions.
- Visit https://www.gst.gov.in/
- You will be prompted to enter your information during the login process
- Track the status of your returns by selecting Service > Returns
- From the drop-down menu, choose “Status of Return”
- Click on Search
- There are four possible statuses: To Be Filed / Submitted But Not Filled / Filed-Valid / Filed-Invalid
- Keeping track of GST returns is easy with this method.
What is the procedure for downloading the GST returns form?
You can check your GST status and GST check on the government’s website by following these steps.
Step 1: Visit the GST website
Step 2: Click on the Dashboard for Service Returns
Step 3: From the drop-down menus, choose a month and year
Step 4: Click the “Prepare Offline” button
Step 5: Select “Download” and then “Generate File”
Step 6: The link can be downloaded by clicking on the “Click Here” link.
Step 7: From the GST portal, click “Open” underneath the Open Downloaded Return file to open this file using the GST offline tool
To obtain each additional GSTR file, repeat the process now that you know how to obtain the GST return file.
Conclusion
In addition, it used to be difficult and time-consuming to submit GST returns, but filling out several applications online has now made it simpler to do so. As soon as you know which GST return forms to fill out, what GST status is, and how to check your GST balance, the process may be significantly streamlined. So, make sure you file your GST returns as soon as possible!