GST Annual Return Filing - GSTR-9 Filing

GSTR-9 filing is a crucial yearly obligation for all taxpayers registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. GSTR-9 encompasses comprehensive information regarding outward and inward supplies, covering transactions conducted or received during the fiscal year. This includes supplies regulated by Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), and Integrated GST (IGST) statutes. The return consolidates all monthly or quarterly returns submitted within the corresponding year into a unified record. At IndiaFilings, we specialize in simplifying the GSTR-9 form filing process. Make IndiaFilings your ally for GSTR-9 filings. Initiate today's process and embrace a hassle-free approach to fulfilling your tax responsibilities.

Introduction to Form GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is an annual report that registered taxpayers must submit. This report encompasses all purchases and sales made throughout the year, including various taxes (such as CGST, SGST, and IGST). It also accounts for total sales and purchases and includes audit details for the year. In essence, GSTR-9 summarizes a year's business transactions and tax particulars.

Applicability of GST Annual Return Filing

The requirement to file Form GSTR-9 extends to various categories of taxpayers based on their registration status and activities during the financial year. The following entities are obligated to submit this annual return:

Normal Taxpayers: Individuals or entities registered as regular taxpayers fall within the scope of Form GSTR-9 filing. This encompasses businesses operating under standard tax provisions.
SEZ Units and SEZ Developers: Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units and developers must file Form GSTR-9. This ensures comprehensive reporting of their financial activities within the fiscal year.
Transition from Composition Scheme: Taxpayers transitioning from the composition scheme to normal taxpayer status during the financial year must file Form GSTR-9. This captures their shift from a simplified tax regime to a regular tax framework.

Exclusions from Form GSTR-9 Filing

Composition Taxpayers: Taxpayers operating under the composition scheme have a separate annual return form, namely Form GSTR-9A, designed to cater to their specific needs. Therefore, they are not required to file Form GSTR-9.
Casual Taxpayers: Taxpayers engaging in sporadic or occasional business activities, everyday taxpayers, are exempt from filing the Annual Return in Form GSTR-9.
Non-Resident Taxpayers: Taxpayers who are non-residents and engage in taxable transactions within India, non-resident taxpayers, are not obligated to file Form GSTR-9.

Input Service Distributors (ISD) and OIDAR Service Providers: Entities functioning as Input Service Distributors or providing Online Information and Database Access or Retrieval services are also excluded from the requirement to file Form GSTR-9.

Types of GST Annual Returns

GSTR-9: Tax entities with a turnover exceeding 2 Crores are mandated to file the GST annual return using Form GSTR-9. This return compiles comprehensive financial information.
GSTR-9A: Registered taxpayers who opted for the GST Composition scheme must submit GSTR-9A. This tailored return addresses the specific needs of composition scheme participants.
GSTR-9C: Form GSTR-9C reconciles the taxpayer's annual returns in GSTR-9 with the figures found in their audited financial statements for the given financial year. This reconciliation statement is essential for entities requiring an annual account audit.

Understanding GSTR-9 Format

The GSTR-9 format is divided into six parts, each capturing vital details of supplies made or received from July '17 to March '18. The critical aspect to remember is that the information required in all six parts is consolidated.

Part-1: Basic Registration Details

This section collects basic registration information, including fiscal year, GSTIN, legal name, and trade name.

Part 2: Details of Outward Supplies

This part consolidates details of outward supplies declared in returns for the fiscal year. It's divided into:

Supplies on which tax is payable (4A to 4L): Covering taxable supplies, exports, SEZ supplies, reverse charge, and advances received.
Supplies on which tax is not payable (5A to 5K): Including exports, exempt supplies, nil-rated supplies, and non-GST supplies.

Part 3: Input Tax Credit (ITC)

This part consists of three sections:

ITC availed as declared in returns filed (6A to 6O): Breakdown of ITC availed on various inward supplies.
ITC reversed and ineligible ITC (7A to 7H): Details of ITC reversed and ineligible ITC.
Other ITC-related information (8A to 8J): Information related to ITC as per GSTR-2A, reclaimed ITC, and more.

Part-4: Tax Paid

Here, you'll capture the tax paid as declared in the previous year's returns, including tax payable, paid in cash, and paid through ITC.

Part-5: Transactions of Previous Financial Year

This part covers transactions from the previous financial year but is declared in the returns of April to September of the current financial year.

Part-6: Miscellaneous Details

In this part, you'll provide details about demands, refunds, supplies from composition dealers, an HSN-wise summary of supplies, and late fee information. Understanding and correctly filling these parts is crucial for accurate GSTR-9 filing. If this seems overwhelming, don't worry! At IndiaFilings, we're here to simplify the process and guide you step by step. With our support, you can confidently navigate the GSTR-9 form and ensure accurate compliance with GST regulations.

Prerequisite Steps for GSTR-9 Filing

Before submitting GSTR-9, taxpayers must complete other GST-related filings. This involves timely submission of GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, or GSTR-4 returns, depending on the taxpayer's classification. Addressing any outstanding dues is crucial to enable annual GST return filing for GSTR registration holders.

Procedure to File GSTR-9 Filing

Step 1: Sign in and navigate to GSTR-9

Access your GST Portal account and proceed to the 'Returns Dashboard.' From there, click on 'Annual Return.' Alternatively, you can also locate it on your dashboard.
On the 'File Annual Returns' page, choose the relevant 'Financial Year.' You will receive an important message outlining the steps for Online/Offline GSTR-9 filing. Click on 'Prepare Online.'

Step 2: Respond to a questionnaire to decide between a NIL return or an annual return with data Determine whether you want to file a Nil return for the financial year by selecting 'Yes' or 'No.' Opt for 'Yes' only if all the following conditions are met:

No outward supplies made
No receipt of goods/services
No other liabilities to report
No claimed credits
No refund requests
No demand orders received
No late fees are applicable
If you choose 'Yes' for NIL returns, click 'Next' to Calculate Liabilities and file a NIL GSTR-9.
If you opt for 'No' for NIL returns, click 'Next,' and a page titled 'GSTR-9 Annual Return for normal taxpayers' will appear. This page will contain various sections that require details to be filled in.
Click on all four tabs to download:
- GSTR-9 system-generated summary
- GSTR-1 summary
- GSTR-3B summary
- Table-8A document details

These downloaded summaries will assist in reconciliation and provide insights into the details needed for various sections. Step 3: Input necessary information into various tables for the financial year

- Section: Details of advances, inward and outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is payable - Table 4
- Click on the corresponding section. The system will auto-populate the details based on the information from GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B.

- Edit the cells or enter tax values. If the figures vary within +/- 20% of the auto-populated data, the cells will be highlighted. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to proceed despite the deviation.
- Click 'Yes' to confirm the details.

A confirmation will appear stating 'Save request is accepted successfully.' Return to the Dashboard.' The Table 4 section will be updated. Repeat the same steps for the remaining sections listed below:

Details of outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is not payable - Table (5M)
Details of Input Tax Credit (ITC) availed during the financial year - Table 6(O)
Details of ITC reversed and Ineligible ITC for the financial year - Table 7(I)

Other ITC-related information - Table 8(A)

Details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the financial year - Table 9
Details of the previous financial year's transactions reported in the next financial year - Table 10, 11, 12 & 13
Differential tax paid due to declaration - Tables 10 & 11
Particulars of Demands and Refunds - Table 15
Supplies received from Composition taxpayers, deemed supply by job workers, and goods sent on approval basis - Table 16
HSN-wise summary of Outward Supplies - Table 17
HSN-wise summary of Inward Supplies - Table 18

Notes:

Taxpayers can edit auto-populated details (from GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B) except for Tables No. 6(O), 8(A), and 9.
For invoice-wise details of Table 8A, click the 'Download Table 8A Document Details' button within the GSTR-9 form's instructions.

Step 4: Preview draft GSTR-9 in Excel or PDF format Taxpayers can preview the form in PDF or Excel format. For PDF preview: Click 'Preview GSTR-9 (PDF)' on the GSTR-9 dashboard. Download the draft, review it, and if changes are needed, make them online before regenerating the draft. For Excel preview: Click 'Preview GSTR-9 (Excel)' on the GSTR-9 dashboard. Download the draft and access the link provided. Extract the summary GSTR-9 Excel file from the zip file. If modifications are necessary, make them online and regenerate the draft. Step 5: Calculate liabilities and late fees Upon clicking 'Calculate Liabilities,' the GST portal will process the details from various sections. It will also compute late fees for delayed filing. After a while, a confirmation message will appear, allowing you to proceed with filing. Taxpayers can pay using funds from the electronic cash ledger. If the cash ledger balance is insufficient, an additional payment can be made through Netbanking, over the counter, or via NEFT/RTGS with an additional payment challan. Note: Return cannot be filed until applicable late fees are paid. Taxpayers should again preview the draft in PDF/Excel format as outlined in Step 4. This review is essential as it will now include late fee details. Step 6: Proceed to file the Annual Return

Select the declaration checkbox and choose the 'Authorized Signatory.'
Click 'File GSTR-9.'
A page for Submitting Applications will appear with two filing options.
File with DSC: Browse and select the certificate, then sign and submit.
File with EVC: An OTP will be sent to the registered email ID and mobile number. Validate the OTP. Once validated, the return status changes to 'Filed.'

Notes: If any errors occur during processing, taxpayers will receive a warning message. These errors can be rectified by revisiting the form and correcting the tables reflecting the errors.

IndiaFilings' Assistance with GSTR-9 Form Filing

Navigating tax filings' complexities can be daunting, but IndiaFilings simplifies the process. We offer comprehensive support to make GSTR-9 form filing effortless: With IndiaFilings' support, you can file your GSTR-9 form confidently, knowing you have a reliable partner.