GST Returns are a set of different forms which are already pre-approved in the reporting format.

These returns make the provision of required information easy for the taxpayers so that a complete disclosure can be made hassle-free. Each of these forms is designed in such a way so that a complete disclosure can happen in every transaction between sellers and buyers.

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Return Forms

GST return forms are of numerous types and those are according to the type of transaction and registration of the taxpayer. Let’s see the different types of GST forms; 

GSTR-1

GSTR-1 return form has to be filled by a taxable supplier who has a valid registration. The form consists of the complete details of the outward supplies of goods and services. The buyer needs to validate the auto-generate information regarding the purchase on the form and he can also modify the information if required. The form contains the following details;

• Revision in the case of the outward sales invoices from the tax periods before then the current period.
• Details of invoices which were issued in the last month and the amount of tax that was collected also. 
• Amount of advance received against supply orders.
• GSTR-1 has to be filed by 10th of the following month.

GSTR-2

This needs to be filed by a registered recipient with complete details of inward supplies of goods. The form contains following details; GSTR-2 return form has to be filed by a registered taxable recipient with details of the inward supplies of goods and services. The form will contain the following details:

• Name of the business, time period of filing the return and Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GTIN).
• Details of invoices which were issued in the last month and the amount of tax that was collected also. 
• Amount of advance received against supply orders.

GSTR-2 has to be filed by 15th of every month.

GSTR-3

GSTR-3 return has to be filed by a taxpayer who is duly registered. The details of this form are automatically generated from GSTR-1 & GSTR-2 forms. The taxpayer has to make any modification or notify if there is any change in the form. The GSTR-3 form contains the following details; 

• Complete details regarding the Input Tax Credit, Cash ledgers, Liabilities with complete details of taxes paid under IGST, CGST and SGST.
• GSTR-3 has to be filed by 20th of the following month.

GSTR-4

This form is only applicable for those taxpayers who have opted for the Composition Scheme. Taxpayers with a small business or with a turnover of up to 75 lakh can opt for the composition scheme and hence are eligible for this.

GSTR-5

This form will contain the following:

• Name, address, GSTIN and period of return of the taxpayer concerned.
• Complete details of the imported goods during the previous tax period along with complete details of inward and outward supplies.
• Import services along with amendments of import services.

GSTR-5 has to be filed by 20th of the following month.

GSTR-6

GSTR-6 is for all the taxpayers who are registered in the form of Input Service Distributor. The form has the following things;

• GSTIN with name and address of the person of a company concerned. The period of return for which the filing is being done. Details of input credit distribution.
• Detailed list of supplies received from registered persons.
• Details of inward supplies will be auto-populated from GSTR-1 and GSTR-5 return forms.
• The amount of input credit availed under the current tax period.

GSTR-6 has to be filed by 13th of every month.

GSTR-7

This type of return form has to be filled by those registered taxpayers who are required to deduct the tax according to the GST rules. The form contains the following;

• GSTIN along with name and address of the concerned person or company along with the respective time period of return.
• Details of TDS along with the amount of TDS.

GSTR-7 has to be filed by 10th of the following month.

GSTR-8

This is mandatory for all e-commerce operators who are required to collect the tax according to the GST rules. The form of this type will have details of supplies and the amount of tax collected corresponding to the supplies which comes under the sub-section (1) of Model GST Law. It has to be filed by 10th of the following month.

GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is needed to be filed by normal taxpayers with all their details of income and expenditure for a respective year. The detail will be assessed in accordance with the monthly return. This return must be filed by 31st December of the year with completely audited copies of the concerned annual accounts. 

GSTR-10

This is solely for those taxpayers who have opted for the cancellation of GST registration. This needs to be filed within 3 months of the date of cancellation order.

GSTR- 11

Finally, GSTR-11 has to be filed by anyone and everyone who have been issued and Unique Identity Number (UIN) and have put claims regarding refund of the taxes paid on the inward supplies.

How To File GST Returns Online?

Listed below are the methods to file your GST returns online:

• Go to the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in).
• You will be issued with an identification number of 15 digits, based on the state code of yours and the PAN number.
• You have to upload the invoice on the software or the portal of GST after which you will be issued with a reference number for each invoice you upload. You will have the option of refilling if there is any error in your provided data.
• You will have to file the outward supply returns via GSTR-1 through the GST common portal information section on or before 10th of every month.
• Details of all the outward supplies furnished by the supplier will be there in GSTR-2A.
• The recipient will have to verify all the details and validate them as well. The recipient also has to file the details of credit and debit notes. 
• The recipient will have to furnish the details of inward supplies in the GSTR-2 form. The supplier can either accept or reject the supplies list made available by the supplier in the GSTR-1A form.

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