GSTR-10 Final Return: Applicability, Due Date, Penalty & Format

Whether you are a business owner, accountant, or CA, you must know all the rules and regulations regarding GST compliance, including how to surrender the GST registration. Though you may not need it, being aware of it is always advisable. In this blog, we will discuss one of the most important and last steps in surrendering/canceling the GST registration, i.e., GSTR-10 final return. 

What is GSTR-10 Return?

GSTR-10 final return is the GST return to be filed by only taxpayers who have voluntarily canceled their GST registration or the tax authorities have canceled their registration. The purpose of this return form is to ensure that all liabilities and ITC are settled before the registration is canceled completely. 

GSTR-10 Due Date: When Should you File GSTR-10?

Businesses must file GSTR-10 final return within three months of the date of GST registration cancellation or the date of the GST registration cancellation order, whichever is later.  

For example, if the date of the GST registration cancellation order is 31 January 2024 and the business received the cancellation order on 5 February 2024, then the concerned business must file GSTR-10 by 5 April 2024. 

GSTR-10 Applicability: Who Should File GSTR-10? 

You must file GSTR-10 final return only when your GST registration has been canceled or surrendered. This applies to all businesses except the following: 

• Businesses opted for the Composition Scheme 
• Input Service Distributors (ISD)
• Non-Resident Taxable Person (NRTP)
• Firms who are required to deduct TDS under Section 51 of the CGST Act
• Businesses who are required to collect TCS under Section 52 of the CGST Act

GSTR-10 Penalty 

A notice will be issued if you fail to file GSTR-10 final return for whatever reason within the given due date. Even after receiving the notice, if you fail to file the return, the tax officer will pass the final order for the cancellation with the amount of tax payable along with the interest or penalty. 

GSTR-10 Format — How to File GSTR-10

Here’s a breakdown of the GSTR-10 format and what information needs to be filled in each section:

GSTIN – Auto-populated with your unique GST Identification Number.

Legal Name – Auto-populated with the registered taxpayer’s name.

Business Name – Auto-populated with the business’s name.

Address – Auto-populated with your business’s address.

(Note: The above four fields are auto-populated; you need to complete the remaining fields.)

Application Reference Number (ARN) – Mention the ARN if your cancellation request is approved.

Effective Date of Surrender/Cancellation – Enter the date as per your cancellation order.

Cancellation Order Status – Indicate whether the cancellation was voluntary or initiated by tax authorities.

Unique ID of Cancellation Order – If applicable, enter the Order ID for forced cancellation.

Date of Cancellation Order – Provide the date when the order was passed.

Particulars of Closing Stock – Report any stock held after business operations cease, along with associated ITC.

Tax on Closing Stock – Mention any outstanding tax on closing stock.

Verification – Digitally sign the form using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Electronic Verification Code (EVC).

Difference Between GST Final Return (GST-10) and Annual GST Return (GSTR-9)

The GST final return (GSTR-10) is to be submitted only by the businesses that have canceled their GST or the authorities have canceled their registration. On the other hand, the Annual GST Return GSTR-9 is to be filed by every registered business entity (except the composition scheme), declaring all the transactions executed over the financial year. 

Over to You 

So this was all about the GSTR-10 final return. We hope that after reading 

this blog, you will have all your answers related to GSTR 10 filing. If you are looking for user-friendly GST return filing software, do consider signing up with Munim GST Return Filing Software because it has everything you need to stay compliant with the latest GST regulations. 

FAQs on GSTR-10 (Final Return) 

1. Is the CA certificate mandatory for GSTR 10?​

CA certificate is mandatory only in the case of a business holding stock and having tax invoices wherein ITC is held. 

A CA certificate is not mandatory in cases where there is no stock holding. 

2. Can I file NIL GSTR-10? 

Yes, you can file NIL GSTR-10 if your business account is so. 

3. Who is required to file GSTR-10?​

GSTR-10 is required to be filed by taxpayers who want to surrender/cancel their GST registration. 

4. How do you file GSTR-10 after cancellation​?

Following are the steps to filing GSTR-10: 

Step 1: Go to the GST portal 

Step 2: Log in to the GST portal using your valid credentials 

Step 3: Navigate to the ‘Services’ > ‘Returns’ > ‘Final Return’ section and select the GSTR-10 form.

Step 4: Fill in the necessary information such as ITC reversals, outward supplies, the effective date of cancellation, business address, CA’s address (if applicable) 

Step 5: Declare the stock on hand and calculate the tax liability 

Step 6: Review all the details and submit it using DSC or EVC.  

5. When to file GSTR-10​?

GSTR-10 should be filed within three months from the date of cancellation.