How to File GST Return: Your Hassle-free Manual to File it the Right Way!

Stuck between paperwork and complicated tax terminologies? You are not alone! With changing GST laws, a wide array of freelancers, business owners, and entrepreneurs get puzzled about staying compliant. But here’s the catch for you- filing returns just got stress-free. This guide will break down how to file GST return in the easiest way, ensuring a faster and better process. 

It doesn’t matter if you are filing returns for the 1st time or you file them regularly; this article has got you covered. Before we scroll down to see how to file GST return, let’s have a look at return forms.  

GST Return Forms: A Fast-track Guide You Can’t Ignore! 

Taxpayer Segments	Categories of Returns Submitted	Schedule for Filing Returns	Last date	Essential Information
Listed Supplier	GSTR-1	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 10th of the next calendar month	Outward supply details for taxable goods/services to be submitted
	GSTR-2A	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 11th of the next calendar month	Auto-fetch information of inward supplies availed by the recipient based on details submitted in GSTR-1 by the supplier.
	GSTR-2	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 15th of the next calendar month	Inward supply details of Taxable goods/services to claim ITCs. Revisions in GSTR-2A will automatically appear in GSTR-2
	GSTR-1A	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 17th of the next calendar month	Outward supplies are added, edited or removed by the receiver in GSTR-2 will be accessible to the supplier
	GSTR-3	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 20th of the next calendar month	A monthly statement summarizing the confirmed details of outward and inward supplies along with the payment of due taxes.
	GST MIS-1	On a monthly basis	—	Intimation regarding acceptance, discrepancy, or duplication found in the input tax credit claim.
	GSTR-3A	—	Fifteen days from the date of default	A notice issued to a registered taxpayer who fails to submit their GST returns within the prescribed time.
	GSTR-9	On a Yearly Basis	On or prior to 31st December of the next fiscal year	Annual Return – provides a comprehensive summary of Input Tax Credit (ITC) claimed and GST paid, covering local transactions, interstate dealings, as well as imports and exports
GST Composition Scheme Taxpayer	GSTR-4A	Once per quarter	—	Information regarding inward supplies is shared with the composition scheme recipient, based on the Form GSTR-1 submitted by the supplier.
	GSTR-4	Once per quarter	Submit by the 18th of the next calendar month	Provide a statement of all outward supplies of goods and services, covering auto-populated data from Form GSTR-4A, along with details of tax liability and the corresponding payment.
	GSTR-9A	On a Yearly Basis	On or prior to 31st December of the next fiscal year	Submit the combined summary of quarterly returns filed, along with information on tax payments made.
Overseas (NRI) taxpayer	GSTR-5	On a monthly basis	By the 20th of the following month or within 7 days after the registration’s validity ends.	Submit information on imports, outward supplies, input tax credit claimed, taxes remitted, and closing inventory
Firms or individuals supplying online data access and retrieval services	GSTR-5	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 20th of the next calendar month	Information on outward supplies of online data access, information, or retrieval services provided by an overseas entity to unregistered individuals within India.
Input Service Distributor	GSTR-6A	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 11th of the next calendar month	Information on inward supplies received by the ISD recipient, based on Form GSTR-1 submitted by the supplier.
	GSTR-6	On a monthly basis	By the 13th of the following month	Provide the details of input tax credit allocated to recipients.
Tax Deductor at Source	GSTR-7	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 10th of the next calendar month	Provide a statement of the tax deducted at source (TDS) along with related particulars.
	GSTR-7A	On a monthly basis	The TDS certificate should be accessible for download by the deductee	TDS Certificate – records the amount subject to tax deduction at source and confirms the deposit of the deducted tax with the government.
E-commerce	GSTR-8	On a monthly basis	Submit by the 10th of the next calendar month	Provide information on goods or services sold via the e-commerce platform along with the tax collected on these transactions.
	GSTR-9B	On a Yearly Basis	On or prior to 31st December of the next fiscal year	An annual report capturing details of goods or services supplied through an e-commerce operator, including information on returned supplies and the tax amounts collected under the relevant provisions.
When total turnover surpasses ₹2 crores	GSTR-9C	On a Yearly Basis	On or prior to 31st December of the next fiscal year	Reconciliation Statement – a certified statement that matches the audited annual accounts with the declared GST returns.
Final Return – submitted by registered persons whose GST registration has either been cancelled or surrendered voluntarily.	GSTR-10	On a Yearly Basis	It must be submitted within three months from the date of cancellation of registration or the date of the cancellation order, whichever is later.	Provide information on inputs and capital goods in stock, along with the taxes already paid and any taxes that are still due.
A designated agency of the United Nations, any recognized multilateral financial institution, or any notified UN body, consulate, or foreign embassy	GSTR-11	On a monthly basis	On or prior to 28th  December of the next fiscal year	A person holding a Unique Identification Number (UIN) must provide details of inward supplies received

We have seen GSTR forms, their filing due dates, frequency, and requirements in the above section. Now, it’s time to unveil the GST filing process through the portal. Read it right away. 

GST Return Filing Methods! 

• File With a CA 
• Go Through GSTN Portal 
• Leverage GST Filing Tool 
• Through GST Suvidha Providers 

How to File GST Return: A Quick Snapshot of Online Process! 

1. Apply for GSTIN

If you haven’t registered yet, you must apply for and obtain your GSTIN Number (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number). It’s a 15-digit numeric code created on the basis of your state code business transaction and PAN. 

2. Sign in With Your Account Details 

To file GST return online, head to the official GST portal, log in using your user ID and password, and then click on the ‘Services’ tab to continue.

3. Navigate to Returns Dashboard

You can now see the ribbon below the services tab. Click on Returns and then choose ‘Returns Dashboard’ from the dropdown. 

4. Prep to File GST Return Online

Next, select the financial year from the menu for which you are filing the return. Select the return filing type, and choose one of the options under how to file GST return. For online, select ‘Prepare Online’. 

5. Insert All the Details

Enter the requested information accurately in the empty fields. Jot this important instruction- if there’s any late fee you haven’t paid yet, it should be clearly mentioned in the form. Lastly, save and submit the form. 

6. Verify Form Status

After submitting the form, the key step in the GST filing process is to verify that the form status has changed to ‘Submitted’.

7. Pay the Taxes 

After the status shows as ‘submitted’, proceed by selecting “Payment of Tax”. Now, click on the ‘Check Balance’ and credit as well as cash balance will be displayed on the screen. 

8. Offset Liability 

This is the last step under how to file GST return, where you need to click on offset liability and make the online payment in seconds. Read the declaration and tick the relevant boxes. Proceed ahead by clicking on either File with DSC or EVC to pay the dues. 

The above GST filing process is a generic one for all the return filing types. However, please make a note that every GST filing form has additional steps depending on its process and type. 

Check here if you face any DSC errors while filing GST Returns.

Let’s Wrap Up! 

Filing returns is no more confusing and stressful. Hopefully, the blog takes you through a clear understanding of how to file GST returns, GST form types, requirements and more. Doesn’t matter if you are a seasoned filer or doing it for the first time, this is the right process you can follow. Still have questions on how to file GST? Feel free to connect with us! 

Want to file GST returns effortlessly? Get started with Munim right away! 

FAQs on How to File GST Return! 

1. How to file GST without a CA? 

To file GST return online without a CA, you can either use GST filing tools or go to the GSTN portal and follow the above steps. 

2. Can I file my GST Return myself? 

Yes, you can file a GST return yourself through the GSTN portal or online tool. 

3. Who is eligible for the GST filing process? 

If you have paid more tax, exported supplies, unutilized ITCs, etc. then you are eligible for GST filing. 

4. How much does it cost to file returns? 

Self-filing incurs zero cost, filing through a CA can cater to ₹500 – ₹5,000 per return, while through an online portal can incur ₹250 – ₹2,000 per month per month. Munim offers the most cost-effective GST return filing solution at just ₹5000 billed annually. This accounts to ₹417/ month that too for all GST filing services.