The last date for filing the GSTR-9C reconciliation statement (GST audit) is 31st December of the year following the relevant financial year. For the financial year 2024-25 (FY 25), the due date is 31st December 2025. This applies to taxpayers with an annual aggregate turnover exceeding ₹5 crore.
What is the due date for GSTR-9C? The due date for filing the GSTR-9C is 31st December following the end of the financial year. For example, for the financial year 2022-23, the GSTR-9C must be filed by 31st December 2023.
As per Rule 80 of the CGST Rules, 2017, every registered person liable to file Annual Return for every financial year is required to file the same on or before the 31st December of next financial year. Accordingly, the last date of filing Annual Return for FY 2021-22 is 31st December, 2022.
Who is required to file GSTR 9C? Every registered person under GST whose turnover during a financial year exceeds the prescribed limit of Rs. 5 crore must file a self-certified reconciliation statement in Form GSTR-9C. This statement must be filed by every GST-registered taxpayer, i.e. every GSTIN.
Late fees ₹200 (₹100 CGST + ₹100 UT/SGST) per day of delay, subject to a maximum cap of an amount at ₹0.50% (0.25% + 0.25%) of itsd turnover. No specific provision, hence, subject to a general penalty of ₹25,000. To be filed on the GST portal. To be filed on the GST portal at the time of or after filing GSTR 9.
Late filing of Income tax return will attract penalty u/s 234F up to Rs. 5,000, late filing interest at the rate of 1% per month (Section 234A) on the tax payable, delay in refund, not providing interest on refund @ 0.5% per month, inability to carry forward the losses.
GSTR 9 is an annual return that GST-registered businesses must file, detailing their financial transactions. GSTR 9C is a reconciliation statement, mandatory for businesses with a turnover exceeding Rs. 2 crores, ensuring consistency between audited financial statements and GSTR 9.
Tips To Reduce Risk Of GST/HST Audit
Yes, since FY 2020-21, you can file a self-certified GSTR 9C without a CA certification. Take an example of GSTR-9C for FY 2024-25 to be filed by 31st December 2025. It is the annual reconciliation statement to reconcile values your GSTR-9 and the audited financial statements, for FY 2024-25.
Scope of the Scheme: The waiver scheme applies to only those taxpayers who have failed to file GSTR-9 earlier. To avail benefits of this scheme, taxpayers have to file the return before March 31, 2025. Already Paid Late Fees: No refunds will be issued if the taxpayer has already filed the return with late payment fees.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has pushed the tax-audit report due date to 10 November 2025 and the ITR filing deadline for audit cases to 10 December 2025, giving businesses and professionals extra time to finish audit work and file returns.
The return for September 2025 may now be filed till October 25, 2025, and similarly, for taxpayers filing quarterly returns (July–September 2025 quarter), the due date is also extended to October 25, 2025.
Filing your GST/HST returns late or making mistakes in your filings can trigger an audit. Why It's a Trigger: Frequent errors may indicate poor financial management. The CRA may investigate whether errors were intentional to reduce tax liability.
September 15, 2026 - Third quarter 2026 estimated tax payment due. October 15, 2026 - Deadline to file your extended 2025 tax return. If you chose to file an extension request on your tax return, this is the due date for filing your tax return.
How to File GSTR-9C?
All regular GST-registered taxpayers with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 2 crores are required to file GSTR-9C, which includes a reconciliation statement and certification by a Chartered Accountant (CA) or Cost Management Accountant (CMA).
GST is leviable only if aggregate turnover is more than 20 lacs. (Rs. 10 lacs in 11 special category States). For computing aggregate supplies turnover of all supplies made by you would be added.
Ans. Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) has been made mandatory for all kinds of the Certifications, GST and Tax Audit Reports and other Audit, Assurance and Attestation functions undertaken/signed by full-time Practicing Chartered Accountants.
Yes, HSN code is mandatory in GSTR 9 under certain conditions. From the financial year 2021-22 onwards, it's mandatory to report the HSN Summary for Outward Supplies (your sales) in Table 17 of GSTR-9. Taxpayers with a turnover above Rs. 5 crores must report HSN codes at a 6-digit level.
As per CBIC notification no. 30/2021 dated 30th July 2021, every registered person under GST whose turnover during a financial year exceeds the prescribed GSTR-9C turnover limit of Rs. 5 crore satisfies the GSTR-9C applicability condition to file this statement.
One of the most significant red flags for CRA auditors is the mismatch between reported income on tax returns and actual bank deposits. This discrepancy often indicates unreported income, which can trigger an immediate audit. To avoid this: Maintain accurate records of all income sources.
Example 1 – If GSTR 9 is furnished on 25th December 2025 (due date 31st December 2025) and GSTR 9C is furnished on 7th January 2026. Then no late fees is levied for GSTR 9 as it is furnished within due date. However late fees for 7 days (delay in furnishing of GSTR 9C) is auto populated in GSTR 9C.
Types of GST in India
CGST (Central Goods and Services Tax) SGST (State Goods and Services. IGST (Integrated Goods and Services Tax) UTGST (Union Territory Goods and Services Tax)
The turnover limit for a mandatory GST audit is ₹2 crore. If a taxpayer's annual turnover exceeds this amount, they must have their accounts audited by a qualified Chartered or Cost Accountant.