Starting from late 2025 (with full enforcement in December 2025/January 2026), the GST portal restricts filing GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and GSTR-9 returns that are more than three years past their original due date. This rule permanently bars taxpayers from filing old, overdue returns, leading to a permanent loss of Input Tax Credit (ITC).
What is changing? Starting from December 1, 2025, the GST portal will enforce a hard stop on filing old returns. Businesses will be permanently barred from filing any GST return (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-9) that is more than three years past its original due date.
A significant compliance enhancement introduced from 1st October 2025 is the requirement to report TDS details invoice-wise in GSTR-7. Earlier, deductors could report consolidated TDS data, but now each transaction must be linked to the specific invoice on which tax is deducted.
The GST rates in India have been simplified to three main slabs: 5%, 18%, and 40%. The 5% rate applies to essentials and common household goods, the 18% rate is the new standard for most consumer products and services, and the 40% rate is for luxury and "sin" goods.
GST law also provides for grant of provisional refund of 90% of the total refund claim, in case the claim relates for refund arising on account of zero rated supplies. The provisional refund would be paid within 7 days after giving the acknowledgement.
You can claim a GST refund in the following situations, when additional tax is paid or deposited due to errors or omissions. When dealers and deemed export goods or services are subject to refund or refund. Refunds can also be made for purchases made by UN agencies or embassies.
You are eligible for this credit if you are a resident of Canada for income tax purposes at the end of the month before and at the beginning of the month in which the CRA makes a payment (read When your GST/HST credit is paid). In the month before the CRA makes a quarterly payment, you must be at least 19 years old.
GST registration limits in regular category states are ₹40 lakhs for goods and ₹20 lakhs for services. Special category states have a limit of ₹20 lakhs.
Using the wrong tax codes or accounting method
Many GST mistakes are the result of using incorrect tax codes or the wrong accounting method: Tax codes: If a GST-free sale is coded as taxable in your accounting system, you'll pay GST unnecessarily. If a taxable sale is coded GST-free, you'll underpay.
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)
Payment amounts are recalculated every July
For example, the information from your 2024 tax return determines the GST/HST credit amount you get for the payment period from July 2025 to June 2026. You could get up to: $533 if you are a single individual. $698 if you are married or have a common-law partner.
For any standard-rated supplies of goods or services that you make on or after 1 Jan 2024, you must charge GST at 9%. For instance, if you issue an invoice and receive payments for your supply on or after 1 Jan 2024, you must account for GST at 9%.
To every person who supplies goods and/or services of value exceeding Rs 20 lakh in a financial year. (Limit is Rs 10 lakh for some special category states). Compulsory registration for these. And GST must be paid when turnover exceeds Rs 20 lakh (Rs 10 lakh for some special category states).
Effective October 1st, 2025, a new set of rules for GST return filing will come into effect. This marks the first filing cycle under the GST 2.0 reforms, aimed at improving transparency, control, and accuracy in Input Tax Credit (ITC) management through the Invoice Management System (IMS).
The GST Reforms 2.0 have brought in major changes, including: A new three-slab structure of 5%, 18%, and 40%, simplifying the previous system. Lower rates on many essential goods, electronics, and vehicles. Enhanced compliance through new automated filing systems and reconciliation tools.
The GST return due date to file these annual returns is 31 December following the end of the financial year. For example, for the financial year 2024-25, the GST filing last date will be 31st Dec 2025.
Major highlight was simplification of tax rates into two main slabs (5% & 18%) by removing 12% and 28%. Sin goods will be taxed at a new 40% GST. These changes are now live with notifications by the CBIC passed on 17th September 2025.
There are only minimal items which are not reportable for GST purposes. These include bank transfers between accounts, stamp duty, depreciation and salary/wages. These are purchases/sales that have a 0% GST rate.
Penalties for filing an incorrect return
Businesses may be penalised for up to 200% of the tax undercharged for the submission of incorrect GST returns and be liable to a fine and imprisonment term. Businesses that commit fraud may be dealt with more severely.
To qualify for the GST/HST credit, your adjusted net family income must be below a certain threshold, which for the 2024 tax year ranges from $56,181 to $74,201, depending on your marital status and how many children you have.
You must register for GST if:
It starts from the day you become entitled to the credit, typically the date of the tax invoice or the date the payment is made, depending on your accounting method. After four years, you can no longer amend or include a claim for that GST credit in your Business Activity Statement (BAS).
GST Voucher – Cash
You must be aged 21 and above in 2025; Your Income Earned in 2023 as assessed by IRAS (Assessable Income (AI) for the Year of Assessment (YA) 2024) must not exceed $39,000; The Annual Value (AV) of your home (as indicated on your NRIC) as at 31 December 2024 must not exceed $31,000; and.
The maximum you can receive from the GST/HST credit until the end of the payment period is: $533 if you're single. $698 if you're married or have a common-law partner. $184 for each child under the age of 19.
But persons who are engaged exclusively in the business of supplying goods or services or both that are not liable to tax or wholly exempt from tax or an agriculturist, to the extent of supply of produce out of cultivation of land are not liable to register under GST.