What is the penalty for filing GST annual return late?

Asked by: Bridgette Mann  |  Last update: September 24, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (8 votes)

In India, the penalty for filing the GST annual return (GSTR-9) late is a late fee of ₹200 per day (₹100 each for CGST and SGST). This penalty is capped at a maximum of 0.5% of the taxpayer's turnover in the relevant state or Union Territory (0.25% each under the CGST and SGST Acts).

What is the penalty for GST annual return delay?

Levy of late fee:

As per Section 47(2) of CGST Act, 2017, any registered person who fails to furnish Annual Return by the due date shall be liable to pay a late fee of R 100/- per day subject to maximum of 0.25% of his turnover in the State or Union Territory. Similar provision exist in respective SGST Acts, also.

What is the penalty for filing GST return late?

You face a penalty when you file your GST/HST return late if you owe money. The penalty equals 1% of your unpaid amount plus 0.25% of that amount for each full month your return is late. The maximum penalty period is 12 months. After that, no additional monthly charges apply.

What happens when GST is filed late?

Penalty on Missing the GST Due Date:

The maximum penalty that may be imposed is Rs. 5,000. The taxpayer will be required to pay interest on late payment of GST at a rate of 18% annually in addition to the late payment penalty.

What is the late fee for GST composition annual return?

According to the latest update, a late fee of ₹50 per day is now applicable, capping at a maximum of ₹2,000. If the tax liability is nil, the maximum late fee is reduced to ₹500. Previously, a late fee of ₹200 per day was imposed if GSTR-4 was not filed by the due date, with the maximum late fee not exceeding ₹5,000.

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24 related questions found

How to calculate GST late fine?

Example: If your GST liability is ₹50,000 and payment is delayed by 20 days: Interest = ₹50,000 × 18% × 20 ÷ 365 = ₹493.

What is the penalty for late annual return?

GSTR9 Late Fee and Penalty

As per section 47, late fees for not filing the GSTR 9 within the due date is Rs.100 per day, per Act. That means late fees of Rs.100 under CGST and Rs.100 under SGST are applicable in case of delay. Accordingly, the total liability is Rs.200 per day of default.

What is the penalty for filing GST late?

Late filing penalties for goods and services tax (GST)

There is a late filing penalty of $50 if you're on the payments basis. There is a $250 penalty for late filing on the hybrid or invoice basis. These penalties are usually due on the 28th day of the month after the return was due.

How to waive GST late fee?

1. Login into GST portal: Navigate to > Services > User Services > My Applications. 2. On Navigating to 'My Applications' page, the taxpayer has to select 'Apply for Waiver Scheme under Section 128A' option under 'Application type' dropdown.

What is the minimum penalty for GST?

Fraud Penalties under GST

Here are the key penalties for fraud under GST law: In cases where tax evasion or fraud is proven, the penalty may be monumental, 100% to 300% of the amount of tax evaded. Even in cases where the percentage of tax calculated is less, a minimum penalty of ₹10,000 is imposed.

What is the grace period for GST?

Grace periods typically range from 15 to 30 days. While technically a customer could wait until the exemption date to pay, insurers may still treat the premium as GST-inclusive based on the due date, not the payment date. ...

How late can you file GST?

For GST, the CRA filing and payment deadline is 3 months after your fiscal year end. For GST filed and paid annually, the CRA payment deadline is April 30 and the filing deadline is June 15. For GST filed and paid monthly and quarterly, the CRA filing and payment deadline is one month after the reporting period.

How much does CRA charge for late filing penalty?

Failure to file penalties

If you file your return late, a penalty applies. The penalty is 5% of the unpaid tax that is due on the filing deadline, plus 1% of this unpaid tax for each complete month that the return is late, up to a maximum of 12 months.

What is the time limit for GST annual return?

The due date for filing Form GSTR-9 for a particular financial year is 31st December of subsequent financial year or as extended by Government through notification from time to time.

Can you negotiate a late fee?

According to a report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund, about 90 percent of first-time late fees can be waived if you simply ask. Even if you've missed payments more than once, some issuers still offer goodwill adjustments.

How far can you back date GST?

Backdating a GST registration is limited to 4 years. This means, unless there is fraud or evasion: we can't backdate your GST registration by more than 4 years. you are not required to be registered before that date.

What happens if GST annual return is not filed?

Failing to file GSTR-9 on time results in financial penalties of ₹200 per day, capped at 0.25% of annual turnover, disrupting cash flow for businesses. Non-compliance with GSTR-9 can lead to denial of input tax credits, audits, legal risks, and even suspension or cancellation of GST registration.

How to calculate GST return late fee?

Late fees are automatically calculated on the GST portal and must be paid before filing the delayed return. Interest on late payment of tax is charged separately at 18% per annum. Filing of subsequent returns is blocked until previous pending returns and late fees are cleared.

How much can a CA charge to file monthly GST returns?

GST Return Fees: Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,000 per month. Professional Filing Services: Rs.

What is the minimum late filing penalty?

If your return is over 60 days late, there's also a minimum penalty for late filing; it's the lesser of $525 (for tax returns required to be filed in 2026) or 100 percent of the tax owed. See Topic no. 304 for information about extensions of time to file if you can't file on time.

How to pay GST late filing penalty?

Login to GST Portal and select the option - Services - Then select - Payment. Select Create Challan and window will be opened showing tax particulars, interest, penalty and fees details. Select Penalty and pay the same according to category - CGST, SGST or IGST. Q.

What happens if you don't file an annual return?

If you don't file an annual report, your business risks late fees, suspension of its right to do business, and eventually administrative dissolution (being shut down by the state), which can lead to losing your liability protection, making it hard to get financing or contracts, and having your business name taken by others. Reinstatement is often possible but involves back payments, penalties, and extra paperwork, according to NCH inc..

What is the last date for GST composition annual return?

When is GSTR-4 due? GSTR-4, the annual return, must be filed by taxpayers on an annual basis. The due date for filing GSTR-4 is the 30th of April following the relevant financial year. For instance, for the financial year 2023-24, GSTR-4 is due by 30th April 2024.

What is the GST annual return rule?

Form is an annual return to be filed once, for each financial year, by the registered taxpayers who were regular taxpayers, including SEZ units and SEZ developers. The taxpayers are required to furnish details of purchases, sales, input tax credit or refund claimed or demand created etc. in this return.