GST annual returns (Form GSTR-9) are mandatory for most GST-registered taxpayers, including regular taxpayers, SEZ units, and developers, consolidating their monthly/quarterly transactions for the financial year. While generally required for those with a turnover exceeding ₹2 crore, all registered entities (except composition dealers and specific exempt categories) must file, usually by December 31 following the financial year-end.
GST registrants who obtained or held registration anytime during a given financial year are required to file annual return for the said financial year. The annual return is a compilation return which includes all business transactions corresponding to a particular financial year.
Form GSTR-9 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.
Every registered taxable person, other than an input service distributor/ composition taxpayer/ persons liable to deduct tax u/s 51 / persons liable to collect tax u/s 52 is required to file Form GSTR-1, the details of outward supplies of goods and/or services during a tax period, electronically on the GST Portal.
You can elect to report and pay GST annually. You can only use this method if you are voluntarily registered for GST. That is, you are registered for GST and your turnover is under $75,000 (or $150,000 for not-for-profit bodies).
Businesses dealing in goods are exempt from GST if their annual aggregate turnover is below INR 40 lakhs. For businesses in hilly and northeastern states, this threshold is reduced to INR 20 lakhs to address regional challenges. Service providers are exempt from GST if their turnover is under INR 20 lakhs annually.
All persons carrying on a business in Canada are required to register for and collect/remit GST/HST unless they are deemed to be small suppliers.
For Goods Suppliers: Businesses involved in the supply of goods must register for GST if their annual turnover exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs. For Service Providers: For those providing services, the registration threshold is Rs. 20 lakhs in annual turnover.
Essentials of GST Annual Return & GST Audit
If turnover exceeds INR 5 crore in a Financial Year then the registered person is required to file GSTR-9C along with GSTR-9. An audit involves an examination of records, returns, and other documents maintained by the registered person.
In GST, if any person or business violates any provision prescribed in the GST Act or rules, would also be subject to penalty. Therefore, upon non –filing of GST returns or missing out the GST due dates, the GST law prescribes a general penalty. The maximum penalty that may be imposed is Rs. 5,000.
Annual Return
All companies, including inactive and dormant companies, are required to file annual returns. As long as a company's status is "live", it must file its annual return with ACRA even if IRAS has exempted the company from filing its income tax return. Read our guide on filing Annual Returns.
Annual reporting periods
GST Return is a document filed by GST-registered businesses containing details of sales, purchases, input tax credit, and taxes payable/paid. Filing is mandatory for all GST taxpayers. Returns must be filed on the GST portal monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the taxpayer's classification.
What is the Minimum Turnover Limit for GST Registration? Businesses are required to register for GST and pay tax on their annual turnover if their annual revenue exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs in the case of goods supplied and Rs. 20 lakhs for the supply of services.
What happens if I don't file GST returns? If you don't file the GST returns, then late fees will apply for every day of default that occurs. Further, if there is any tax due, then interest will apply at the rate of 18% per annum on the tax liability.
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.
This article is the best place to stop by! GSTR 9 Annual Return is to be filed by all the registered regular taxpayers whose turnover exceeds INR 2 crores on or before 31st of December every year.
Tips To Reduce Risk Of GST/HST Audit
The purpose is to verify the correctness of turnover declared, taxes paid, refund claimed and input tax credit availed, and to assess the compliance with the provisions of GST. Is GST audit compulsory? No, the compulsory audit requirement under Section 35(5) of the CGST Act has been removed from 1st August 2021.
Under the GST Act, any individual or entity supplying goods or services with an annual turnover exceeding the threshold must file GST returns. This includes businesses, traders, manufacturers, service providers, and e-commerce operators. Entities registered under the GST composition scheme also need to file returns.
If your GST turnover is below the $75,000 threshold, you may choose to register. But if you do, regardless of your turnover, you must: include GST in the price of most goods and services you sell. claim GST credits for most business purchases you make.
GST return filing is mandatory even if there's no transaction during the period (NIL return). Important: You cannot file the current return if the previous return is pending. Late filing attracts interest & late fees, impacting compliance.
How do I file GSTR-9 online? Log in to the GST portal, navigate to 'Services' > 'Returns' > 'Annual Return', select the financial year, prepare it either using offline tool or online and submit the return, then file it with DSC or EVC.
What is the new 3-year filing rule? Starting from December 1, 2025, the GST portal will bar taxpayers from filing any return that is more than three years past its original due date. This means November 2025 is the last chance to file returns for periods like October 2022 or the FY 2020-21 annual return.