✅ What is GST Return Filing?

A GST Return is a document that a registered taxpayer (business or professional) must file with the GST Department of India.
It contains details of:

• Sales (outward supplies)

• Purchases (inward supplies)

• Output GST (collected on sales)

• Input GST (paid on purchases)

• Net GST liability (payable to the government)

???? Filing is done online on the GST Portal (www.gst.gov.in).

???? Types of GST Returns (Common for Businesses)

???? Step-by-Step Process of GST Return Filing

Step 1: Collect Data

• Sales invoices (outward supplies).

• Purchase invoices (inward supplies).

• Debit/Credit notes.

• E-way bills (if applicable).

Step 2: Log in to GST Portal

• Go to ???? www.gst.gov.in.

• Login with GSTIN, username & password.

Step 3: Prepare GSTR-1 (Sales Data)

• Upload invoice details.

• Mention B2B, B2C sales, exports.

• File monthly/quarterly as per turnover.

Step 4: Prepare GSTR-3B (Summary)

• Report outward supplies (sales).

• Claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on purchases.

• Pay net tax liability via cash ledger or adjust with ITC.

Step 5: Pay GST

• Use online payment (NEFT/RTGS, Net Banking, UPI).

• Generate challan on GST portal.

Step 6: File Return

• Submit and e-sign with DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) or EVC (OTP to registered phone/email).

???? Example

???? Suppose in August:

• Sales (Outward Supply): ₹5,00,000 → GST = ₹90,000

• Purchases (Inward Supply): ₹3,00,000 → GST Paid = ₹54,000

Net GST Payable = ₹90,000 – ₹54,000 = ₹36,000 (to be paid while filing GSTR-3B).

???? Due Dates

• GSTR-1: 11th of next month (monthly) OR 13th of next month (quarterly).

• GSTR-3B: 20th of next month (monthly).

• GSTR-9: 31st December of next financial year.

???? Penalties for Late Filing

• Late Fee: ₹50 per day (₹20 for Nil return).

• Interest: 18% per annum on outstanding tax.

???? Best Practices for GST Filing

✅ Keep invoices & purchase records updated.
✅ Reconcile sales vs. GSTR-2A/2B (auto-generated purchase data).
✅ File returns on time to avoid penalties.
✅ Use accounting software (Tally Prime, Zoho Books, Busy, ClearTax, etc.) for automation.

✅ In short: GST return filing = Upload sales & purchase data → Calculate ITC → Pay balance GST → Submit return on portal.