Get answers to your top questions about GSTR 9: FAQs

What is the GSTR 9?

The GSTR 9 is an annual tax return for details related to the supplies you have made and received during the course of the financial year.

Who is required to file a GSTR 9?

All taxpayers who are registered under GST and have a GSTIN are required to file the annual return GSTR 9, unless they fall into one of the following categories:

• Casual taxpayers
• Input service distributors
• Non-resident taxpayers
• Taxpayers deducting or collecting tax at source
• Taxpayers who fall under the composition scheme (they must file a GSTR 9A instead)

When is the last date for filing a GSTR 9?

Form GSTR 9 must be filed before the 31st of December of the following year. For example, if you are filing a GSTR 9 for the year 2018, then you must file it before the 31st of December, 2019.

If you are filing a GSTR 9 for the financial year 2018-2019, it must be filed by November 30, 2019.

What are the different annual returns under GST law?

There are 4 different annual forms under GST law: GSTR 9, GSTR 9A, GSTR 9B, and GSTR 9C. The GSTR 9 is for regular registered taxpayers who file GSTR 1 and GSTR 3B. The GSTR 9A is for registered composite dealers. The GSTR 9B must be filed by e-commerce operators who collect tax at source and have filed a GSTR 8 for the financial year.

The GSTR 9C is reconciliation statement between the annual returns that were mentioned in GSTR-9 and the information that was mentioned in the audited annual financial statements of the taxpayer. The GSTR-9C is meant for all taxpayers that have an aggregate turnover of above Rs.2 crores in a financial year and are liable to get their annual reports audited.

What information is required to file a GSTR 9?

The GSTR 9 form requires details regarding your outward and inward supplies, ITC as declared in other returns, tax paid as declared in other returns, transactions from the previous financial year, and other information that hasn’t been provided in other returns. These details are split into 7 different parts. Let’s take a quick look at what each part is for:

Part 1: This part is for your basic details including financial year, GSTIN, legal name, and trade name (if any).

Part 2: This part is further split into 2 sections. The first is for your outward and inward supplies declared during the financial year, and the second is for outward supplies for which tax is not payable.

Part 3: This part is split into 3 sections for your availed ITC, reversed and ineligible ITC, and any other details related to your ITC.

Part 4: This part is for details related to the amount of tax that you have paid, as declared in returns filed during the financial year.

Part 5: This part is for details of transactions made during the previous financial year, which have been declared in either the returns filed during the current financial year, or the annual return for the previous year, whichever is earlier.

Part 6: This part is for any other information that hasn’t been mentioned anywhere else. This includes GST demand and refund details, supplies received from composition taxpayers, deemed supply goods sent on an approval basis, an HSN-wise summary of outward and inward supplies, and late fees paid or payable.

Part 7: The final part is for verification. This is where you fill in your name, designation, and place and date of filing, and sign the form.

For more information on how to file a GSTR 9, check out our GST guides.

Is there any late fee for filing a GSTR-9 past the due date?

Yes. The fee for filing a GSTR-9 late is Rs. 200 for every day after the due date that the taxpayer fails to file the GSTR-9. Half of the amount comes under CGST, and the other half comes under SGST. 

Once filed, can a GSTR-9 be edited or revised?

No, once a GSTR-9 has been filed, it cannot be edited or revised. This is why it’s important to make sure all the details mentioned in the form are accurate before filing the form.

If a taxpayer has multiple GSTINs under the same PAN, are they required to file a GSTR-9 for each GSTIN?

Yes, the taxpayer is required to file a separate form for each GSTIN that is eligible for the GSTR-9, regardless of which State or Union territory they obtained it from. 

Is a taxpayer required to file a GSTR-9 even if they cancelled their registration during the financial year?

Yes, a taxpayer is required to file a GSTR-9 if they cancelled their registration during that financial year. They are also required to file a GSTR-9 if they’ve applied for cancellation, but the application was pending as of the last day of the financial year.