Understanding GSTR 9: Annual Return for GST Registrants

GSTR 9 is an annual return mandated by the GST regime. It encapsulates a year's worth of a taxpayer's inward and outward supplies, the tax paid on those supplies, the input tax credit (ITC) availed, and refund claims (if any). It also provides insights into the taxpayer's annual turnover and, for certain cases, audit details.

Who Needs to File GSTR 9?

Not all GST registrants are required to file GSTR 9. Here's a breakdown of who falls under the ambit of GSTR 9 filing:

• Regular Taxpayers: Businesses registered under the GST regime as regular taxpayers must file GSTR 9, provided they have filed GSTR 1 (sales return) and GSTR 3B (summary return) for the relevant financial year.
• SEZ Units and Developers: Special Economic Zone (SEZ) units and developers operating under GST also need to file GSTR 9.
• Composition Taxpayers Who Migrated Out: Taxpayers who opted out of the composition scheme during the financial year and transitioned to the regular taxpayer category must file GSTR 9.

Understanding the Components of GSTR 9

Casual taxpayers, non-resident taxpayers, and Input Service Distributors (ISDs) don't need to file. A comprehensive form structured into six parts:

• Part 1: Basic Details - This section gathers basic information like the taxpayer's GST Identification Number (GSTIN), financial year, and legal/trade name.
• Part 2: Outward Supplies - This part details all outward supplies made during the year, including those exempt from tax, along with the tax paid on them.
• Part 3: Input Tax Credit (ITC) - This section is further divided into three subsections:
• Details of ITC claimed and reflected in returns filed for the year (typically obtained from GSTR 3B)
• Information on ineligible and reversed ITC claimed in returns for the year
• Auto-populated ITC details
• Part 4: Tax Paid - This part captures the total tax paid during the financial year.
• Part 5: Amendments - Taxpayers can use this section to report any amendments made to supply details in tax returns filed between April and September of the current year or the previous year's annual return (whichever is applicable).
• Part 6: Other Information - This part gathers details like tax demands, refunds, supplies received from deemed suppliers and composition taxpayers, goods sent on approval basis, an HSN summary of both inward and outward supplies, and any applicable late fees.

How to File GSTR 9 Online

The process of filing GSTR 9 is primarily online through the GST portal. Here's a simplified breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Login: Access the GST portal using your credentials.
2. Navigate to Returns Section: Go to "Services" and then "Returns."
3. Select Annual Return: Click on "Annual Return."
4. Choose Financial Year: Select the relevant financial year for which you want to file GSTR 9.
5. Prepare Online: After clicking "Search," review the "Important Message" and select "Prepare Online."
6. Choose Filing Option: Select "Yes" to file a nil return (if applicable) or "No" to proceed with a regular return.
7. Fill in Details: Click on each displayed section and fill in the required information.
8. Preview and Compute: Utilize the "Preview" button to view a summary of your GSTR 9 in Excel or PDF format. Select "Compute Liabilities" to calculate any late fees.
9. Payment (if applicable): If there's any tax liability after calculating late fees, you can proceed with payment. The system will auto-generate a challan for the amount payable. Choose your preferred payment mode for the challan.
10. Review and File: Download a draft of your GSTR 9 for review. Verify the declaration box and authorized signatory details.