WFYI logo

Understanding GSTR-9 Annual Return: Key Aspects, Deadlines, and Compliance

The GSTR-9 is a mandatory annual GST return for registered taxpayers with an aggregate turnover exceeding Rs. 2 crores, consolidating all monthly and quarterly filings. This comprehensive report details sales, purchases, and tax payments, necessitating thorough reconciliation for accurate disclosure. The article outlines GSTR-9's applicability, various types, turnover limits, due dates, and the detailed content and filing process. It also addresses the penalties for late filing and highlights a past GST amnesty scheme to facilitate compliance.

📖 4 min read read🏷️ GSTR-9

The GSTR-9 is an essential annual Goods and Services Tax return, typically filed by December 31st following the relevant financial year. This return summarizes a taxpayer's sales, purchases, and the GST amounts levied and paid throughout the financial period. Under GST regulations, registered taxpayers whose annual turnover surpasses Rs. 2 crores are required to submit GSTR-9. For finance professionals, filing GSTR-9 goes beyond merely consolidating monthly or quarterly returns like GSTR-1, GSTR-2B, and GSTR-3B. It demands thorough data reconciliation and requires settling any underpaid tax or excessive tax credit claims with the government. This article provides a comprehensive overview of GSTR-9.

Recent Updates on GSTR-9 Filing

  • October 14, 2025: The facility for filing GSTR-9 for the financial year 2024-25 is now operational on the GST portal.
  • September 17, 2025:
    • Form GSTR-9 for FY 2024-25 has undergone modifications, as outlined in CGST notification 16/2025.
    • Registered individuals with an aggregate turnover of up to Rs. 2 crore are exempted from filing the annual return from FY 2024-25 onwards, according to CGST notification 15/2025.
  • June 7, 2025: The GSTN has announced a restriction preventing taxpayers from filing GSTR-3B after three years from its due date. This change will be enforced on the GST portal starting with the July 2025 tax period, as per advisory.
  • 55th GST Council Meeting (December 21, 2024): The Council intends to issue a clarification regarding late fees under Section 47(2) of the CGST Act, 2017, for delayed submission of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C, as discussed in the 55th GST Council meeting.
  • 53rd GST Council Meeting (June 22, 2024): Taxpayers with an aggregate annual turnover below Rs. 2 crore for FY 2023-24 were recommended for an exemption from filing GSTR-9/9A, formalized via CGST notification 14/2024 dated July 10, 2024, following the 53rd GST Council meeting.

What is the GSTR-9 Annual Return?

GSTR-9 serves as an annual summary return for taxpayers registered under GST. Key features include:

  • It includes comprehensive information on both outward and inward supplies for the financial year, categorized by tax heads such as CGST, SGST, IGST, and cess, along with HSN codes.
  • This return consolidates all monthly or quarterly filings, including GSTR-1, GSTR-2A, GSTR-2B, and [GSTR-3B], submitted during the year.

Despite its complexity, GSTR-9 facilitates extensive data reconciliation, promoting transparent financial reporting.

GSTR-9 Applicability: Who Must File?

All GST-registered taxpayers are generally required to file GSTR-9. However, certain categories are exempt:

Types of GSTR-9 Returns

CGST Rule 80 outlines the various annual return forms under GST law. There are four primary types of annual returns:

  • GSTR-9: This is for regular GST taxpayers who submit GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, particularly if their annual turnover exceeds the Rs. 2 crore limit for the financial year.
  • GSTR-9A: Composition taxable persons used to file this until FY 2018-19. Starting from FY 2019-20, it has been superseded by the GSTR-4 annual return, due by April 30th of the subsequent financial year.
  • GSTR-9B: This annual return, intended for e-commerce operators who collect TCS and file GSTR-8 monthly, is currently on hold.
  • GSTR-9C: The Annual Reconciliation Statement is an audit form that requires self-certification. It must be filed by taxpayers whose aggregate turnover exceeds Rs. 5 crore in a financial year, as further detailed in GSTR 9C guidelines.

GSTR-9 Turnover Limit

Filing GSTR-9 (Annual Return) has been optional for businesses with a turnover up to Rs. 2 crore from FY 2017-18 through FY 2023-24. The GST department issues notifications annually, specifying the turnover threshold above which GSTR-9 filing becomes mandatory.

GSTR-9 Due Date

The deadline for filing the GSTR-9 annual return for FY 2024-25 is December 31, 2025. Generally, the GSTR-9 due date is the 31st of December of the year following the specific financial year.

GSTR-9 Contents and Format

The GSTR-9 form is structured into six parts, comprising 19 sections. Each part requests details readily available from previously filed returns and financial records.

  • Broadly, GSTR-9 requires annual sales figures, differentiating between taxable and non-taxable transactions.
  • Regarding purchases, the annual value of inward supplies and the associated Input Tax Credit (ITC) claimed must be disclosed.
  • Furthermore, these purchases need to be categorized as inputs, input services, or capital goods.
  • Details of any ITC that requires reversal due to ineligibility must also be entered.

GSTR-9 Filing Steps

The process for filing GSTR-9 involves several key steps:

  • Ensure all GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns are filed up to date, particularly for FY 2024-25.
  • Conduct a comprehensive reconciliation of ITC and sales data from the beginning of the financial year.
  • Address any discrepancies identified during reconciliation by communicating with vendors and customers.
  • Enter relevant disclosures for FY 2024-25 into the government's offline tool or utilize other cloud-based software for streamlined auto-fills and end-to-end filing.
  • Settle any identified short payment of tax or excessive ITC claims for FY 2024-25 by paying via DRC-03.
  • Submit the GSTR-9 on the GST portal. For a detailed guide on filing GSTR-9 via the GST portal, refer to the step-by-step instructions.

Late Fees and Penalties for Non-Filing of GSTR-9

The department classifies taxpayers based on turnover for imposing late fees on delayed GSTR-9 filings, with these fees applicable from FY 2022-23 onwards:

S.NoTurnover limitLate fee per dayMaximum late fee
1Up to Rs.5 croreRs.50 (Rs.25 each under CGST and SGST Act)0.04% of turnover in state/UT (0.02% each under CGST and SGST Act)
2More than Rs.5 crore and less than Rs.20 croreRs.100 (Rs.50 each under CGST and SGST Act)0.04% of turnover in state/UT (0.02% each under CGST and SGST Act)
3More than Rs.20 croreRs.200 (Rs.100 each under CGST and SGST Act)0.50% of turnover in state/UT (0.25% each under CGST and SGST Act)

For financial years up to 2021-22, the late fee for not filing GSTR-9 by the due date was Rs. 100 per day per Act (i.e., Rs. 100 under CGST and Rs. 100 under SGST), totaling Rs. 200 per day of default. This was capped at 0.25% of the taxpayer’s turnover in the relevant state or union territory per Act. No late fee is currently applied to IGST.

GST Amnesty Scheme for GSTR-9 in 2023

The CBIC, through notification 07/2023 dated March 31, 2023, announced a waiver of late fees exceeding Rs. 20,000 (Rs. 10,000 each under CGST and SGST Act) for delayed GSTR-9 filings for years 2017-18 up to 2021-22, provided they were filed between April 1, 2023, and June 30, 2023.

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GST and how does it benefit the Indian economy?
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indirect tax system in India that replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by central and state governments. It aims to simplify the tax structure, reduce tax on goods and services, and create a common national market, thereby boosting economic growth and transparency.
What are the different components of GST in India?
GST in India is levied as three main components: Central GST (CGST) for intra-state supplies, State GST (SGST) for intra-state supplies, and Integrated GST (IGST) for inter-state supplies and imports. Additionally, Union Territory GST (UTGST) applies to supplies within Union Territories without a legislature.
How is Input Tax Credit (ITC) claimed under GST?
Input Tax Credit (ITC) allows businesses to reduce the tax paid on input goods or services from the tax payable on output goods or services. To claim ITC, a taxpayer must possess valid tax invoices, have received the goods or services, and the supplier must have paid the tax to the government and filed their returns. ITC is reported in GSTR-3B based on GSTR-2B.
What is the significance of the HSN code in GST?
The Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) code is an internationally recognized product classification system. Under GST, HSN codes are used to classify goods and services, ensuring uniformity in taxation. Businesses are required to mention HSN codes on invoices and in GST returns based on their turnover, facilitating accurate tax calculation and reporting.
Are all businesses in India required to register for GST?
No, not all businesses are required to register for GST. There are threshold limits for aggregate turnover, which vary for goods and services, and for different states/special category states. Businesses exceeding these thresholds, or those involved in inter-state supply, e-commerce, or certain other specified activities, must obtain GST registration.

Share Article

Browse by Topics

Related Articles

Popular Articles