ANNUAL RETURN

The GST Annual Return (GSTR-9) is a mandatory yearly consolidated statement filed by regular Goods and Services Tax (GST) registered taxpayers in India. It compiles data from all monthly or quarterly returns (such as GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B) filed during a financial year. 

Types of GST Annual Returns

• GSTR-9: Filed by normal regular taxpayers, SEZ units, and SEZ developers.

• GSTR-4: Filed annually by taxpayers registered under the Composition Scheme.

• GSTR-9B: Filed by electronic commerce operators required to collect Tax at Source (TCS).

• GSTR-9C: A self-certified reconciliation statement matching GSTR-9 data with audited annual financial statements. 

Eligibility & Turnover Limits

• Exempted / Optional: Taxpayers with an aggregate annual turnover of up to ₹2 crore are exempt or have the filing made optional.

• Mandatory GSTR-9: Compulsory for businesses with an aggregate annual turnover exceeding ₹2 crore.

• Mandatory GSTR-9C: Compulsory for taxpayers with an aggregate annual turnover exceeding ₹5 crore.

• Not Required: Casual taxable persons, Input Service Distributors (ISD), and non-resident taxable persons are completely exempt. 

Critical Due Dates

• Standard Deadline: The statutory deadline is 31st December of the next financial year.

• Current Deadlines: For the Financial Year 2025–26, the due date for GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C is 31st December 2026.

• Composition Scheme Deadline: The GSTR-4 annual return for FY 2025–26 must be filed by 30th June 2026. 

Penalties for Late Filing

• Turnover up to ₹5 crore: A late fee of ₹50 per day applies (₹25 under CGST and ₹25 under SGST).

• Turnover exceeding ₹5 crore: A late fee of ₹100 per day applies (₹50 under CGST and ₹50 under SGST).

• Maximum Cap: The overall penalty cannot exceed a maximum cap of 0.25% of the total business turnover in the respective State or Union Territory.