GST Portal – Login & GST Filing Online in 2024

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indirect tax in India which has replaced a number of indirect taxes like service charges, VAT and excise duty. Owning a business makes you liable to file a GST return depending on your annual turnover and category of business. 

There are a total of 11 types of GST returns. These are GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-4, GSTR-5, GSTR-5A, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-8, GSTR-9, GSTR-9C, GSTR-10 and GSTR-11.

You can view your GST filing status using software provided by the Goods and Services Tax Network. 

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about GST return filing status, its types and how to view the filing status. 

Who Should File GST Returns? 

A business that has an annual turnover crossing ₹20 lakh is required to obtain a GST registration as well as file a GST return mandatorily. In case of special states, the limit for annual turnover is ₹10 lakh. The number and category of GST returns that a business owner is supposed to file depends on the annual turnover as well as the type of business. 

As per the latest GST guidelines, businesses that have an annual aggregate turnover of more than ₹5 crore need to file two monthly returns and one annual return. This is also applicable to taxpayers who did not opt for the QRMP (Quarterly Return Filing and Monthly Payment of Taxes) scheme. Therefore, a total of 25 returns need to be filed every year. 

On the other hand, if a trader has an annual turnover of ₹1.5 crore or less and has opted for the composite scheme, he/she needs to file GST returns just once a year. Business owners and dealers need to identify their filing process according to the nature of the business. According to your category of business, you will be eligible to file your GST return using any particular type of GST return type.

In case a dealer or a taxpayer does not have any business activity during a quarter or a month, they need to file Nil GSTR-1. 

What Happens If you don’t File GST Returns? 

The GST department imposes a late fee of ₹100 for each late filing of SGST and CGST, which is a total of ₹200 each day.

A maximum of ₹5000 is chargeable as a late fee. Apart from that, an interest of 18% per annum on total tax payable from the due date till the payment is imposed. 

How to File GST Returns in 2024

There are specific formats for each type of GST return, and these forms need to be filed on the GST portal. GST returns can be easily filed online by using the software provided by the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). 

GST Filing: Online Process

• Step 1: First, you need to make sure that you are registered on the official GST portal and have the 15-digit identification number based on your state code and PAN. In case you are not registered and do not have the number, you will have to go through the registration process.  
• Step 2: Visit the official GST portal.
• Step 3: Login by using your Provisional ID, UIN or GSTIN and Password if you are a first-time user and Username and Password if you are an existing user.
• Step 4: Click on the ‘Service’ tab and then select ‘Return’ from the dropdown menu.
• Step 5: You will be redirected to the ‘File Returns’ page. On this page, select the financial year, quarter and month for which you are filing your return and click on ‘Search’. 
• Step 6: After this, select the appropriate GST form that you need to file and click on ‘Prepare Online’.
• Step 7: Fill in all the required details and then click on the ‘Save’ button. A success message will be displayed on your screen. After this, select ‘Submit’, and your return will be submitted.
• Step 8: Scroll down and select the ‘Payment of Tax’ tab to know your payment liability. In case you have any credit balance remaining from a previous transaction, you can utilise it.
• Step 9: After completing this, accept the declaration form and select the signature process.
• Step 10: In case you wish to file your form using a digital signature, choose the option ‘file form with DSC’. In case you wish to proceed with Electronic Verification Code, select the option ‘file form with EVC’.
• Step 11: Finally, complete the payment, after which your GST return filing will be complete.

GST Filing: Offline Process

Mentioned below are the steps that you can use to file your return offline:

• Step 1: Visit the official GST Portal.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Downloads’ tab, and from the drop-down menu, select ‘Offline Tools’.
• Step 3: Once another drop-down menu opens, select ‘Return Offline Tools’.
• Step 4: Once redirected, select ‘Download’ mentioned under the heading ‘Return Offline Tool Version V3.1.7.’ 
• Step 5: Once you have filled the form with the required details, you are required to upload the form on the GST portal. 

However, you need to remember that you can only download the offline versions of GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 forms. 

Different Types of GST Filing Status

When checking your GST filing status on the official GST portal, you can find any of the four statuses of your GST return:

Note: There is no process to revise the GST return. You need to include all the unreported invoices in relation to your previous tax period in the current month’s return and interest, if it is applicable.

How to check GST Filing Status? 

You can track your GST return filing status using three different ways. They are:

1. Using ‘Track Return Status’ Option

• Step 1: Navigate to the official GST portal and log into the portal using valid credentials.  
• Step 2: Select the ‘Services’ tab from the menu.
• Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select the ‘Returns’ option. Once another drop-down menu opens, click on ‘Track Return Status’.
• Step 4: Select ‘Status’ option and choose the GST return for which you want to check the status.
• Step 5: Hit the ‘Search’ button, and the status of your return will be displayed on your screen.

2. Using ‘Return Filing Period’

• Step 1: Visit the official GST portal and log in using your credentials.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Services’ tab and select ‘Returns’ from the drop-down menu.
• Step 3: Select ‘Track Return Status’ from the drop-down menu that opens.
• Step 4: Once redirected, choose ‘Return filing Period’. Enter the return filing period by using ‘From’ and ‘To’ drop-down options and click on ‘Search’.
• Step 5: Finally, your GST return status will be visible on your screen.

3. Using ‘ARN’ Option

• Step 1: Navigate to the official GST portal and log in using your credentials.
• Step 2: Choose the ‘Services’ tab from the top menu.
• Step 3: A drop-down menu will open. Select ‘Returns’ from it, and from the next drop-down menu, choose ‘Track Return Status’.
• Step 4: Once redirected, choose the ‘ARN’ option.
• Step 5: On the designated space provided, enter the Application Reference Number (ARN) that you received after submitting your GST returns.
• Step 6: Click on the ‘Search’ button, and your GST return status will be displayed on the screen.

Note: The types of GST returns whose filing status can be viewed are GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-9.

Importance of knowing GST Return Filing Status 

Knowing your GST filing status will help you ensure that you have filed your return within time and help you escape from paying penalties and interest. By using the software provided by the Goods and Services Tax Network, it is easy to track the status of your filing. 

At the click of a button, you can view your GST filing status data whenever you want and take required actions to correct if there are any issues. Buyers can now check the tax payment status of suppliers, which has made claiming input tax credits easier. 

Taxpayers can check the status of the last 10 returns filed in the pre-login search taxpayer menu. Buyers can also know the return filing status of taxpayers in an easier and more user-friendly way which will help in confirming the input tax credit of the taxpayer.

Conclusion

Every taxpayer needs to be well aware of the process of GST filing. This will help in dealing with the latest regulations of Goods and Services Tax every time. 

Knowing the GST filing status will help you remain aware of whether your GST return filing is successful or whether there is any problem from your end, or if there is some issue in updating GST records from the department. 

Nowadays, a number of platforms are present online that you can use for hassle-free GST return filing. 

Disclaimer

This article is solely for educational purposes. Stable Money doesn't take any responsibility for the information or claims made in the blog.