How to File GSTR-9 on GST Portal?

GSTR-9 is a document or a statement that has to be filed once a year by the registered taxpayer irrespective of the turnover of an entity. This document will contain the details of all supplies made and received under various tax heads (CGST, SGST and IGST) during the entire year along with the turnover and audit details for the same. This is to be filed by SEZ units and SEZ developers as well.

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This article will take you through the steps to file GSTR-9 on the GST Portal.

Prerequisites for Filing GSTR-9

A taxpayer should be registered as a normal taxpayer under GST at least for a single day in a financial year.
A taxpayer should have filed GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for the financial year before filing the annual return because GSTR-9 is a compilation of data filed in GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B.
Table number 6A will be auto-populated from the Form GSTR-3B and the same is not editable.
Table number 8A will be auto-populated from the Form GSTR-2A and the same is not editable.
Table number 9- “Details of Tax Paid” as declared in returns filed during the financial year will be auto-filled based on the details provided by you in Form GSTR-3B for the relevant financial year. In this, “paid through cash” and “paid through ITC” are the non-editable columns.

Step-by-Step Guide to File GSTR-9 on GST Portal

Step 1: Logging in to the GST Portal

Access the www.gst.gov.in URL. The GST home page will be displayed.
Here, you will have to log in to the GST Portal with valid credentials.

Step 2: Accessing the Returns Dashboard

Click on the Services > Returns > Returns Dashboard option.

Accessing the annual returns dashboard to file GSTR-9

Alternatively, you can also click the “annual return” link on the dashboard.

Alternative way for accessing the annual returns dashboard to file GSTR-9

Step 3: File Annual Returns Page

The “file annual returns” page is displayed.
Select the “financial year” for which you want to file the annual return from the drop-down list.
Click the “search” button.

Step 4: Detailed File Annual Returns Page

A detailed file annual returns page is displayed.
Please read the important information in the boxes carefully.
This page displays the due date of filing annual return, by giving relevant information in separate tiles by the taxpayer.
In the GSTR-9 tile, click on the “prepare online” button.

Detailed file annual returns page to file GSTR-9

Step 5: Answering the Question to Proceed to the Next Screen

A question is displayed.
You will have to answer whether you want to file a nil annual return for that particular financial year or not.

Answering the question to proceed to the next screen to file GSTR-9

You will then proceed to the next screen.

Note:

Nil annual return can be filed for a particular financial year if you have:

NOT made any outward supply (sales)
NOT received any goods or services (purchase)
NO other liability to report
NOT claimed any credit
NOT claimed any refund
NOT received any order creating demand
There is no late fee to be paid, etc.

In case of Yes (File Nil Return):

Select “yes” for option 1 to file nil return
Click the “next” button
Click on “compute liabilities” and proceed to file
File GSTR-9 with DSC/EVC

In case of No (Non-Nil Return):

Select “no” for option 1 to file GSTR-9 return
Click the “next” button

Note:

The option for “no” is pre-filled in case the data from Form GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns is auto-populated in Form GSTR-9 being filed by you.

Step 6: “GSTR-9 Annual Return for Normal Taxpayers” Page is Displayed

Please read the important message in the boxes “steps to prepare GSTR-9 return online” carefully.
It will also contain various tiles for which details must be filled.
Click on all the 3 tabs to download: GSTR-9 System Computed Summary, GSTR-1/IFF Summary, GSTR-3B Summary and Table 8A document details (excel format).
You will have to click on the hyperlinks to download the files.

Hyperlinks for downloading GSTR-9 system computer summary, GSTR-1/IFF summary, GSTR-3B summary and Table 8A document details

In some cases, zip file will be directly downloaded if they contain less data.

Zip file of GSTR-9 system computer summary, GSTR-1/IFF summary, GSTR-3B summary and Table 8A document details will be directly downloaded in case of less data

The downloaded summaries will help you with the details to be provided in various tiles of GSTR-9

GSTR-9 Annual Return for Normal Taxpayers Page

Note:

Table 8A of Form GSTR-9 is populated on the basis of documents in file Form GSTR-1 or Form GSTR-5 of the supplier. Thus, all the documents which are present in GSTR-2A (Table 3 and 5) will not be available here. This is because the documents which are in the uploaded or submitted stage in Form GSTR-1 or Form GSTR-5 are not accounted for credit in Table 8A of Form GSTR-9.
Data saved/submitted in Form GSTR-1 or Form GSTR-5 will be shown in Form GSTR-2A, but will not be shown in the downloaded excel file of Table 8A of Form GSTR-9.
The document wise details for Table 8A is downloaded in the zip format. You will have to unzip the file.
Also, the details of Table B2B, B2BA, CDNR and CDNRA will be available in the downloaded excel. This will help you in reconciling the values of Table 8A and hence facilitate in filing Form GSTR-9.

Details of Table B2B, B2BA, CDNR, CDNRA will help in reconciling the values of Table 8A and facilitate in filing GSTR-9

Step 7: Enter Requisite Details in Various Tables for the Financial Year

1.“Details of advances, inward and outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is payable”

Click on the “details of advances, inward and outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is payable” tile to enter/view the summary of outward/inward supplies made during the financial year.

Details of advances, inward and outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is payable in Form GSTR-9

Then enter/edit the “taxable value, integrated tax, central tax, state/UT tax and cess” details.
Then click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled up in Table Number 4N.

Note:

Details will be auto-filled based on the details uploaded by you in the Form GSTR-1 and Form GSTR-3B during the said relevant financial year.
You can click on the “help” link to know more details.
If the details provided are +/- 20% from the auto-populated data, then the cells would be highlighted in red for your reference and attention. Post which before proceeding, you will get a confirmation message, in which you have to click the “yes” button to proceed further.

When there is +/-20% variation from the auto-populated data, the cells will be highlighted in red

2. “Details of Outward Supplies Made During the Financial Year on Which Tax is Not Payable”

Click on the “details of outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is not payable” tile to enter/view the summary of non-taxable outward supplies made during the financial year.
Enter the “taxable value” details

Details of outward supplies made during the financial year on which tax is not payable in Form GSTR-9

Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled up in Table Number 5(M).

Note:

Details will be auto-filled based on details uploaded by you in Form GSTR-1 and Form GSTR-3B during the said relevant financial year.
If the details provided are +/- 20% from the auto-populated data, then the cells would be highlighted in red for your reference and attention. Post which before proceeding, you will get a confirmation message, in which you have to click the “yes” button to proceed further.

3. “Details of ITC Availed During the Financial Year”

Click on the “details of ITC availed during the financial year” tile to enter/view the summary of ITC availed during the financial year.

Details of ITC availed during the financial year in Form GSTR-9

Enter the “integrated tax, central tax, state/UT tax and Cess.”
Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled up in Table Number 6(O).

Note:

Details will be auto-filled based on the details provided by you in Form GSTR-3B for the relevant financial year.
Table number 6A will be auto-filled based on the Form GSTR-3B and the same is non editable.

4. “Details of ITC Reversed and Ineligible ITC for the Financial Year”

Click on the “details of ITC reversed and ineligible ITC for the financial year” tile to enter/view the summary of ITC reversed or ineligible during the financial year.
Enter the “integrated tax, central tax, state/UT tax and Cess.”
In case you want to add other reversals, enter the description of reversal and tax details.
Click the “Add” button to add more rows, if required.

Adding more rows in the tile- Details of ITC reversed and ineligible ITC for the financial year in Form GSTR-9

Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled up in Table Number 7(I).

5. “Other ITC Related Information”

Click on the “other ITC related information” tile to enter/view the ITC availed during the financial year.
Enter the “integrated tax, central tax, state/UT tax and cess” details in row C, E, F and G of the table.

Other ITC related information to be filled in row C, E, F and G of the table in Form GSTR-9

Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled up in Table Number 8(A).

Note:

Table number 8A will be auto-filled based on the details auto populated in Form GSTR-2A and the same is not editable.

6. “Details of Tax Paid as Declared in Returns Filed During the Financial Year”

Click on the “details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the financial year” tile to enter/view the tax (including interest, late fee, penalty and others) paid during the financial year.
Enter the tax payable for “integrated tax, central tax, state/UT tax, cess, interest, late fees, penalty and others.

Details of tax paid as declared in returns filed during the financial year in Form GSTR-9

Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled up in Table Number 9.

Note:

Complete Table Number 9 will be auto filled based on the details provided by you in Form GSTR-3B for the relevant financial year. “Paid through Cash” and “Paid through ITC” columns are non-editable.

7. “10, 11, 12 and 13 Details of the Previous Financial Year’s Transactions Reported in the Next Financial Year”

Click the “10,11,12 and 13 details of the previous financial year’s transactions reported in the next financial year” tile to enter/view the summary of transactions reported in the next financial year.
Enter the “taxable value, integrated tax, central tax, state/UT tax and cess” in the relevant rows of the table.
Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.

Saving the form details before filing GSTR-9

Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled in the respective tile.

8. “Differential Tax Paid on Account of Declaration in Table No. 10 and 11”

Click the “differential tax paid on account of declaration in table no. 10 and 11” tile to enter/view the total tax paid on transactions reported in the next financial year.
Enter the “payable” and “paid amount” details.
Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.

Going back to the GSTR-9 dashboard as a part of process to file GSTR-9

You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled in the respective tile.

9. “Particulars of Demands and Refunds”

Click on the “particulars of demands and refunds” tile to enter/view particulars of demands and refunds during the financial year.
Enter the “tax” details.
Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled in the respective tile.

Updated tile summary of particulars of demands and refunds in form GSTR-9

10. “Supplies Received from Composition Taxpayers, Deemed Supply by Job Worker and Goods Sent on Approval Basis”

Click the “supplies received from composition taxpayers, deemed supply by job worker and goods sent on approval basis” tile to enter/view the summary of the above mentioned details

Supplies received from composition taxpayers, deemed supply by job worker and goods sent on approval basis in Form GSTR-9

Enter the “taxable value” and “tax” details
Click the “save” button. A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled in the respective tile.

11. “HSN Wise Summary of Outward Supplies”

Click the “HSN wise summary of outward supplies” tile to enter/view HSN wise summary of outward supplies made during the financial year.
In the “HSN” field, enter the applicable provision of reporting HSN or Service Classification Code of the outward supplies.
In the “UQC” field, select UQC. For supply related to services, “OTH-Others” may be selected from the dropdown

HSN wise summary of outward supplies in Form GSTR-9

In the “Total Quantity” field, enter the quantity. For supply related to services, report “zero.”
In the “Total Taxable Value” field, enter the total taxable value of the outward supply.
Select whether supply is applicable for concessional rate of tax.
Select the “rate of tax” from the drop-down list.
Enter the “central tax, integrated tax, state/UT tax and cess” amount.
Click the “Add” button. The HSN details are added. You can click the “add/delete” button to add or delete the details.
Similarly, add other details and click the “save” button.
A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled in the respective tile.

12. “HSN Wise Summary of Inward Supplies”

Click the “HSN wise summary of inward supplies” tile to enter/view HSN wise summary of inward supplies received during the financial year.
In the “HSN” field, enter the applicable provision of reporting HSN or Service Classification Code of the inward supplies.
In the “UQC” field, select UQC. For supply related to services, “OTH-Others” may be selected from the dropdown
In the “Total Quantity” field, enter the quantity. For supply related to services, report “zero.”
In the “Total Taxable Value” field, enter the total taxable value of the outward supply.
Select whether supply is applicable for concessional rate of tax.
Select the “rate of tax” from the drop-down list.
Enter the “central tax, integrated tax, state/UT tax and cess” amount.
Click the “Add” button. The HSN details are added. You can click the “add/delete” button to add or delete the details.

Adding or deleting buttons to add/delete HSN details in Form GSTR-9

Similarly, add other details and click the “save” button.
A confirmation message would be displayed saying, “save request accepted successfully” the pop-up on which you have to click the “ok” button.
Lastly, click on the “back to GSTR-9 dashboard” button to go back to the Form GSTR-9 Dashboard page.
You will be directed to the GSTR-9 dashboard landing page and the tile summary will be updated based on the details filled in the respective tile.

Step 8: Preview Form GSTR-9 Summary

Once you have entered all the details, click the relevant button “preview draft GSTR-9 (PDF) or preview draft GSTR-9 (excel).
Your draft summary page of Form GSTR-9 will be downloaded for your review.

Preview form GSTR-9 summary before filing it

Note:

It is recommended that you download this summary page and review the summary of entries made in different sections carefully before computing the liabilities.
The PDF file generated would bear the watermark of “draft” as the details are yet to be filed by you.
Once you click the “preview draft GSTR-9 (excel)” button, a link, “click here to download excel file” will be created below the button. On clicking it, the zip file will be downloaded. You will then have to extract the zip file in order to open the excel file to view Form GSTR-9.

How to download excel file of the draft form GSTR-9?

Zip file will be downloaded of the draft form GSTR-9 in excel format

How to extract from the zip file to view the excel of the draft form GSTR-9?

You can make changes to Form GSTR-9 if needed after reviewing and before you file GSTR-9. The changes can be made to Form GSTR-9 online on the GST Portal.

Step 9: Compute Liabilities and Pay Late Fees (If Any)

Click on the “compute liabilities” button for computation of late fees (if any).

Computing liabilities before filing GSTR-9

A message is displayed on the top page of the screen that “compute liabilities request has been received. Please check the status after sometime”
Then, click the “Refresh” button.
Once the status of Form GSTR-9 is “ready to file” and liabilities are calculated, “late fee payable and paid” tile gets enabled.

When late fee payable and paid tile gets enabled before filing GSTR-9

Click on the “late fee payable and paid” tile or on the “proceed to file” button.
Available cash balance as on date in Electronic Cash Ledger is shown to the taxpayer in “cash ledger balance” table.

Scenario 1- If Available Cash Balance in Electronic Cash Ledger is Less Than the Amount Required to Offset the Liabilities

If this is the case, then additional cash required to be paid by you will be shown in the “additional cash required” column.
You may create challan for the additional cash directly by clicking on the “create challan” button.

If Available Cash Balance in Electronic Cash Ledger is Less Than the Amount Required to Offset the Liabilities of GSTR-9

Select the “payment modes” as E-Payment/Over the Counter/NEFT/RTGS
Click the “generate challan” button

Scenario 2- If Available Cash Balance in Electronic Cash Ledger is More Than the Amount Required to Offset the Liabilities

If the available cash balance in the Electronic Cash ledger is more than the amount required to offset the liabilities, no additional cash is required for paying liability.

If Available Cash Balance in Electronic Cash Ledger is More Than the Amount Required to Offset the Liabilities of GSTR-9

You will then also be able to preview and then file GSTR-9.

Note:

After the “compute liabilities” button is clicked, details provided in various tables are processed on the GST Portal at the back end and late fee liabilities, if any, are computed. Late fee is calculated if there is delay in filing GSTR-9 annual return beyond the due date.
In case, records (or data as submitted while filing GSTR-9) are processed with error or are under processing at the back end, a warning message is displayed. If the records are still under processing, wait for the processing to be completed at the back end. For the records which are processed with an error, go back and take action on those records for making corrections.
In the Tax Liability Details grid, the “total challan amount” field and “total challan amount (in words)” fields are auto-populated with the total amount of payment to be made. You cannot edit this amount.
In case of Net Banking, you will be directed to the net banking page of the selected bank. The payment amount is shown at the bank’s website. After successful payment, you will be redirected to the GST portal where the transaction status will be displayed.
In case of over the counter payment mode, you will have to take a printout of the challan and visit the selected bank. You will then have to pay using cash/cheque/demand draft within the challan’s validity period. Status of the payment will be updated on the GST portal after confirmation from the bank.
In case of NEFT/RTGS payment mode, you will again have to print your challan and visit the selected bank. You will have to pay using a cheque through your account with the selected bank/branch. You can also pay using the account debit facility. The transaction will be processed by the Bank and confirmed by the RBI within 2 hours. Status of the payment will be updated on the GST Portal after getting the confirmation from the Bank.

Step 10: File Form GSTR-9 with DSC/EVC

Select the “declaration” checkbox.
Select the “authorized signatory” from the drop-down list.
Click the “file GSTR-9” button.
Click the “yes” button.
The “submit application” page is displayed. Click the “File with DSC” or “File with EVC” button.

File with DSC:

Select the certificate and click the “sign” button.

File with EVC:

Enter the OTP sent on the email and mobile number of the Authorized Signatory registered at the GST Portal and click the “validate OTP” button.
The success message is displayed and ARN is displayed.
Status of the Form GSTR-9 return changes to “filed.”
Message will be displayed to directly navigate to Form DRC-03, to pay additional liabilities, if any declared in Form GSTR-9.

Note:

File button gets enabled only if you have:
No “additional cash (which)) is required” to pay for late fees, if any.
Clicked on the “preview draft GSTR-9 PDF” button to review the details entered.
Clicked on the declaration checkbox and have selected authorized signatory details from the drop-down list.
Once Form GSTR-9 is filed, you cannot make any changes.

Step 11: After Form GSTR-9 is Filed

ARN is generated on successful filing of the return in Form GSTR-9
AN SMS and an email is sent to the taxpayer on his registered mobile and email id.
Electronic Cash Ledger and Electronic Liability Register Part-I will get updated on successful set-off of liabilities (late fee only).
Filed GSTR-9 will be available for view/download in PDF and Excel format.

ARN is generated and the status is changed after successful filing of GSTR-9

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Key Takeaways

The GST tax regime of India is found to be complex and mind-wrecking all across. It is because of this that the Government of India have allowed for certified GST practitioners who act as the bridge between you (taxpayer) and the government (regulator of tax compliance).

While the Government of India has done its part in making the process of adapting to GST much simpler and easier, this guide will help you understand all the steps to file GSTR-9. Form GSTR-9 is a mixture of manual details and auto-populated details and hence has a mixture of editable and non-editable details up till the final submission of the form for filing.

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