1. What is Form GSTR-9?

Form GSTR-9 is an annual return to be filed once for each financial year, by the registered taxpayers who were regular taxpayers, including SEZ units and SEZ developers. The taxpayers are required to furnish details of purchases, sales, input tax credit or refund claimed or demand created etc. in this return.

2. Who need to file Annual Return in Form GSTR-9?

Form GSTR-9 is to be filed by a person who is registered as a normal taxpayer, including SEZ unit or SEZ developer and the taxpayers who have withdrawn from the composition scheme to normal taxpayer any time during the financial year.

Note:

• Composition taxpayers can file Annual Return in Form GSTR-9A.
• Annual Return is not required to be filed by casual taxpayer / Non Resident taxpayer / ISD/ OIDAR Service Providers.

3. What is the difference between Form GSTR-9 and Form GSTR-9C?

Form GSTR-9 is required to be filed by every person registered as normal taxpayer. However, certain class of taxpayers may be exempted from filing Form GSTR-9 by way of Notifications issued by Government of India from time to time.
Form GSTR-9C is required to be filed by every registered person whose aggregate turnover is above a certain threshold during the financial year, as notified by way of Notifications issued by Government of India from time to time. Such taxpayers are required to get their accounts audited by Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant and need to submit a copy of audited annual accounts and reconciliation statement.

4. Is it mandatory to file Form GSTR-9?

Yes, it’s mandatory to file Form GSTR-9 for normal taxpayers. 

5. What are the pre-conditions for filing Form GSTR-9?

Pre-conditions for filing of Form GSTR-9 are:

• Taxpayer must have active GSTIN during the relevant financial year as a normal/regular taxpayer even for a single day.
• Taxpayer has filed all applicable returns i.e. Form GSTR-1/IFF and Form GSTR-3B of the relevant financial year before filing the Annual Return.

6. Can I file nil Form GSTR-9?

Nil Form GSTR-9 can be filed for the Financial year, if you have: –

• NOT made any outward supply (commonly known as sale); AND
• NOT received any goods/services (commonly known as purchase); AND
• NO other liability to report; AND
• NOT claimed any credit; AND
• NOT claimed any refund; AND
• NOT received any order creating demand; AND
• There is no late fee to be paid etc.

7. In Form GSTR-9, can additional liability not reported earlier in Form GSTR-3B be declared?

Yes, additional liability not reported earlier at the time of filing Form GSTR-3B can be declared in Form GSTR-9. The additional liability so declared in Form GSTR-3B are required to be paid through Form GST DRC-03.

8. Can I claim or report any unclaimed ITC through Annual Return?

No. You cannot claim ITC through Form GSTR-9.

9. What do I need to do if available cash balance in Electronic Cash Ledger is less than the amount required to offset the liabilities?

Available cash balance as on date in Electronic Cash Ledger is shown to the taxpayer in “Cash Ledger Balance” table. If available cash balance in Electronic Cash Ledger is less than the amount required to offset the liabilities, then additional cash required to be paid by taxpayer is shown in the “Additional Cash Required” column. You may create challan for the additional cash directly by clicking on the CREATE CHALLAN button.