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LoansJagat Team

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5 Min

25 Jul 2025

GST Return Filing Online: Steps, Portal Login & Due Dates

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GST Return Filing Online is the process of submitting a business’s tax details, including sales, purchases, and tax paid or collected, electronically on the GST portal as required by law.

 

Ramesh, a small stationery shop owner in Jaipur, earns ₹1,20,000 per month. That totals ₹14,40,000 annually. Since his turnover crosses the ₹20,00,000 limit, he is registered under GST. Initially, he visited his accountant every month and paid ₹1,000 for filing.

 

Now, using IndiaFilings' LEDGERS platform for GST Return Filing Online, he spends only ₹500 a month and completes the filing in minutes. He uploads invoices, claims input tax credit, and gets timely reminders from his advisor. 

 

Ramesh says with a smile, “God has finally made my GST filing simple.”

GST Return Filing Online: Introduction

GST return filing online means submitting your business tax details on the internet as per government rules under GST.GST Return Filing Online is how people and businesses tell the government how much tax they collected and paid. 

Filing returns used to be hard and slow. People had to fill out forms by hand or go to offices. Now, because of the internet, it can be done from home or the shop. It saves time, money, and mistakes. There are also apps and websites, like IndiaFilings and LEDGERS, that help with GST return filing.

GST Return Filing Online – Different Categories, Prices, and Applicable GST Rate
 

Product Category

Price (₹)

GST Rate

Total Price with GST (₹)

School Books

500

0%

500

Packaged Snacks

200

12%

224

Mobile Phone

10,000

18%

11,800

Small Hatchback Car

4,00,000

28%

5,12,000

GST Return Filing Online – Types and HSN Code Table

The HSN code is not applicable here. Let’s learn more about GST return type: 
 

GST Return Type

Description

Example

GSTR-1

Details of outward supplies

If Riya owns a garment store and sells clothes worth ₹2 lakh in May, she must report these sales in GSTR-1.

GSTR-3B

Monthly summary return

Aman runs a grocery shop. Every month, he files GSTR-3B to show total sales, purchases, and tax payable.

GSTR-4

For Composition taxpayers

Meena runs a small catering service under the composition scheme. She files GSTR-4 once every year.

GSTR-5

Non-resident taxpayers

Alex, a UK-based businessman, sells goods during an expo in India. He files GSTR-5 for his Indian sales.

GSTR-6

Input Service Distributors

A company’s head office receives service invoices and distributes them to branch offices using GSTR-6.

GSTR-7

Tax deducted at source (TDS)

If a government department hires a contractor and deducts TDS under GST, it must file GSTR-7.

Types of Taxpayers and Their GST Applicability
 

Taxpayer Type

Annual Turnover

GST Rate Applicable

Small Retailer (like Rahul)

Up to ₹1.5 crore

1% under Composition

Medium Manufacturer

₹1.5 – ₹5 crore

Regular GST @ 18%

Large Business

Over ₹5 crore

Regular GST @ 18-28%

Freelancer (like Neha)

Below ₹20 lakh

No GST (Exempted)

Example: Neha offers online yoga classes. Her annual turnover was ₹15,00,000. As per GST rules, businesses earning below ₹20,00,000 don’t need GST registration.

Neha began preparing GST returns but later realised she was exempt. When her income crossed ₹22,00,000 the next year, she registered and started filing online. She smiled and said, “Wisdom brings peace to the mind.”

Understand the Impact of GST Return Filing Online With an Example

Anita, who owns a small boutique in Indore, earlier paid ₹2,000 monthly to get her GST filed manually. Now, she pays only ₹750 to file her returns using IndiaFilings' GST portal. She saves time, avoids penalties, and gets reminders through her advisor.

Benefits Noticed:
 

  • Lower filing cost
     
  • Fewer errors in tax calculation
     
  • Input Tax Credit (ITC) tracked better
     
  • Reduced chances of late filing penalties

Filing online made her say, “This method is the real hero behind my peace of mind,” just like the turning point in the movie 3 Idiots when everything started going right.

Input Tax Credit (ITC) on GST Return Filing Online

Ravi, a furniture seller in Delhi, bought plywood worth ₹50,000 and paid ₹8,000 as GST. Later, he sold finished furniture for ₹1,00,000 and collected ₹18,000 GST from his customer. By using GST Return Filing Online, he claimed the earlier ₹8,000 as ITC and only had to pay ₹10,000 to the government.

Input Tax Credit Table:
 

Particular

Value (₹)

GST Paid or Collected (₹)

Net GST Payable (₹)

Purchase

50,000

8,000

-

Sale

1,00,000

18,000

10,000

GST Return Filing Deadlines:
 

Return Type

Taxpayer Type

Due Date

GSTR-1

Regular

11th of next month (monthly)

GSTR-3B

Regular

20th of next month

GSTR-4

Composition Taxpayers

30th April annually

GSTR-5

Non-Resident Foreign Taxpayer

20th of next month

GSTR-6

Input Service Distributor

13th of next month

GSTR-7

For TDS Deductors

10th of next month

GSTR-9

Annual Return (Regular)

31st December of the next FY

Penalties for Late GST Return Filing
 

  • ₹100 per day under CGST + ₹100 under SGST (up to ₹5,000)
     
  • 18% interest per annum on late tax payment
     
  • A delay in one return delays the next

So even if there is no sale, a nil GST return must be filed on time. Businesses must not skip deadlines. As the saying goes, “Timely work brings double reward.”

How is GST Return Filing Online Done?

You may file returns using the GST portal, but it requires technical knowledge. Platforms like IndiaFilings simplify the process.

Steps:
 

  1. Log in to your GST profile.
     
  2. Upload invoices.
     
  3. Calculate and match ITC.
     
  4. Submit and pay taxes online.
     
  5. Download the filing receipt.

By outsourcing it to IndiaFilings, a dedicated advisor is assigned. The advisor:

  • Calls every month for document collection
     
  • Uploads invoices on LEDGERS
     
  • Prepares and files returns accurately

Conclusion of GST Return Filing Online

GST return filing online is now an important part of how businesses follow tax rules in India.. It saves time, reduces paperwork, avoids penalties, and offers better tracking of taxes and credits. People like Ramesh, Neha, and Ravi now focus more on growing their business, thanks to online filing platforms.

As the famous movie dialogue says, “When your tax is right, everything feels right.” Staying compliant is not hard anymore—it just takes one smart step online.

FAQs Related to GST Return Filing Online

1. Is GST Return Filing Online required monthly?
Yes, either monthly or quarterly based on your business size.

2. Can I skip return filing if I had no sale?
No. Nil return must be filed to avoid penalties.

3. What is the late fee for not filing on time?
₹100/day each under CGST & SGST. Interest also applies.

4. Who can help me file returns online?
IndiaFilings provides advisors and software to help you.

5. Can I claim ITC with online filing?
Yes. Input GST paid can be adjusted while filing.

6. What’s the cost of GST filing with IndiaFilings?
Starts from ₹500 monthly, depending on your business type.

7. Is there a free tool for GST Return Filing Online?
The government GST portal is free, but complex. LEDGERS is easier.

8. How do I avoid common GST mistakes?
Use software like LEDGERS and consult professionals.

9. Can GST be filed using a mobile phone?
Yes. Most platforms now support mobile filing, too.

10. What happens if I forget to file for a month?
You will not be able to file the next month’s return until the earlier one is done.
 

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LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?

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