GSTR 9C: Filing, Eligibility, Due Date, & Late Fees
All registered taxpayers who have an aggregate turnover of Rs 5 Cr or more have to file the GSTR 9C. The GSTR 9C is a reconciliation statement between annual returns filed through GSTR 9 and the data as per the audited annual financial statements. Taxpayers have to prepare and self-certify GSTR 9C for reconciliation purposes. This guide will help you under the GSTR 9C better so that you can meet legal compliances under the new tax regime.
Who has to File GSTR 9C?
All the registered taxpayers under the Goods and Services Tax regime in India have to file the annual reconciliation statement before the due date to avoid paying penalties. However, as per the CBIC’s rules, some businesses are exempted from filing the it.
Non-resident taxpayers who are providing OIDAR services in India to unregistered persons are exempted from filing both GSTR 9 and GSTR 9C. Also, foreign companies dealing in the aviation industry and compliant with the GST provisions are exempted from filing the it as per the Companies Act 2013. Other businesses satisfying the criteria for an annual turnover of Rs 5 Cr or above have to file the reconciliation statement annually.
GSTR 9C Filing Requirements
- You have to prepare a reconciliation statement between GSTR 9 and the annual audited financial statements
- It has to be self-verified or certified by the taxpayer themselves
- It does not require any CA or cost accountant certification now
- Attach a certified copy of GSTR 9 for the same financial year
- All the monthly and quarterly GST returns have to be filed in GSTR 1, GSTR 3B, and GSTR 9
Due Date to File GSTR 9C
All the businesses meeting the criteria have to file the it before or on the 31st of December, along with the GSTR 9. For the financial year 2024-25, the GSTR 9C has to be filed by the 31st of December 2025.
Avoiding filing the return may attract heavy penalties and legal actions to be issued against the taxpayers. Taxpayers can prepare and file the annual reconciliation statement on the online GST portal and submit the audit information. In certain cases, the government may increase the filing deadline still not make any intentional delay, and file the return on time.
Late Fee for GSTR 9C
The authorities have not made any specific provisions under the laws about fixed late fees for it, but taxpayers may be obliged to pay Rs 25,000 as general fees for the late filing.
When the government considers it necessary to extend the filing date, it extends the last filing dates sometimes to relieve the taxpayers. Still do not wait for the authorities to extend the date and file the it before the deadline to avoid last minute hurry.
How is GSTR 9 different from GSTR 9C?
| Criteria | Reconciliation Statement GSTR 9C | Annual Return GSTR 9 |
| Limits | Businesses having an annual turnover of more than Rs 5 Cr are only eligible | Casual taxable persons, non-resident taxpayers, UIN holders, composition dealers, and TCS/TDS dealers are not eligible |
| Who can file it? | All GST-registered taxpayers who are entitled to an audit | All taxpayers |
| GST Acts | Prescribed under section 35(5) read with section 44 of the GST Act | Prescribed under rule 80 of section 44 of the GST Act |
| Nature | Reconciliation statement for examining GST returns | Annual return to consolidate GST returns |
| Attachment | Audited financial statements to be annexed | No annexures required |
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