A person or business registered under GST generally needs to file the returns that apply to their registration. In some cases, you may also need to file a return when your business has no sales or purchases during a tax period.

However, the type of return and filing schedule depend on your GST registration and the scheme you have chosen.

Small businesses may fall into different groups, such as:

• Regular GST taxpayers

• Businesses under the QRMP Scheme

• Businesses under the Composition Scheme

• Businesses registered as Input Service Distributors

• E-commerce operators and other special categories

Not every small business needs to file every GST return. Therefore, first check your GST registration type and understand which returns you need to file.

Important GST Returns for Small Businesses

Small businesses registered as regular GST taxpayers commonly file GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. However, businesses under the Composition Scheme follow a different filing process.

Let’s understand the main GST returns that small businesses may need to file.

1. GSTR-1 – Details of Sales

GSTR-1 is a statement that contains details of sales made by your business during a tax period.

You may need to report details such as:

• Sales made to registered businesses

• Sales made to customers who do not have GST registration

• Sales value and GST rates

• Credit notes and debit notes

• Export sales and other required sales details

Your business customers may use the details reported in your GSTR-1 to check their purchase records and claim eligible ITC.

Due date: Generally, monthly filers need to file GSTR-1 by the 11th day of the next month. Eligible quarterly filers under the QRMP Scheme generally file it by the 13th day of the month after the quarter.

2. GSTR-3B – Summary Return and Tax Payment

GSTR-3B is a summary return. In this return, you report your sales, eligible ITC, GST payable, and tax payment details.

You should prepare this return carefully because it helps you work out how much GST you need to pay for the tax period.

For example, if your business collects GST from customers, you need to report the correct tax amount. You may also claim eligible ITC on business purchases after checking the GST rules.

Due date: Monthly filers generally need to file GSTR-3B by the 20th day of the next month. For eligible quarterly filers, the general due date is the 22nd or 24th day of the month after the quarter. The date depends on the State or Union Territory.

3. CMP-08 – Quarterly Statement for Composition Taxpayers

Small businesses that choose the Composition Scheme do not follow the regular GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing process.

Instead, eligible composition taxpayers generally submit Form CMP-08 every quarter. This form shows the tax amount they need to pay for that quarter.

Due date: Generally, the 18th day of the month after the quarter.

4. GSTR-4 – Annual Return for Composition Taxpayers

Composition taxpayers also need to file an annual return in Form GSTR-4, as required under GST rules.

This return contains details of the business’s sales and other required information for the financial year.

Due date: Generally, 30 April after the end of the financial year.

5. GSTR-9 – Annual Return

GSTR-9 is an annual return that gives a summary of a taxpayer’s GST activities during a financial year.

However, not every small business needs to file this return. The government has given some taxpayers an exemption based on their yearly turnover and the rules that apply.

For example, taxpayers with aggregate turnover up to ₹2 crore have been exempted from filing GSTR-9 for financial years from 2024-25 onwards under the applicable notification.

In simple words, aggregate turnover means the total turnover of a business across India under the same PAN. Therefore, check the latest exemption before preparing your annual return.