Who Is Required to File GST Annual Return?
GST Annual Return requirements apply to eligible registered taxpayers for the relevant financial year, subject to the exemptions and provisions notified by the Government.
Taxpayers Generally Required to File
For financial years covered by the current provisions, registered taxpayers whose aggregate turnover exceeds the applicable exemption threshold are generally required to furnish the annual return in Form GSTR-9, subject to the specific exclusions under the GST law.
- Regular taxpayers registered under GST
- Businesses whose aggregate turnover exceeds the applicable annual-return exemption threshold
- Eligible taxpayers required to report their annual GST position for the relevant financial year
Taxpayers Generally Not Required to File Annual Return
Certain categories are excluded from the annual return requirement under the GST law. In addition, the Government may exempt specified classes of registered persons from filing the annual return.
For FY 2024-25 onwards, registered persons whose aggregate turnover in the financial year is up to ₹2 crore are exempt from filing the annual return under Notification No. 15/2025-Central Tax.
- Registered persons with aggregate turnover up to ₹2 crore for the relevant financial year, subject to the applicable notification
- Input Service Distributors (ISD)
- Persons paying tax under Section 51, such as specified TDS deductors
- Persons paying tax under Section 52, such as specified TCS-collecting e-commerce operators, in respect of the annual return requirement under Section 44
- Casual taxable persons
- Non-resident taxable persons
What About Composition Taxpayers?
Composition taxpayers need to be considered separately because their annual return requirements can differ from those of regular taxpayers. The applicable requirement should be checked for the relevant financial year, including any exemption notified for that year.
Who Needs GSTR-9C?
GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement applicable to specified taxpayers based on the turnover threshold and other requirements applicable for the relevant financial year.
Where GSTR-9C is applicable, the taxpayer must complete the prescribed reconciliation requirements in addition to the applicable annual return process. The exact applicability and requirements should be verified for the relevant financial year.