GSTR 3B

The implementation of the GST regime has successfully eliminated the cascading taxation effect and has simplified the overall process. Since its introduction, several GST returns forms have been introduced catering to specific purposes. GSTR-3B is one of such vital return form.

To benefit under the same and to avoid related consequences, taxpayers must find out more about how to file GSTR 3B and other vital aspects.

What is GSTR 3B?

GSTR-3B is fundamentally a monthly self-declaration filed by a registered dealer in addition to GSTR 1 and GSTR 2 forms. It is a collected summary of inward and outward supplies that was introduced by the Government of India to provide relaxation to businesses that transitioned to the GST regime.

In other words, it is a simplified method that helps to declare the summary of GST liabilities for a given tax period. It must be noted that one cannot amend GSTR-3B and dealers must file separate GSTR-3B for each of their GSTIN. They must make it a point to pay the GSTR-3B’s tax liability by the last date of filing GSTR-3B for the same month.

All GST registrants must file GST return 3B including ‘NIL’ returns. Nonetheless, a few registrants do not need to file this self-declaration. They are –

• Suppliers of OIDAR
• Non-resident taxable individuals
• Input service distributors and composition dealers
• Small taxpayers
• Non-resident taxable individuals

When to File GSTR 3B?

The form GSTR-3B is filed monthly, and the due date for its submission is the 20th day of the following month. For instance, the GSTR 3B due date for November 2019 was 20th December 2019.

Taxpayers must also be familiar with these following –

• Delay in filing GSTR-3B attracts an interest of 18% per annum, to be paid on the due tax amount.
• They are also required to pay Rs.50 per day of delay as late fine.
• They must pay taxes and file GSTR-3B each month even if they file GSTR-1 on a quarterly basis.
• If they manage to pay taxes within the due date but file GSTR-3B post-deadline they will be subject to both interest and late fees.

Notably, the late fee amount depends on the number of days taxpayers delay payment. Taxpayers with nil tax liability for a month have to pay Rs.20 per day of delay as a late fee.

How to File Form GSTR-3B? 

Taxpayers can file GSTR-3B either online or offline. Conversely, they can download the form available online and then proceed to upload the duly filed GSTR returns 3B.

By following these steps, taxpayers can file this GSTR easily on GST portal –

Step 1 – Login to GST’s official portal.

Step 2 – Navigate to the ‘Services’ tab.

Step 3 – Click on ‘Returns’.

Step 4 – Click on ‘Returns Dashboard’.

Step 5 – On being directed to the ‘File Returns’ page, select the ‘Financial year’ from the drop-down menu.

Step 6 – Select the applicable ‘Return Filing Period’ and click the ‘Search’ button.

Step 8 – Navigate to option marked GSTR 3B monthly returns.

Step 9 – Click on the button – ‘Prepare Online’ and enter the required details.

Step 10 – Click on the ‘NEXT’ button.

To file ‘NIL’ returns, individuals need to select ‘Yes’ in the very first question and continue with remaining ones.

Step 11 – Enter applicable values in displayed tiles. Fill in the interest and late fees if applicable.

To make required modifications in each tile, individuals can click on either the ‘ADD’ or ‘Delete’ option.

Step 12 – Click the ‘Confirm’ button once.

Step 13 – Click on the ‘SAVE GSTR 3-B’ button.

Step 14 – Click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button after verifying and confirming all the entered details. One can look up the status of this GSTR on the top right corner of the page.

Step 15 – To view the draft GSTR-3B return click on ‘Preview Draft GSTR-3B’.

Once the return is submitted successfully, the ‘Payment of Tax’ tile will be enabled. Taxpayers can click on the ‘Check Balance’ button to view the cash and credit balance.

Step 16 – From the drop-down, choose option ‘Authorised Signatory’.

Step 17 – Click on ‘FILE GSTR-3B WITH DSC/ FILE GSTR-3B WITH EVC’ option.

Step 18 – Click on the ‘Proceed’ button.

After following these steps accurately, a message notifying the successful filling of the form will be displayed on the screen. Proceed to click ‘ok’. Subsequently, the status will change to ‘Filed’.

Individuals can click on the ‘View GSTR-3B’ button to check return details.

What are the Details Featured in GSTR 3B?

This form comprises 6 tables and requires taxpayers to provide specific information. This table focuses on the details featured in GSTR 3B –

Late Fee & Penalty

A late fee is levied for filing GSTR-3B, after the due date. It is charged as mentioned here-

• Rs. 50/day of delay
• Rs. 20/day of delay for those taxpayers who have nil liability of tax for the month

If the GST dues aren't paid within the stipulated due date, interest @ 18% pa is liable to be paid on the outstanding amount of tax required to be paid.

What is the Relationship between GSTR 2A and GSTR 3B?

GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A must be reconciled. The reasons for it are given below in pointers –

• Through such reconciliation, room for claiming ITC based on fake invoices is eliminated.
• It gets rid of errors like recording an invoice more than once or missing its details entirely.
• One can quickly identify and rectify details provided in either GSTR-1 or GSTR-3B.
• In case outward supplies were not recorded in GSTR-1, it can be communicated to the concerned supplier to avoid discrepancy.
• Input Tax Credit reconciliation as per GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A is required to file an annual return in GSTR-9.

Nonetheless, there are cases of non-reconciliation of GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A. The same can be due to any of these following reasons –

• Input Tax Credit claim was for Integrated Goods and Services Tax on imported goods or services.
• Input Tax Credit claim was in the fiscal year in which goods or services were received.
• Transitional credit claim was under TRAN-I and II.
• ITC was availed on the paid GST amount on RCM basis.

The primary reason behind non-reconciliation is because a corresponding GSTR-1 was not filed or Input Tax Credit remains unclaimed in the meantime. Notably, if any discrepancy related to the claim of ITC is noticed in GSTR 2A and GSTR 3B taxpayers have to pay the wrongly claimed amount along with interest.

The best way to avoid discrepancy in these details of both GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A is to provide accurate information and eliminate all possible errors before submitting them.