GST Return Late Fees and Interest

Introduction

Timely filing of GST returns is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding financial penalties. When businesses fail to adhere to the prescribed deadlines for GST return filings, they may incur GST Return Late Fees and interest charges. Businesses can manage their compliance more effectively by understanding these charges and calculating them accurately.

What Are GST Return Late Fees?

The system imposes late fees as penalties when taxpayers fail to file GST returns by the due dates. It applies these fees on a per-day basis until the taxpayer files the return. Taxpayers must pay late fees in cash, as they cannot use Input Tax Credit (ITC) to cover these charges.

Late fees can also apply to “Zero Returns” – filings where there are no transactions or GST obligations to report but the return is still overdue.

Due Dates for GST Returns

Here’s a breakdown of the due dates for different types of taxpayers:

• General Citizens: 20th of the next month
• Composition Dealers: 18th of the next month or quarter
• Non-Resident Taxable Entities: 20th of the next month
• Input Service Distributors (ISD): 13th of the next month
• TDS Deductors: 10th of the next month
• TCS Collectors: 10th of the next month

GST Return Late Fees Calculation

The calculation of late fees varies based on the type of return:

Late Fee for GSTR 3B

• NIL Returns: Rs. 20 per day (Rs. 10 for CGST and Rs. 10 for SGST)
• All Other Returns: Rs. 50 per day (Rs. 25 for CGST and Rs. 25 for SGST)
• Maximum Penalty: Rs. 10,000 (Rs. 5,000 for CGST and Rs. 5,000 for SGST)

Note: Late fees for GSTR 3B of a month are payable in the next month’s return. Filing a month’s return is contingent upon the payment of the prior month’s GST late fees.

GSTR 1 Late Fee

• Late Fee: Rs. 200 per day (Rs. 100 for CGST and Rs. 100 for SGST)
• Current Status: The government currently does not accept late payments for GSTR-1.

Late Fees for GSTR-9 and GSTR-9A

• Late Fee: Rs. 200 per day (Rs. 100 for CGST and Rs. 100 for SGST)
• Limit: Up to 0.50% of turnover (0.25% for CGST and 0.25% for SGST)

Late Fees for GSTR-10

• Late Fee: Rs. 200 per day (Rs. 100 for CGST and Rs. 100 for SGST)
• No Upper Limit: Late fees must be paid for the return to be filed.

You may also want to know GSTN – Goods and Service Tax Network

Interest on Late Payment of GST

When taxpayers fail to pay the GST liability on time, they are required to pay interest on the delayed payment. Interest is calculated from the due date of the payment until the actual date of payment. Here’s how it works:

1. Standard Interest Rate:

The interest rate for delayed payment of GST is 18% per annum. This interest is calculated on the outstanding tax amount that remains unpaid after the due date.

For example, if a taxpayer has a pending tax liability of ₹10,000 and delays the payment by 30 days, the interest would be calculated as:
(₹10,000 × 18% × 30/365) = ₹147.95

2. Interest on Excess ITC Utilization:

If a taxpayer claims excess input tax credit (ITC) and utilizes it, they are liable to pay interest at 24% per annum on the excess amount used.

3. Interest Calculation:

Interest is calculated on a daily basis, and it continues to accrue until the tax is fully paid. This can significantly increase the tax burden for businesses that fail to settle their dues promptly.

Penalties for Missing the GST Due Date

Apart from late fees and interest, businesses that do not comply with GST filing regulations can face additional penalties. Here are some scenarios where penalties might be imposed in case of late filing of GST Return Late Fees and Interest:

1. Penalty for Not Filing GSTR-3B

If the taxpayer fails to file GSTR-3B by the due date, they must pay both the late fee and interest on the outstanding tax. Consistent non-compliance can lead to more severe actions, such as the cancellation of GST registration.

2. Penalty for Misreporting or Underreporting

If the tax authorities find discrepancies in tax reporting, such as underreporting of sales or claiming excessive ITC, the taxpayer may face penalties. The penalty for underreporting can range from 10% of the tax amount due (minimum of ₹10,000).

3. Penalty for Failure to Issue Invoice

Businesses must issue GST-compliant invoices to customers. Failing to do so can lead to penalties of up to ₹25,000 per offense.

4. Blocking of E-Way Bill Generation

Businesses that have not filed their returns for two consecutive tax periods may have their ability to generate e-way bills blocked. This restriction can disrupt the movement of goods and negatively impact business operations.

Rules for GST Payments

To ensure smooth compliance, businesses must follow certain rules for GST payments. Here are the key rules that businesses should keep in mind:

1. Payment Frequency:

Regular taxpayers must file and pay GST monthly (GSTR-3B) and quarterly (GSTR-1) based on their turnover. Small taxpayers with a turnover of up to ₹5 crores can opt for the Quarterly Return Filing and Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme, where they can file returns quarterly but pay tax monthly.

2. Online Payment Through GST Portal:

GST payments can be made online through the GST portal using net banking, credit or debit cards, UPI, or through authorized payment modes like NEFT/RTGS. Taxpayers must generate a challan on the portal and complete the payment to avoid delays.

3. Use of Electronic Cash Ledger:

The GST portal maintains an electronic cash ledger for each taxpayer. Payments made towards GST are credited to this ledger, and taxpayers can utilize this balance to settle their tax liabilities.

4. Input Tax Credit (ITC) Utilization:

Taxpayers can use the input tax credit (ITC) available in their electronic credit ledger to pay off their GST liability. However, certain rules govern how ITC can be utilized. For example, IGST credit must first be used to offset IGST liability, then CGST and SGST in that order.

5. Timely Filing to Avoid Penalties:

It is crucial to file GST returns on time to avoid late fees, interest, and penalties. The due date for filing GSTR-3B is the 20th of the following month, while GSTR-1 can be filed either monthly or quarterly, depending on the scheme chosen.

6. Provisional Assessment:

If a business faces difficulties in determining the tax amount, they can request provisional assessment by submitting an application to the GST officer. This allows them to continue business operations without interruption while settling the correct tax at a later date.

7. Record Keeping and Reconciliation:

Businesses must maintain proper records of all sales, purchases, and tax payments to ensure smooth reconciliation during tax filing. Regular reconciliation helps identify discrepancies early and reduces the risk of penalties.

8. Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM):

Under the reverse charge mechanism, the recipient of goods or services is liable to pay GST instead of the supplier. Businesses must ensure that they account for RCM in their tax filings correctly to avoid compliance issues.

Conclusion

Adhering to GST return deadlines is essential for avoiding late fees and interest charges. Ensuring timely filing and accurate payment can prevent unnecessary financial strain and ensure compliance with GST regulations.

Understanding the implications of late fees, interest charges, and penalties for non-compliance is vital for businesses operating under the GST regime. Following the rules for GST payments, filing returns promptly, and keeping accurate records can help businesses avoid unnecessary charges and ensure smooth operations.