Deadline To File GST Returns Extended; Forms Simplified

The deadline to file forms GSTR 9 (annual return) and GSTR 9C (reconciliation statement) have been extended by the government to 31 December 2019 for the financial year 2017-18 and to 31 March 2020 for FY 2018-19.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs notified of the extension in due dates on Thursday. The earlier deadlines were set at 30 November for FY 2017-18 and 31 December for FY 2018-19.

It was also decided to simplify these forms by making some fields on them optional. The changes introduced in the forms will allow taxpayers to not provide a split of input tax credit availed on inputs, input services and capital goods, among other things.

CBIC said that the changes and the extension in deadline are hoped to help all GST taxpayers file their Annual Returns and Reconciliation Statements for these financial years in time.

Taxpayers had informed of various challenges faced by them in filing GST returns and GSTN, the organisation that handles the GST filing portal has been making changes accordingly.