The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs ( CBIC ) has extended the filing of GST Annual Returns ( GSTR-9 ) for the Financial Year 2019-2020 till February 28th, 2021.

Earlier, the due date was December 31. There have been demands to extend the date for two reasons: first, the pandemic, and second, the due date for annual returns for FY19-20 is December 31.

GSTR-9 is an annual return to be filed yearly by taxpayers registered under GST. It consists of details regarding the outward and inward supplies made/received during the relevant previous year under different tax heads i.e. CGST, SGST & IGST and HSN codes. Basically, it is a consolidation of all the monthly/quarterly returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-2A, GSTR-3B) filed in that year. Though complex, this return helps in extensive reconciliation of data for 100% transparent disclosures. The late fees for not filing the GSTR 9 within the due date is Rs 100 per day, per act. That means late fees of Rs 100 under CGST & Rs 100 under SGST will be applicable in case of delay. Thus, the total liability is Rs 200 per day of default. This is subject to a maximum of 0.25% of the taxpayer’s turnover in the relevant state or union territory. However, there is no late fee on IGST