GST Return Due Dates India 2026

If you are an entrepreneur, freelancer or a practicing tax professional, it’s crucial to understand GST Compliances and due dates to avoid hefty penalties and interest. If you don’t want to increase your financial burden unnecessarily, you must regularly comply with GST provisions and rules with accurate recordkeeping. This helps your business to ensure transparency, builds credibility and enhance customer satisfaction in the long run.

In this article, we shall uncover the GST return Due dates along with its resulting interest and penalties in case of non -compliance. Let’s breakdown the GST Returns along with its due dates that helps you stay compliant, avoid disruptions, and focus on growing your business with confidence.

Table of Contents

Importance of GST Compliances

Timely GST Compliances let you avoid penalties, late fees, and interest
GST Compliances ensures smooth cash flow management
Accurate GST Compliances let you build credibility with clients and vendors
Proper GST Compliances reduce risk of GST notices and audits
GST Compliances Enables accurate financial record-keeping and let you claim input tax credit seamlessly
GST compliances foster long-term business sustainability

Key GST Return Due Dates and their applicability

The table below highlights the short summary of the GST return and their due dates along with its applicability.

GST Return	Due Dates	Applicable To
GSTR-1	11th of next month	Outward supplies
GSTR-3B	20th of next month	Summarised return for tax payment and liabilities
GSTR-4	30th April (annual return)	Composition scheme
GSTR-5	20th of next month	Non-resident taxable persons
GSTR-5A	20^th of next month	OIDAR Services
GSTR-6	13th of next month	Input Service Distributors (ISD)
GSTR-7	10th of next month	Entities who deduct TDS
GSTR-8	10th of next month	E-commerce operators who deduct TCS
GSTR-9	31st December of next Financial Year	Regular taxpayers to be filed as Annual return
GSTR-9C	31st December of next Financial Year	Taxpayers requiring audit
GSTR- 10	Within 3 months post-cancellation	Final return

Penalties, Late Fees and Interest for missed due dates

The above table glanced at the due dates of various GST returns and let’s discuss further the penalties late fees and Interest applicable when you miss a due date and same are classified on the basis of forms.

GST Form	Type of Default	Late Fee / Penalty (Regular Return)	Late Fee for Nil Return	Interest
GSTR-1	Late filing	₹50 per day	₹20 per day	Not applicable
GSTR-3B	Late filing	₹50 per day maximum up to ₹10,000	₹20 per day	18% p.a. on tax payable
GSTR-4	Late filing	₹200 per day maximum up to ₹5,000	₹200 per day	18% p.a.
GSTR-5	Late filing	₹50 per day	Not applicable	18% p.a.
GSTR-6	Late filing	₹50 per day	Not applicable	Not applicable
GSTR-7	Late filing	₹200 per day	Not applicable	18% p.a.
GSTR-8	Late filing	₹200 per day	Not applicable	18% p.a.
GSTR-9	Late filing (Annual Return)	₹200 per day maximum up to 0.5% of turnover	₹200 per day	Not applicable
GSTR-9C	Non-filing / Incorrect filing	₹10,000 or as applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
GST Registration	Failure to register	10% of tax due or ₹10,000	Not applicable	18% p.a.
Fraud / Wilful Misstatement	Tax evasion	100% of tax amount	Not applicable	24% p.a.

Common Mistakes related to GST Compliances and how to avoid them

Forgetting GST return Due dates: – Make sure ton adhere to a quick compliance checklist to ensure that no deadline of GST return is missed.
Non-filing of Nil Returns: – Never ignore NIL Returns and file it prudently.
Ignoring GST Notices: – Never ignore any formal communication from GST department. Ignorance will lead to worsening of the case and increase financial burden eventually.
Claiming ineligible input tax credit: – Analyse your GST records and avoid claiming input tax credit for which you are not eligible.

Pro tips for compliances with GST return due dates

Plan well in advance and never wait till last date.
You can subscribe to GST Portal alerts
A monthly compliances checklist can be prepared and adhere thereto.
You can check status of Return filing frequently
You can Consult a GST Professional periodically

Conclusion

Understanding GST return Due dates well in advance is crucial for running a business in India. Proper record keeping, accurate reporting and timely filing of returns just not let you avoid hefty penalties and interest but also ensures long term sustainability of business. These GST return due dates should always be kept in mind and adherence thereto build trust with stakeholders, minimizes the risk of notices or audits, and allows you to focus on growth rather than regulatory challenges. You just need to be proactive and well informed to ensure compliances stress free.

How we can help you

We at My Legal Business LLP assist you with end-to-end GST return filing and provide you timely reminders for GST return Due dates. We accurately reconcile GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and eligible input tax credit and assist with GST notices and audits.

While you focus on growing your business, we handle GST compliances on your behalf. Contact us today to run your business stress free to ensure its long-term sustainability.