May 31, 2025
By a Chartered Accountant | Powered by Startup2MNC
Filing GST returns and managing timely tax payments are not just compliance tasks — they are critical pillars of a well-governed business. With increasing scrutiny from tax authorities and automated compliance systems like GSTN and e-invoicing, even a small delay or mismatch can lead to penalties, blocked input tax credit (ITC), and notices that disrupt operations.
At Startup2MNC, we specialize in providing structured, reliable, and technology-driven GST return filing and tax payment support, ensuring your business meets all regulatory requirements without the stress.
In this blog, we break down the essentials of GST return filing, tax payment timelines, common pitfalls, and how professional support can simplify your compliance journey.
What Are GST Returns?
A GST return is a document containing details of a taxpayer’s sales, purchases, tax collected on sales (output tax), and tax paid on purchases (input tax). These returns must be filed periodically — monthly, quarterly, or annually — depending on the taxpayer category.
Filing GST returns is mandatory even if there is no transaction in a given period (Nil return).
Types of GST Returns & Their Due Dates
Return Type | Who Files | Purpose | Due Date |
GSTR-1 | Regular taxpayers | Details of outward supplies | 11th of the following month (monthly) or end of quarter (QRMP) |
GSTR-3B | Regular taxpayers | Summary return of outward and inward supplies, tax payment | 20th of following month (monthly) |
GSTR-4 | Composition taxpayers | Quarterly return | 30th April of next FY |
GSTR-9 | Annual return | Annual summary of all GST activities | 31st December of next FY |
GSTR-9C | Taxpayers with turnover > ₹5 Cr | Reconciliation statement (CA certified) | 31st December of next FY |
Note: Due dates may vary based on government notifications.
The GST Return Filing Process
Data Preparation
Collect outward supply data (sales invoices)
Reconcile purchase data with GSTR-2B
Match credit notes, debit notes, and advances
Return Generation
Generate returns using government utility or GST software
Validate outward and inward supply data
Tax Payment
Calculate net tax liability (after ITC adjustment)
Pay tax via GST PMT-06 challan
Filing & Acknowledgement
File returns using DSC or EVC
Receive ARN (Acknowledgment Reference Number)
What is GST Tax Payment Management?
This involves calculating your monthly GST liability and ensuring timely payment through the electronic cash/credit ledger in the GST portal. It includes:
Estimating net tax payable after adjusting eligible ITC
Creating challans (GST PMT-06)
Monitoring cash and credit balances
Preventing interest and late fees on short or delayed payments
Interest & Late Fee Triggers
Interest @18% p.a. for late tax payment
Late fee of ₹50/day (₹20/day for Nil returns)
Possible suspension or cancellation of GSTIN for chronic delays
Common Challenges Businesses Face
Data mismatch between books and GST portal
Delayed or incorrect GSTR-1 or GSTR-3B filing
Reconciliation errors leading to ITC loss
Manual errors in tax payment calculations
Ignoring annual compliance (GSTR-9/GSTR-9C)
Responding to department notices without professional help
How Startup2MNC Supports You
As experienced Chartered Accountants, we’ve designed a comprehensive return filing and tax management service tailored to your business model:
Our Services Include:
End-to-End GST Return Filing – GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-9 & more
Automated Reconciliation with GSTR-2B for accurate ITC
Smart Tax Planning – Accurate tax estimates to avoid overpayment
Timely GST Payment Management – Challan creation and tracking
Late Fee & Interest Minimization strategies
Notice & Error Handling – We take care of departmental queries
Real-Life Impact
Client: SaaS Startup in Bengaluru
Issue: Irregular GST filings and mismatched purchase data
Solution: Full compliance onboarding with Startup2MNC
Results:
100% timely return filing for 12 consecutive months
Saved ₹1.8 lakh in potential penalties
Identified ₹3.2 lakh of missed ITC through reconciliation
Monthly GST Compliance Calendar (For Regular Taxpayers)
Date | Task |
11th | GSTR-1 (Outward Supplies) |
20th | GSTR-3B (Summary Return + Payment) |
30th/31st (Year-End) | GSTR-9, GSTR-9C (Annual Returns) |
Final Thoughts
Proper GST return filing and tax management is not just a legal formality — it’s a strategic function that protects your business from financial risk and regulatory hurdles. With evolving tax technology and stricter enforcement, manual errors and delays are no longer affordable.
At Startup2MNC, we bring together the precision of Chartered Accountants and the efficiency of automation to give your business peace of mind. Whether you’re a startup, MSME, or large enterprise, we help you stay compliant, confident, and penalty-free.
Want Stress-Free GST Compliance?
Join 15,000+ businesses who trust Startup2MNC for professional GST support.
On-Time Return Filing | CA-Led Expertise | End-to-End Compliance
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