The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a notification for tax assessees who have not filed a GSTR-4 return from July 2017 to March 2022 within stipulated time. Tax assessess have until June 30, 2023 to file all the pending returns in Form GSTR-4. The GSTR-4 Amnesty Scheme aims to provide relief to taxpayers by reducing penalties for pending returns.
Simply put, the GSTR-4 Amnesty Scheme gives non-filers a chance to clear their pending returns and in turn avoid significant penalties.
What is the GSTR-4 return?
There are two types of GST registration for taxpayers in the country: regular registration and one under the Composition Scheme. While normal taxpayers need to file monthly returns, using Form GSTR-1, each month or quarter, those opting for the composition scheme are required to furnish only one return a year, using Form GSTR-4.
Who is required to file GSTR-4
Here’s a list of tax assessees who can use the GSTR-4 form:
- A non-resident taxable person
- A regular taxpayer who has not opted into a composition scheme for any period during the financial year
- An input service distributor
- A casual taxable person
- A person required to Deduct Tax at Source u/s 51
- A person required to Collect Tax at Source u/s 52
- A UIN holder
Here’s a step-by-step guide you can use to file your GSTR-4 return under the amnesty scheme:
GSTR-4 amnesty scheme: How to file
Step 1: Log on to the GST portal with the credentials.
Step 2: Click on the ‘services’ tab and go to ‘returns’.
Step 3: The concerned taxpayer must select ‘returns dashboard’.
Step 5: Click on ‘quarterly returns GSTR-4’ and select ‘prepare online’.
Step 6: Click on ‘next’.
Step 7: Now, click on ‘preview’ to view all the details submitted by you. It is recommended that you download a PDF copy of the same for future reference.
Step 8: Click on ‘proceed to file’ in order to compute the interest, late fee (If any) and total tax obligations.
Step 11: The taxpayer must file the return and simultaneously authenticate their identity, and can do it either through a digitally signed certificate (DSC) or an electronic verification code (EVC).
Step 12: A message will pop up on the screen with an acknowledgement reference number (ARN), which the user must note down. This message is a confirmation of the fact that the taxpayer has successfully completed the GSTR-4 online filing process. Subsequently, the status of the return will be changed to ‘filed’.
