Just one day left to file GST returns; snags leave traders confused

Traders across the country faced problems on Saturday as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) filing website stopped functioning for some time, a day ahead of the last date for filing GST returns.

"The GST site has been working intermittently since 12 noon. It is creating a lot of confusion among traders. Many of our clients have called up saying they can't file returns. If this continues the government might need to extend the last date of filing by another couple of days at least," Prateek Jain, chairman, Assocham Special Task Force on GST, said.

The last date for filing GSTR-3B form for July is August 20, which is a summary return of details of outward supplies, inward supplies, credit and payment of GST.

A notice on the GST site, however, stated: "The services will not be available from August 19, 2 pm to 2.45 pm. Do come back later."

The summary return for the month of August is to be filed by September 20.

Apart from GSTR 3B, three forms -- GSTR 1, GSTR 2 and GSTR 3 -- need to be filed every month. For the month of July, the three forms will have to be filed between September 1 and 5, September 6 and 10 and September 11 and 15, respectively.

Form GSTR 1 would reflect sales of a business, GSTR 2 would reflect purchases and GSTR 3 is a combination of sales and purchases.

For the month of August, the three forms will have to be filed between September 16-20, September 21-25 and September 26-30 respectively.

The date of filing returns for the month of July was earlier extended by the GST Council by a month.