While filing your GST returns, GSTR-1 is one of the most important forms because the information you file under GSTR 1 is used as a base for all other forms. In GSTR-1, proprietors or suppliers submit the accounts of the outward supply of goods. This is done on a monthly or, at times, quarterly basis. GSTR 1 essentially implies that an individual directly involved in the transportation of supplies will need to specify the details pertaining to the supply and that of the recipient.
Every registered dealer needs to undertake the GSTR 1 filing process. The same is mandatory and is independent of the transactions that happened that month. It means that even if there are no sales or transactions, you have to undertake the GSTR-1 filing process if you are a registered dealer. However, the below-mentioned individuals/entities are exempt from filing GSTR 1.
Input Service Distributor (ISD): If one’s commercial establishment receives invoices for services used by their branches, they almost instantaneously fall in the category of an input service distributor under GST.
Composition Dealer: With effect from April 01, 2019, the businesses that have an annual turnover of up to ₹1.5 Crores can opt for the composition scheme. Such businesses are exempt from filing GSTR 1.
A supplier of online information, database access, or retrieval services does not need to go through the GSTR-1 filing.
Non-Resident Taxable Person: If you fall in the category of non-resident taxable persons, you are also exempt from filing GSTR 1 on behalf of your business.
A taxpayer liable for collecting tax at source (TCS) or a taxpayer liable for deducting tax at source (TDS) is exempt from this.
It is indeed important to remember that, like all other tax filing forms, GSTR-1 has a due date by which it needs to be filed. To meet this GSTR 1 due date and avoid any form of late fees, one needs to complete the GSTR 1 filing process by the 10th of the next month. However, this is only applicable to businesses with a turnover of more than ₹1.5 Crores. If a business has a turnover of less than ₹1.5 Crores, the GSTR-1 can be filed on a quarterly basis.
GSTR-1 Return Filing Frequency |
Due Date |
Monthly GSTR-1 |
11th of subsequent month |
Quarterly GSTR-1 |
Last date of the month that succeeds the quarter |
If the concerned entity fails to complete the GSTR-1 filing process before the due date, they must pay the penalty. As of now, the applicable late fees are either ₹50 or ₹20 and are charged on a daily basis until the filing is done. More on this ahead.
The GSTR-1 form contains 13 tables where the supplier needs to fill in the details of all the outward supplies of goods in a given month. Not all tables are necessarily applicable for every supplier; the supplier needs to fill only those tables that are relevant to the nature of the business and the nature of supplies.
Tables |
Description |
Table 1, 2, and 3 |
GSTIN, legal, and trade names and the total turnover in the previous year. |
Table 4 |
Total taxable outward supplies to registered dealers, excluding deemed exports and zero-rated supplies. |
Table 5 |
Total taxable inter-state supplies to unregistered dealers, where the value of the invoice is less than ₹2.5 Lakhs. |
Table 6 |
All zero-rated supplies and deemed exports. |
Table 7 |
Total taxable supplies to unregistered dealers, except the ones already covered in table 5. |
Table 8 |
Nil rated, exempted, and non-GST outward supplies. |
Table 9 |
Any amendments to the outward supplies that are taxable in nature and reported in table 4, table 5, or table 6 of the previous tax period’s GSTR-1 return. |
Table 10 |
Debit notes and credit notes issued to unregistered dealers. |
Table 11 |
Advances received or adjusted in the current tax period or any amendments to the info reported in the previous tax period. |
Table 12 |
Summary of outward supplies based on HSN records. |
Table 13 |
Details of all the documents issued during the tax period such as invoices, debit notes, credit notes, etc. |
You need to furnish the following documents while filing GSTR-1:
A valid Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN)
A valid Digital Signature Certificate (not applicable if you wish to e-sign using Aadhaar)
Aadhaar number, if you are going to e-sign the form
You can easily file GSTR 1 on the GSTN portal. Just follow the below-mentioned steps in order to file your GSTR-1 on the GSTN portal:
Step1: Use the provided User ID and password to log in to the GSTN portal.
Step 2: Look for “Services”.
Step 3: Click on “Returns”.
Step 4: Select the month and year you want to file the return for on the ‘Returns Dashboard’.
Step 5: Once the returns for the specified period are displayed, click on ‘GSTR-1’.
Step 6: You can then prepare the returns online or upload the returns.
Step 7: You can choose to add invoices or upload the invoices.
Step 8: Double-check the form to ensure it is filled correctly with accurate details.
Step 9: Click on ‘Submit’.
Step 10: Once the entered information has been validated, click on ‘File GSTR-1’.
Step 11: Digitally sign the form or E-sign it.
Step 12: Click on ‘Yes’ once a pop-up is displayed on your screen to confirm your decision to file GSTR-1. Wait for an Acknowledgement Reference Number (ARN) to be generated.
The GSTR-1 filing status can easily be checked on the GSTN portal by following the steps mentioned below:
Step 1: Log in to the GSTN portal using your credentials.
Step 2: Hover your cursor over the “Services” menu and a dropdown menu will appear.
Step 3: Click on “Returns”.
Step 4: Now, select “Track Return Status”.
Step 5: Enter your ARN (Acknowledgement Reference Number) in the designated space and click on “Search”. You can also search using the “Return Filing Period”.
Step 6: Now, a table with all the details of your GSTR-1 returns will appear.
Step 7: You can see the status of your return in the “Status” column of the table. There are four possible statuses of your GSTR-1- “To Be Filed”, “Submitted But Not Filed”, “Filed-Valid”, and “Filed-Invalid”.
In case you are unable to file your GSTR-1 return by the due date, you will be liable to pay a late fee as per the following rate. An interest rate of 18% p.a. will also be levied on the outstanding tax amount.
GST Liability |
Late Fee |
In case of zero GST liability |
₹20 per day |
In all other cases |
₹50 per day |
You can file GSTR 1 either monthly or on a quarterly basis. However, if the turnover of your business in the preceding financial year was more than ₹1.5 Crores, you have to file GSTR-1 every month.
The turnover limit for GSTR-1 is ₹1.5 Crores. Businesses with a turnover exceeding ₹1.5 Crores have to file GSTR-1 every month. However, businesses with a turnover of up to ₹1.5 Crores, can file GSTR-1 on a quarterly basis.
If you have opted for the composition scheme, you are exempted from filing GSTR-1.
You are not required to make a GST payment after filing GSTR 1. However, you have to make the GST payment after filing GSTR-3B.
The “Total Invoice Value” column in Form GSTR 1 indicates the total value of the invoice inclusive of the applicable taxes.
While the supplier has to mention the details of the shipping invoice, the shipping bill number is not mandatory while declaring export invoices in Form GSTR 1.