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Home > GST > Help Center > GSTR 3B ExplainedLast Updated: Nov 11th 2024

GSTR 3B Explained

The GSTR-3B is a monthly/quarterly GST return for finalizing Inward (Purchases) and Outward Supplies (Sales) is explained in depth, including components, due dates, interest, and FAQs.



GSTR 3B Explained

This document covers

  1. Key Components
  2. Who is not required to File?
  3. Due Dates
  4. Penalty for Late Filing
  5. Interest on delayed payment
  6. Quick GSTR 3B FAQs

1. Key Components of GSTR 3B Return

GSTR-3B is a summary return that is simplified. All taxpayers who have registered under the GST regular scheme are required to file GSTR-3B. Every taxable individual who has registered is required to submit GSTR-3B on a monthly / quarterly basis.

It includes the specifics of all inward and outward supplies of products and services. GSTIN will identify the availability of your input tax credit or the amount of tax due after reviewing the information provided.

2. Persons not required to file GSTR 3B

  • Non Resident Taxable Person
  • Suppliers of OIDAR
  • Input Service Distributors
  • Composition Dealers

3. Due date of Filing GSTR 3B

When a taxable person has registered for GST, the default freuqnecy to file GSTR-3B would be monthly.

3a. Monthly

Every registered taxable person should furnish GSTR 3B on or before 20th day of following month. For example, GSTR 3B for the month of January 2024 is required to be filed on or before 20th February.

3b. Quarterly

At the same time, GST registrants are permitted to switch from the monthly GST filing process to the quarterly GST filing process provided that they satisfy specific criteria. Typically, individuals may elect for a switch to the Quarterly GST Filing scheme if their annual aggregate turnover (AATO) in the current and preceding fiscal years (if applicable) is less than or equal to Rs. 5 Crores.

For more information, refer Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) Scheme in GST

If you are under QRMP scheme (Quarterly filing), your due date for GSTR-3B would be either 22nd (for South India) or 24th (for North India) of the following month after the quarter end. For a comprehensive, latest due dates, refer EZTax Tax Calendar.



4. Penalty for Late Filing of GSTR-3B

If the registered person does not file the returns within due date, the Government will levy late fees on the taxpayer.

  • If the taxpayer has invoices - Rs 50 per each day of delay (Rs 25 under CGST act and Rs 25 under SGST act)
  • If the taxpayer does not have invoices - Rs 20 per each day of delay (Rs 10 under CGST act and Rs 10 under SGST act)
Note : As of June 2020, the highest penalty per return for NIL return is fixed at Rs. 500. For returns made before June 2020, a maximum penalty of Rs. 10,000 is imposed.

Starting from Jun 2020, if you have sales during the return period, the utmost penalty per return is as follows:
  • Turnover up to Rs 1.5 Crores — Rs 2000 per return
  • Turnover between Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 5 Crores — Rs 5000 per return
  • Turnover above Rs 5 Crores — Rs 10,000 per return
Get help using automatedGST Late Fee & Interest Calculator

5. Interest on delayed payment of tax

Every person who is registered under GST should pay interest in the following circumstances.

  • Delay in payment of tax i.e. pays GST after the due date.
  • Undue or excess claim of Input tax credit.
  • Undue or excess reduction of output tax liability

The rate of interest notified by the government are as follows

ScenarioInterest Per Annum
Delay in Payment of Tax18%
Excess ITC claimed or excess reduction in Output Tax28%

Important Points:
  1. The taxpayer can mention only consolidated values for each field in GSTR 3B. Invoice level detailed information not required in GSTR 3B.
  2. The Taxpayer need to file the regular returns in GSTR-1, GSTR2 and GSTR-3.
  3. GSTR-3B return once filed cannot be revised.
  4. A Taxpayer must file a separate GSTR-3B for each GSTIN.
  5. The Regular taxpayer can make Interstate sales as well as local sales also, and they can collect GST from their customers.

GST Filing Services from EZTax

6. Quick GSTR 3B FAQs

1.Who should file the GSTR-3B ?

Every person who is registered for GST as a regular taxpayer must file GSTR-3B return every month

2.How will I pay GST ?

All taxes will be paid online and there will be no manual payment of taxes. Post generation of challan online, you can pay GST by one of the following modes - Debit card, Internet Banking or cheque at any Bank branch.

3.Do the Taxpayer need to provide the Invoice level details on GSTR-3B ?

No, all the details in GSTR-3B will be self-declared in summary manner. Invoice wise breakup details are not required.

4.A Taxpayer don't have any Sales & Purchase Bills in a month. Does the taxpayer required to file GSTR-3B ?

Yes, GSTR-3B has to be filed by every registered person even if there are no transactions in a month.

5.A Taxpayer already filed GSTR-3B, but now he wants to make some modifications. Can the taxpayer file an amendment ?

GSTR-3B once filed cannot be revised. Adjustments, if any, has to be done subsequently when you file GSTR-1, 2 & 3 for the same tax period.

6.What happens if a taxpayer has filed the return and intends to discharge the tax liability later ?

The return will be treated as invalid return and the taxpayer has to file the part B of GSTR 3B again.

7.What are the modes of discharging tax liability before filing GSTR 3B ?

Tax liability can be discharged by utilizing credit available in electronic credit ledger and electronic cash ledger.

Get to know more  GSTR-3B Filing Price

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Disclaimer: This article provides an overview and general guidance, not exhaustive for brevity. Please refer Income Tax Act, GST Act, Companies Act and other tax compliance acts, Rules, and Notifications for details.