Implementation of new GST Return formats was finalized in the 31st GST Council meeting and earlier it was decided to implement the same from April 2019 onward on a trial basis and from July 2019 onwards on a compulsory basis. However, New GST Return implementation could not be made in such a manner.
New GST Return Implementation
Ministry of Finance has shared a transitional plan for implementation of such new GST return formats in a phased manner vide press release dated 11th June 2019 which is as follows:
| Month | Phases of New GST Return format implementation |
| May, 2019 | A prototype of the offline tool of the new return format has been shared which looks the same as the proposed online portal. The new return will have 3 components-Main Return-Form GST RET-1 and Two annexures (GST ANX-1 and GST ANX-2) |
| July, 2019 | Uploading of the invoice using GST ANX-1 offline tool will start on trial basis. Users will be able to view and download inward supply of invoices using GST ANX-2 offline tool. Summary of Inward supply will also be available for view on online portal |
| August, 2019 | Facility to import purchase register in offline tool and matching of same with downloaded inward supply invoices will also be available to trace mismatches. |
| July-September, 2019 | New GST return format in ANX-1 and ANX-2 will be available on trial basis. Such trail will have no impact on tax liability and tax credit of taxpayers.Taxpayer will be continue to file GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 in similar way. |
| October-December, 2019 | Large Taxpayers: 1. GST ANX-1 shall be made compulsory from October, 2019. 2. GSTR-1 will get replaced by GST ANX-1 3. Large Taxpayers* will file GST ANX-1 on monthly basis compulsorily from October, 2019. 4. Large Taxpayer will continue to file their GSTR-3B on monthly basis for the month of October and November, 2019. 5. GST RET-01 of large taxpayers will become compulsory from December, 2019. It should be filed by its due date of 20th January, 2020 Small Taxpayers: 1. Small Taxpayers** will file GST ANX-1 on quarterly basis for the quarter of October-December 2019 by the due date which fall in January, 2020. 2. Small taxpayer will stop filing FORM GSTR-3B from October, 2019. Instead they will start filing GST PMT-8 from October, 2019. 3. GST RET-01 for the quarter of October-December, 2019 will be filed by due date of 20th January, 2020. Common Points: 1. Invoices can be uploaded in GST ANX-1 on continuous basis by both small and large taxpayers. 2. GST ANX-2 can be viewed from October, 2019 onwards. However, action on same will not be allowed |
| January, 2020 | All Taxpayers will be required to file GST RET-01.GSTR-3B will be completely phased out. |
Transition plan can be understand with the help of below chart.
Want to know more about new GST return formats, read our post GST Returns | Normal | Sahaj | Sugam | All about New GST Returns
*Large Taxpayers– those taxpayers whose aggregate annual turnover in the previous financial year was more than Rs. 5 Crore
**Small Taxpayers- those taxpayers whose aggregate annual turnover in the previous financial year was upto Rs. 5 Crore
