GST has rolled out and paved the way for a uniform and systematic reporting system that is seldom found anywhere else. This transaction-wise, destination-based reporting system provides for a much effective credit flow, removes chances of corruption and illegal transactions.To achieve this, the government has come up with an effective form-based reporting system that needs to be filed either monthly, quarterly or yearly, as the case may be, by the dealers and manufacturers. The aggregation of information uploaded by all the dealers will lead to a common reservoir of data, which can be accessed by either. Moreover, dealers can view their credit statement or payables with respect to GST easily in a common internet portal.What Is GSTR-1?It all starts with GSTR-1. It is where the suppliers will report their outward supplies during the reporting month. As such, all registered taxable persons are required to file GSTR-1 by the 10th of the following month. It is the first or the starting point for passing input tax credits to the dealers.Who needs to file GSTR-1?GSTR-1 has to be filed by u201callu201d taxable registered persons under GST. However, there are certain dealers who are not required to file GSTR-1, instead, are required to file other different GST returns as the case may be. These dealers are E-Commerce Operators, Input Service Distributors, dealers registered under the Composition Scheme, Non-Resident dealers and Tax deductors. It has to be filed even in cases where there is no business conducted during the reporting month.How to file GSTR-1 In few steps.What needs to be filled in GSTR-1?GSTR-1 has 13 different heads that need to be filled in. The major ones are enlisted here:GSTIN of the taxable person filing the return u2023 Auto-populated resultName of the taxable person u2023 Auto-populated fieldTotal Turnover in Last Financial Year u2023 This is a one-time action and has to be filled once. This field will be auto-populated with the closing balance of the last yearThe Period for which the return is being filed u2023 Month & Year is available as a drop down for selectionDetails of Taxable outward supplies made to registered persons u2023 CGST and SGST shall be filled in case of intra-state movement whereas IGST shall be filled only in the case of inter-state movement. Details of exempted sales or sales at nil rate of tax shall also be mentioned hereDetails of Outward Supplies made to end customer, where the value exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakhs u2023 Other than mentioned, all such supplies are optional in natureThe total of all outward supplies made to end consumers, where the value does not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakhs.Details of Debit Notes or Credit NotesAmendments to outward supplies of previous periods u2023 Apart from these two, any changes made to a GST invoice has to be mentioned in this sectionExempted, Nil-Rated and Non-GST Supplies u2023 If nothing was mentioned in the above sections, then complete details of such supplies have to be declared.Details of Export Sales made u2023 In addition to the sales figures, HSN codes of the goods supplied have to be mentioned as well.Tax Liability arising out of advance receiptsTax Paid during the reporting period u2023 it can also include taxes paid for earlier periods.The form has to be digitally signed in case of a Company or an LLP, whereas in the case of a proprietorship concern, the same can be signed physically.How shall I file GSTR-1?After going through the checklist, suppliers need to log in to the GSTN portal with the given User ID and password, follow these steps to file their returns successfully.Search for u201cServicesu201d and then click on Returns, followed by Returns Dashboard.In the dashboard, the dealer has to enter the financial year and the month for which the return needs to be filed. Click on Search after that.All returns relating to this period will be displayed on the screen in a tiled manner.Dealer has to select the tile containing GSTR-1After this, he will have the option either to prepare online or to upload the return.The dealer will now Add invoices or upload all invoices directlyOnce the entire form is filled up, the dealer shall then click on Submit and validate the data filled upWith the data validated, dealer will now click on FILE GSTR-1 and proceed to either E-Sign or digitally sign the formAnother confirmation pop-up will be displayed on the screen with a yes or no option to file the return.Once yes is selected, an Acknowledgement Reference Number (ARN) is generated.How To File GSTR-1 Online?Apart from filing GSTR-1 directly on GSTN portal, you can use third party softwares which are simpler to use. Most of these software accept data from your existing accounting software and help you upload it to GSTN portal. Almost all the GSPs have come up with their return filing solution.If you want to avoid multiple steps and hassle of using lot of softwares, try ProfitBooks today. Its an easy to use accounting software with super fast GST return filing. Its designed for business owners who do not have any accounting background.You can read the entire article here http://www.profitbooks.net/gstr-1-return-filing/.
