GST Annual Return Deadline: BCAS Seeks 3-Month Extension For GSTR-9, GSTR-9C Filing For Taxpayers

GST Annual Return Deadline: As the deadline to file Goods and Services Tax (GST) annual return for the financial year 2024-25 is approaching, the Bombay Chartered Accountants' Society (BCAS) has requested an extension for the filing of FORM GSTR-9 and FORM GSTR-9C.

A three-month extension of the due date to file form GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for all the taxpayers and professionals would let them absorb the procedural changes, ensure data accuracy and fulfil the compliance obligations correctly, stated BCAS in a letter (dated December 11) submitted to GST Council.

Extension of GST Filing Deadline

The deadline to file GSTR-9 and GSTR 9-C is scheduled to be 31 December 2025, according to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) website. BCAS has proposed at least a three-month extension to the GST annual return using GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C forms for FY25.

"In light of the substantial and complex amendments detailed above, and on behalf of the members of the Bombay Chartered Accountants Society and the wider taxpayer community, we formally and respectfully request a general extension for the filing of FORM GSTR-9 and FORM GSTR-9C for the Financial Year 2024-25," stated BCAS in its letter.

GST Annual Return Deadline Extension: What Is The Need?

The GST annual return deadline extension would allow taxpayers and other professionals to absorb the key changes introduced over the past few months. It will also let them to file GST annual return with accuracy and fulfill compliance obligations correctly.

"We propose an extension of the due date by at least three months for all taxpayers. Such an extension is crucial to allow taxpayers and professionals sufficient time to absorb these significant procedural changes, ensure data accuracy, undertake necessary system upgrades, and fulfil their compliance obligations correctly. Granting this request will foster a more accurate, less error-prone filing season, which is in the best interest of both the government and the taxpayers," the letter further stated.

The organisation said many chartered accountants, consultants and taxpayers are already struggling with practical and technical issues for FY 2024-25, and that the current deadline leaves little realistic breathing space to implement the amended compliance structure.

The revision in GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C annual return formats has significantly increased the compliance time sharply. With the revision in format, taxpayers and professionals now require more time to collect, classify and reconcile data at a more granular level, highlighted BCAS in its letter. This means extensive manual checks, revised workbooks and intensive coordination between finance, IT and compliance functions.

With this redesign of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C annual return structures, BCAS believes the chance of inadvertent mistakes has risen. New reconciliation formulas, nuanced definitions and cross-linked tables increase the risk that even careful taxpayers may misapply rules. BCAS highlighted examples where errors could wrongly alter tax liability and trigger investigations despite taxpayers acting in good faith.

What is GSTR-9 Annual Return?

Taxpayers who are regiustered under GST are required to file GSTR-9 annual return for every financial year. The annual return form requires sharing of information related to outward and inward supplies made during the FY under review. Taxpayers and professionals are required to share information of supplies and transactions under different tax heads like CGST, SGST, IGST, etc.

"Form GSTR-9 is an annual return to be filed once for each financial year, by the registered taxpayers who were regular taxpayers, including SEZ units and SEZ developers. The taxpayers are required to furnish details of purchases, sales, input tax credit or refund claimed or demand created etc. in this return," as per the GST portal.

How GSTR 9 Differs From GSTR 9-C?

Every person registered as a normal taxpayer is required to file GSTR-9; however certain class of taxpayers are exempted from the process. As per the GST portal, the GSTR-9C form is mandatory for a registered person whose aggregate turnover is above a certain threshold during the financial year.