The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBIC) has extended the deadline to file monthly GST return using GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B form, both by 2 days each.
The deadline for those who are filing monthly GSTR-1 return is now January 13, 2025. For those taxpayers who are filing GSTR-1 on a quarterly basis the new deadline is January 15, 2025.
The deadline to file GSTR-3B has also been extended to January 22, 2025 for monthly GSTR-3B filers. However, for quarterly GSTR-3B filers there are now two deadlines based on the location of the taxpayer. For some states the new deadline is January 24, 2025 and for some states its January 26, 2025.
CBIC said on X (formerly Twitter) on January 10, 2025, “In order to benefit taxpayers, who could not file their returns in time due to technical glitches, the time limit for filing of FORM GSTR-1 of the tax period December 2024, has been extended till 13.01.2025. Further, the time limit for filing of FORM GSTR-1 of the tax period October 2024 to December 2024,for the taxpayers who have opted to pay tax under QRMP Scheme, has been extended till 15.01.2025.”
GSTR-1 deadline was extended due to technical issues with the portal
According to Chartered Accountant Himank Singla, partner, SBHS & Associates, “Finally, some relief! The CBIC has extended the deadlines for filing GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 by two days each for January, thanks to the frustrating technical glitches that left many of us unable to file on time. It’s been a tough couple of days for taxpayers, with the GST portal being down right when we needed it the most. This extension gives us all a bit of breathing room to get our filings in without the added stress of penalties.”
GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B are interlinked hence the reason why both the deadlines are extended
GSTR-1 return is filed by suppliers and based on this data buyers GSTR-2B is auto populated. The buyers then reconcile the data with their purchases and files GSTR-3B to claim input tax credit (ITC). Hence the reason why both the deadlines had to be extended.
According to Chartered Accountant Hrishikesh Arun Wandrekar
Partner, Wandrekar and Company, “The details of outward supplies made by a seller are reported in GSTR1. The recipient of the supply can use the details filed by the supplier in the GSTR1 to claim input tax credit (ITC) of the GST reflected therein and use that ITC to compute the tax liability to be paid along with its GSTR3B.”
CBIC said on X on January 10, 2025, “The time limit for filing of FORM GSTR-3B of the tax period December 2024, has been extended till 22.01.2025. Time limit for filing of FORM GSTR-3B of the tax period October 2024 to December 2024,for the taxpayers who have opted to pay tax under QRMP Scheme, has been extended till 24.01.2025/ 26.01.2025, based on the states where they are registered.”
Chartered Accountant Hunny Munjal says, “Delays in filing GSTR-1 can create a significant ripple effect throughout the GST compliance framework. GSTR-1 serves as the foundation for generating GSTR-2B, a critical document that allows buyers to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC). Under Section 16 of the CGST Act, 2017, ITC claims are contingent upon the matching of purchase data with the information available in GSTR-2B.Munjal says, “GSTR-2B, an auto-populated statement, is generated based on the outward supply details uploaded by suppliers in their GSTR-1. The GSTN system consolidates this data and makes it available to recipients on the 14th of every month. Recipients then reconcile this data with their purchase records to claim ITC in their GSTR-3B returns, which are typically due by the 20th. This process provides a crucial six-day window for reconciliation.”
Munjal says, “Recognizing the interdependence of GSTR-1, GSTR-2B, and GSTR-3B in the GST ecosystem, the government has extended the GSTR-1 filing deadline for monthly filers by two days, now due on January 13, 2025. To ensure a smooth compliance process, the GSTR-3B deadline has also been extended by two days to January 22, 2025.
For quarterly filers of GSTR-1, covering the period from October to December 2024, the deadline has been extended to January 15, 2025.
Singla says: “For some taxpayers the deadline to file GSTR-3B has been extended to 26 January, 2025 which is Republic day, a national holiday.”
According to Chartered Accountant Ashish Niraj, Partner, A S N & Company, “Extension of due dates is a welcome step. Some people are questioning why GSTR 3B dates has also been extended. The reason is normally, GSTR 1 due date is 11th of subsequent month for monthly filers having turnover more than Rs 5 crore in the preceding year and 13th of subsequent month for quarterly for other filers having turnover less than 5 Crore in the preceding year at their option. However, GSTR 2B is generated on 14th, but now as the GSTR 1 dates have been extended to 13th for Monthly filers and 15th for quarterly filers,GSTR 2B will be generated on 16th instead of 14th. For Preparation of GSTR 3B , GSTR 2B reconciliation is done. As GSTR 2B will generate 2 days late so the extension of GSTR 3B dates is fully understandable and was required.”
Other key decisions
Two other related notifications were issued by the CBIC later in the day:
- The time limit for filing FORM GSTR-5 and FORM GSTR-6 for the tax period December, 2024 was extended from 13.01.2025 to 15.01.2025.
- Time limit for filing FORM GSTR-7 and FORM GSTR-8 for the tax period December 2024 was extended from 10.01.2025 to 12.01.2025.
