Should I file a GST Return if I have no Sales?

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Sakshi Shah

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Last updated on February 8th, 2023

Every person who is registered under GST having a valid GSTIN must file all the GST Return applicable to his business. File GST Returns even if there are no transactions in the business. If there are no sales or purchases, the taxpayer must file a NIL Return.

A taxpayer can file a NIL Return if all the following conditions are satisfied:

What is the Due Date to file NIL Return under GST?

The taxpayer with no business transactions must keep in mind the GSTR Form to be filed and the due date of filing.

If you fall under the Regular Scheme

GSTR Form Frequency Description Due Date
GSTR-3B Monthly Summary Return with details of outward supplies, inward supplies and payment of tax 20th of next month
GSTR-1 Monthly Sales Return with details of outward supplies for business with aggregate turnover of more than Rs.1.5 Crore 11th of next month
GSTR-1 Quarterly Sales Return with details of outward supplies for business with aggregate turnover of upto Rs.1.5 Crore last date of next month from end of the quarter

If you fall under the Composition Scheme

GSTR Form Frequency Description Due Date
GSTR-4 Quarterly Return with details of outward supplies, inward supplies and payment of tax at a fixed rate 18th of next month from end of quarter

What are the consequences if GST Return is not filed ?

It is mandatory for every registered taxpayer to file GST Return. Taxpayers with no business transactions should file Nil Return within the due date.

Consequences for not filing a NIL Return:

  1. Late Fee of Rs.20 per day is charged from the due date of filing to the actual date of filing the return subject to a maximum late fee of Rs.10,000 per return.
  2. If the taxpayer does not file GST Return for a specific period, he cannot file GST Returns for subsequent periods too. Thus, the late fee would keep accumulating.
  3. There would be no interest liability in case of nil return since there would not be any tax liability.
  4. The taxpayer may receive a notice from the GST Department for non-filing of returns to which an appropriate response needs to be submitted.
  5. The taxpayer cannot apply for the cancellation of registration if he does not file all the returns.
I have a GST number, but I haven't filed a single NIL return yet. How can I save the penalties?
If you have a GST number, it is compulsory to file GST return even if there are no business transactions during the return period. Read more about ways to save penalty if you have failed to file return
Read Answer
I have a GST number, but I haven't filed a single NIL return yet. How can I save the penalties?
If you have a GST number, it is compulsory to file GST return even if there are no business transactions during the return period. Read more about ways to save penalty if you have failed to file return
Read Answer

The Late Fee and Interest Liability are auto-populated based on the date of filing of the return. The taxpayer can view them in the E-Liability Ledger on the GST Portal. He can file the return only once the late fees are paid.

FAQs

What happens if I don’t file my GST return?

If you don’t file any GST return then subsequent returns cannot be filed. For example, if the GSTR-2 return of April is not filed then the next return GSTR-3 and subsequent returns of May cannot be filed. Hence, late filing of GST return will have a cascading effect leading to heavy fines and penalty

Can I file GST Return on my own?

Yes you can file your own returns on GST Portal.
GST return can be filed in different forms depending upon the nature of transaction and registration. Return Forms that are applicable for Normal Tax payers along with its Due Dates:
1. Monthly Details of Outward supplies in GSTR-1 by the 10th of next month.
2. Monthly details of Inward Supplies in GSTR-2 by the 15th of next month.
3. Monthly Filing of Return along with payment of tax due in GSTR-3 by the 20th of next month.
4. Annual Filing of Return in FORM GSTR-9 by 31st December of next financial year.

  • Pavan Kumar says:

    Really helpful content: keep posting new updates

  • Dhruv says:

    If I have purchased products with a bill and paid gst at time of purchase , and have no sales ….then do I have to pay nil tax in gst or what….i am online buisness

  • Arun Kumar says:

    when my business transaction is NIL and I don’t see any transaction in near future too then why should I file gst return? Even though I have a valid gst return.In case I do return to doing a business again then I will reapply for a gstn. May I request an answer based on above facts.

  • sameera says:

    required info. thanks!

  • Ramesh Kumar Sharma says:

    i have subimitted gstr1 return is it essential to fill GSTR3 also because after filed GSTR1 I reciving messages on my RMN for GSTR3.I recieved ARN for gstr1 filed.thanks.

    • Zainab Hawa says:

      Hi Ramesh,
      Yes, GSTR-3B needs to be filed even if there are no transactions during the month. Hence, in case of nil transaction, a nil return should be filed.

  • himanshu says:

    what if the sale is zero but purchased. should I file nil gstr 4 or show 0 turnover and purchased supply

  • Asgar Ali says:

    Sister jainab I m setting up new business so I need some information about gst and income btac return file ,if u could help me in this please can we discuss ,,9765677656

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