The GST regime in India has altogether rewritten the indirect taxation landscape. In this scheme
of things, with such a multitude of compliance, GSTR-9 still remains one of the most crucial
annual returns that assimilate data from GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. Book My Accountant takes
you through the nitty-gritty of filing GSTR-9, mandatory documents, and finer aspects of
applicable provisions related to GSTR-9C, all in this post.

Understanding GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is an annual return that every registered taxpayer under the GST framework is liable to
file. The taxpayer includes all outward and inward supplies in GSTR-9 for the fiscal year.
Filing GSTR-9 is important because it reflects all the sales, purchases, output tax liabilities, and input tax credits availed during the fiscal year in comprehensive detail.

Required Document for Filing GSTR-9:

Taxpayers must collect and prepare a lot of documentation to file GSTR-9 correctly. We list all the important documents required in detail below:

1. GSTR-1 Returns: Collect all the details from the monthly or quarterly GSTR-1 returns, including all sales made during the financial year.
2. GSTR-3B Returns: All the GSTR-3Bs filed throughout the year shall be collated as they will
   contain information about the taxes paid in GST.
3. Invoices: Maintain sufficient sales invoices to substantiate the entries made in GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B.
4. Purchase Invoices: Collection of purchase invoices to validate the input tax credits availed.
5. Credit/Debit Notes: Provide all the credit and debit notes generated in a fiscal year, as they reflect the liability input credits associated with the same account.
6. Stock Registers: These stock registers shall provide them with the required reconciling
7. outward supplies disclosed and input credited.
8. Receipts of Payments: Records relating to the payment of GST must be made for the
   purpose of displaying the proper record of compliance.
9. Other Relevant Documents: In addition to these, the other relevant documents that would
   support the figures provided in the annual return of a taxpayer are kept properly clean. These include agreements, delivery challans, and all records that statutes prescribe.

Elements of GSTR-9

GSTR 9 comprises a list of elements, and each element will depict one characteristic of a
taxpayer's business activity

• Details of Outward Supplies: Sales made and the amount received against different tax
• rates.
• Details of Inward Supplies: All purchases with available input tax credit.
• Input Tax Credit: The input tax credits available during the year.
• Tax Paid: All tax liabilities and taxes paid during the financial year.
• HSN Summary: Summary of all purchases and sales made during the year under HSN Code

GSTR-9C and Its Applicability

GSTR-9C is the reconciliation statement, and all taxpayers of such specific categories must file
this statement. This GSTR-9C is filed only on the basis of annual turnover. All taxpayers are
required to file GSTR-9 along with GSTR-9C, which has a consolidated turnover of INR 2 crore
and more. GSTR-9C is the consolidated version of GSTR-9 as it reconciles the financial
statements audited by a Chartered Accountant.

Key Provisions and Guidelines to File GSTR-9C

1. The said return is required by taxpayers whose turnover has crossed the prescribed
   threshold. It thus only suggests that proper financial reporting would be necessary in cases of
   turnover business.
2. Reconciliation of annual returns with audited annual taxpayer accounts is a mandate in such
   a return to confirm whether the GST compliances have been accurate and, if true, the figures so
   reported.
3. Professional support: Considering the complexity of reconciliation, professional help is the
   way for taxpayers to get it. It is of utmost importance to seek help from tax professionals to make sure all documents are prepared accurately so that discrepancies are minimized to the make sure all documents are prepared accurately so that discrepancies are minimized to make sure all documents are prepared accurately so that discrepancies are minimized to the fullest.

Common Errors to Be Avoided While GSTR-9 Filing:

Taxpayers should be vigilant about common mistakes they commit while filing GSTR-9.

They are :

• There are discrepancies between the details coming under GSTR-1 and the figures in
• GSTR 3B.
• Numbers being miscalculated also raise a mismatch, leading to tax consequences.
• Sales or purchases not noted down.
• Missing attachments with any document under the audit process

Conclusion

Filing GSTR 9 is one of the critical components of taxpayer compliance in terms of goods and
services tax. Thus, knowing the documentation, as well as the GSTR 9C effect that comes with
it, goes a long way in improving the filing process. These services can be availed at Book My
Accountant to make compliance smooth, and all the documentation will be in check, along with
the risks mitigated accordingly.
This way, knowing the GST regime changes the filing requirements and the attendant
documents on the part of the taxpayer would enable it to fulfil them in a more efficient and
accurate manner.