A business has to file multiple GST returns and make monthly or quarterly tax payments in order to be GST compliant. The chance of failing to file a return or failing to recognize that a return has been declared invalid is huge because of the many different deadlines and types of returns. With this problem in mind, the government has created a facility that makes it simple for you to track the status of your GST return.
You can track your GST return status based on the ARN, the return filing period, and the status of the return.
Types of GST Return Status
There are three processes involved in filing a GST return: submitting the return, filing the return, and validating the return. Depending on how many stages you have successfully finished, your GST return status will change. Here is a brief summary of the various GST return status kinds and what they mean.
Your GST returns should ideally have the status "Filed-Valid." Let's understand how you can check your GST return status on the GST portal.
3 Simple Ways to Check Your GST Return Status Online
GST return status can be tracked based on the return filing period, the ARN, or the status of the return.
1. Check GST Return Status Using ARN
Each GST return you submit has a unique, 15-digit alphanumeric code known as 'ARN'. 'ARN' stands for Application Reference Number. It is a unique code that can be used to track your GST return status.
Step 1: Visit the GST portal and log in to your account.
Step 2: Download the GST return that you wish to track in PDF. The ARN would be mentioned in the table on top of the PDF. Note down the ARN.
Step 3: Click on 'Services' and select the 'Returns' tab.
Step 4: Select the' Track Return Status' option from the drop-down list.
Step 5: Tick the 'ARN' option out of the three options displayed there.
Step 6: Enter your return's ARN in the blank column and click 'Search'. The status of your GST return will be displayed there immediately.
2. Check GST Return Status by Return Filing Period
You can review the GST return status of all the returns you have filed during a specific period on the GST portal. Here are the steps to do so.
Step 1: Visit the GST portal and log in to your account.
Step 2: Click on 'Services' and select the 'Returns' tab.
Step 3: Select the 'Track Return Status' option from the drop-down list.
Step 4: Select the 'Return filing period' option.
Step 5: Enter the start date and the end date of the return period that you want to track in DD/MM/YYYY format. For instance, if you wish to track the status of all the GST returns filed between April 2023 and June 2023, enter '01/04/2023' in the first column and '30/06/2023' in the next.
Step 6: Click on 'Search'. The status of each return that you filed during the specified period will be displayed immediately.
3. Search GST Returns by Their Status
The GST portal also allows you to track your GST returns based on their status. For instance, you can view all the GST returns that have the 'Filed-Invalid' status in one place so that you can take corrective action.
Currently, you can track three return statuses using this tool:
- Validated but not filed
- Filed-Valid
- Filed-Invalid
Follow the steps mentioned below to search GST returns based on status.
Step 1: Visit the GST portal and log in to your account.
Step 2: Click on 'Services' and select the 'Returns' tab.
Step 3: Select the 'Track Return Status' option from the drop-down list.
Step 4: Select the 'Status' option out of the three options displayed there.
Step 5: Select the GST return status that you wish to track from the drop-down list displayed below and click on 'Search'. A list of all the GST returns filed by you that have the selected status will be displayed.
Final Thoughts
Even if you submit your GST returns on time, it's crucial to monitor their progress. For instance, it's possible that you filed a return but forgot to use an EVC to validate it. Monitoring the status of your GST return regularly will help you identify oversights and errors and take appropriate corrective action when necessary.
Using the three easy methods we explained above, you can check the status of your GST return for free on the GST portal itself.
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