Relaxations given by the Government for GST return filing during COVID-19 pandemic

Due to COVID-19 pandemic and difficulties faced by the taxpayers in meeting their regular compliance, the Government of India (GOI) has introduced several relief measures to lower the compliance burden on the taxpayers.

In the context of the same, Finance Ministry has introduced following relaxations in relation to GST return filing, due dates, wavier of late filing fees and penalty, revised return, opt-in composition scheme, etc. as discussed below:

1. Due date extended for filing Form GSTR-3B return(Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020 – Part 1)

(i) Based on Turnover

Month Turnover more than 5 crores Turnover exceeding 1.5 crores to 5 crores Turnover up to 1.5 crores
February, 2020 24th June, 2020 29th June, 2020 30th June, 2020
March, 2020 24th June, 2020 29th June, 2020 03rd July, 2020
April, 2020 24th June, 2020 30th June, 2020 6th July, 2020
May, 2020 27th June, 2020 Refer below (ii) Refer below (ii)


(ii) Based on the principal place of business

For the period May, 2020 Due date extended for filing Form GSTR-3B return for the taxpayers having aggregate turnover upto Rs. 5 crores and the principal place of business is in the state as listed below:

Extended due date Group Principal place of business
12th July, 2020* Group 1 Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep
14th July, 2020* Group 2 Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Delhi


* Date till which the late fee is not applicable

2. Due date extended for filing Form GSTR-1(Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020 – Part 1)

Tax period Original Due date Extended Due date
March, 2020 11th April, 2020 30th June, 2020
April, 2020 11th May, 2020 30th June, 2020
May, 2020 11th June, 2020 30th June, 2020
Quarterly taxpayers Jan to March 2020 30th April, 2020 30th June, 2020


3. Timeline for filing GSTR-7

The due date for filing GSTR-7 for the period March, April and May 2020 has been extended up to 30th June, 2020.

4. Interest Liability for filing Form GSTR-3B(Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020 – Part 3)

15 days grace period has been allowed from the original date as interest-free. If the return filed within these period, no interest will be charged. Post that, if the return is filed by 24th June, 2020, then interest at the rate of 9% will be charged and if filed after 24th June, 2020, interest at 18% will be levied.

(i) Interest not applicable, if filed by

Month Turnover more than 5 crores Turnover exceeding 1.5 crores to 5 crores* Turnover up to 1.5 crores*
February, 2020 4th April, 2020 29th June, 2020 30th June, 2020
March, 2020 5thMay, 2020 29th June, 2020 03rd July, 2020
April, 2020 4th June, 2020 30th June, 2020 6th July, 2020


* Interest at the rate if 18% will be applicable if the returns are filed after the dates as listed above.

(ii) Interest applicable as below after due date filing having aggregate turnover more than Rs. 5 crores

Month Date from which Interest is payable @ 9% till date of filing, if filed by 24th June, 2020 Date from which Interest is payable @ 18% till date of filing, if not filed by 24th June, 2020
February, 2020 5th April, 2020 21st March, 2020
March, 2020 6thMay, 2020 21st April, 2020
April, 2020 5th June, 2020 21st May, 2020


(iii) Interest @ 18% applicable, if not filed by the dates mentioned in the above point (i) having aggregate turnover up to Rs. 5 crores based on Principal place of business (Group-wise)

Month Date from which interest @ 18% for taxpayers falling in States/UT of Group 1 Date from which interest @ 18% for taxpayers falling in States/UT of Group 2
February, 2020 23rd March, 2020 25th March, 2020
March, 2020 23rd April, 2020 25th April, 2020
April, 2020 23rd May, 2020 25th May, 2020


5. Due date extended for Composition dealers: (
Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020 – Part 2)

Form Tax period Extended Date
GST CMP-08 Jan to March 2020 07.07.2020
GSTR-4 FY 2019-20 15.07.2020
GST CMP-02 2020-21 30.06.2020
GST ITC-03 2019-20 (As on 31-3-2020) 31.07.2020


6. NRTP, ISD, TDS & TCS taxpayers: (Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020 – Part 2)

The due date for filing GSTR-5, GSTR-6, GSTR-7 & GSTR-8 by the taxpayers for the period March, April and May 2020 has been extended up to 30th June, 2020.

7. Extension of validity period of EWB: (Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020 – Part 2)

The validity of E-way bills (EWBs), generated on or before 24th March, 2020, and whose validity expiry date lies on or after 20th March, 2020, is deemed to have been extended till 30thJune, 2020.

8. Opting-in for Composition Scheme for FY 2020-21(Refer Circular dated 07/04/2020)

Existing Normal taxpayers who want to opt for Composition Scheme in Financial Year 2020-21 may note following changes:

i. Revised date to file Form GST CMP 02: Normal and registered taxpayers who want to opt in for Composition in FY 2020-21 can apply in Form GST CMP-02 by 30th June 2020.

ii. No GSTR 1 or 3B to be filed in FY 2020-21 for associated PAN: The taxpayers should not file any GSTR-1/GSTR-3B, for any tax period of FY 2020-21, from any of the GSTIN on the associated PAN, or else they will not be able to opt for composition scheme for FY 2020-21.

iii. No need for re-opting for the composition scheme: The taxpayers who are already in composition scheme, in previous financial year are not required to opt in for composition again for FY 2020-2021.

iv. Revised date to file Form GST ITC 03: Form GST ITC-03 to reverse ITC for the stock in hand at the time of transition can be filed till 31st July, 2020.

v. Modification in earlier advisory date 18.02.2020: The advisory issued on 18.02.2020 and available on GST Portal stands modified to above extent. The Government is looking after the interests of the small businesses by waving off interest, penalty and late fees. The above relief measures announced by the government are unprecedented and welcomed by all the taxpayers.