Businesses can now self-certify GST annual returns, instead of CA audit

GST taxpayers with a turnover of over Rs 5 crore can now self-certify their annual return, instead of a mandatory audit certification by chartered accountants, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs said in a notification.

Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), filing of annual return — GSTR-9/9A — for 2020-21 is mandatory for all registered businesses, barring those with an aggregate annual turnover of up to Rs 2 crore.

Besides, taxpayers with a turnover of over Rs 5 crore have to submit a reconciliation statement in form GSTR-9C. This statement was required to be certified after an audit by a CA.

This will give compliance level relief to thousands of taxpayers, AMRG & Associates senior partner Rajat Mohan said.