An Alumnus of IIM and DU with almost a decade of experience in the banking and finance sectors. I had the opportunity to work with all types of institutions in BFSI ecosystem like Bank, NBFC, Fintech, Consulting and Auditor. I started my professional journey at KPMG and subsequently worked in leading names of the BFSI sector including Ujjivan Bank, Vistaar Finance. Currently building a fintech startup ( PICE) by handling alliances, compliance and creation of GTM strategy for payments and credit product.
24 Feb 25
7 mins
Share
GSTR 8 Return Filing: Format, Eligibility and Rules
GSTR-8 is a monthly return for e-commerce operators under GST.
It records seller details and TCS amounts.
Only platforms facilitating online sales must file.
Returns are due by the 10th of the following month.
Filing can be done online or via an offline utility.
Within India’s GST framework, the GSTR-8 Form plays a crucial role. It serves as a record of all the supplies completed by e-commerce companies and reveals the total figure of tax collected at source (TCS).
There is a set format for the GSTR-8 return that is effective for capturing important details like the respective GSTINs of the sellers, their trade names, the amount of TCS taken and so on. Only e-commerce operators who enable transactions between online sellers and buyers via their digital platforms need to file GSTR-8.
In this blog, you can read about the rules governing GSTR-8 filing. It will allow you to accurately comply with GST laws and ensure the timely filing of your tax returns.
What is GSTR-8?
GSTR-8 is an official statement that has to be submitted by all e-commerce operators in India. It is a monthly return form that covers information like the list of supplies offered by a registered seller to unregistered persons via a taxpayer’s e-commerce platform.
In addition, the GSTR 8 return conveys a customer’s basic details, i.e., whether they are a GST-registered person or not, TCS collected, tax already paid, due tax and so on.
Who Should File GSTR-8?
Any taxable e-commerce platform owner who is responsible for collecting TCS as per the GST regulations must submit GSTR-8. This segment mainly includes operators of digital platforms which enable the transaction of goods or services between sellers and buyers.
Under the GST regime, it is compulsory for all e-commerce operators to complete GST registration when their yearly turnover crosses a specific threshold. Likewise, they must also file a GSTR-8 return to comply with the existing tax norms. It helps them avoid penalties and maintain a good business reputation.
One must complete GSTR-8 filing for a month by the 10th of the following month. For example, the deadline for filing GSTR-8 for June will be on the 10th of July. This is how a consistent schedule needs to be maintained, and filing must occur every month. Delayed filings disrupt GST compliance and can lead to hefty penalties.
?feature=shared
GSTR-8 Format
In a standard GSTR-8 form, you can notice the following segments:
Header Section
This segment comprises some of the basic information of the concerned e-commerce operator along with the tax period.
Individual Transaction Particulars
Here, you can check the complete details of supplies made during the previous month along with the TCS collected against these items.
Summary Details
In this segment, you will find summarised information for easy reference.
Declaration and Verification
In this part, you need to acknowledge the preciseness of the data provided.
The following conditions have to be met for successful filing of GSTR-8 returns:
The return filer must be a GST-registered taxpayer with a unique 15-digit PAN-based GSTIN.
The total turnover of the concerned business must exceed ₹20 lakh (the upper limit is set at ₹10 lakh for northeast India).
The entity seeking the GSTR-8 form online must be an e-commerce operator owning an online marketplace. On their platform, GST-registered companies/traders must be selling goods or services to their end customers.
Submitting the GSTR-8 return is compulsory for all e-commerce operators who have not opted for the Composition Scheme or do not have a UIN or Unique Identification Number. However, if you are a non-resident taxpayer, then you do not need to submit monthly GSTR-8 returns.
Finally, to ensure accurate reporting, you need to record the collected tax at source details accurately for every transaction during a particular month. Otherwise, it can result in wrong entries and will lead to discrepancies later on.
Here are the quick steps to file a GSTR-8 return online:
Step 1: Log in to your GST account after visiting the official GST portal.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Returns’ tab and choose the option ‘GSTR-8’.
Step 3: Fill out the form following the stated guidelines.
Step 4: Confirm whether all the inputs are true to your knowledge, pay the outstanding tax and submit Form GSTR-8 online.
Step 5: Download the acknowledgement receipt on your mobile phone for record-keeping purposes.
How to File GSTR-8 Using GSTR-8 Offline Utility?
Below all taxable persons can refer to the steps for accessing the GSTR-8 offline utility:
Step 1: Visit the official GST online platform and download the GSTR-8 offline utility from the relevant link.
Step 2: Fill out all the transaction-related information in offline mode when you are free.
Step 3: Produce a JSON file from the utility to upload it on the GST website.
Step 4: Verify whether the file has been successfully submitted on the unified portal. If you see any erroneous entries in the monthly statement, rectify them immediately and complete the upload procedure.
GSTR-8 Late Payment Fees and Penalty
Taxpayers must pay a penalty of Rs 200 daily for late payment of tax (₹100 SGST and ₹100 CGST) until they file the return. The GST Council has capped the applicable late filing amount equivalent to the due tax collected at source (TCS). Additionally, the taxpayer has to bear an extra 18% interest per annum on the overdue amount.
Filing a GSTR-8 return is mandatory for all the concerned e-commerce operators who are registered under the GST law. Timely submission not only keeps your business aligned with regulatory requirements but also promotes the overall health of commercial activities.
or time-to-time management of GST filings, you can hire professionals who can ensure direct tax compliance. Their expertise often leads to new financial opportunities and paves the way for easier business loans.
💡If you want to streamline your payment and make GST payments via credit card, consider using the PICE App. Explore the PICE App today and take your business to new heights.
FAQs
What is GSTR-8?
GSTR-8 is a mandatory monthly return form under India's GST regime specifically for e-commerce operators. It records details of supplies made on the platform and the tax collected at source (TCS) from sellers. This form ensures transparent and accurate reporting of transactions.
Who is required to file GSTR-8?
Only e-commerce operators facilitating transactions between sellers and buyers need to file GSTR-8. This requirement applies to platforms that collect TCS as mandated by GST regulations. Registered digital marketplace owners must comply to maintain proper tax records.
What information is captured in the GSTR-8 form?
The form includes essential details like seller GSTINs, trade names, and the amount of TCS collected. It also lists individual transaction particulars and provides a summary of supplies made. This comprehensive data helps ensure accurate tax reporting and compliance.
When is the GSTR-8 return due?
GSTR-8 must be filed by the 10th of the month following the reporting period. For instance, returns for June are due by July 10th. Timely submission is crucial to avoid penalties and maintain seamless GST compliance.
How can GSTR-8 be filed?
GSTR-8 can be filed online via the official GST portal or using the designated offline utility. The process involves filling in the required details, verifying the information, and submitting the return. An acknowledgement receipt is generated upon successful submission for record-keeping.
An Alumnus of IIM and DU with almost a decade of experience in the banking and finance sectors. I had the opportunity to work with all types of institutions in BFSI ecosystem like Bank, NBFC, Fintech, Consulting and Auditor. I started my professional journey at KPMG and subsequently worked in leading names of the BFSI sector including Ujjivan Bank, Vistaar Finance. Currently building a fintech startup ( PICE) by handling alliances, compliance and creation of GTM strategy for payments and credit product.
0
Instant Transfer
Lowest Rates
Credit on all transaction