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GSTR Filing

PayInvoice Next prepares your GST return data directly from your transactions. This page explains how GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing works and how to review, verify, and file your returns.

What Are GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B?

GSTR-1 is the return where you report all outward supplies (sales) — every B2B invoice, B2C transaction, export, credit note, and amendment. Your customers rely on your GSTR-1 data to claim their Input Tax Credit, so accuracy is critical.

GSTR-3B is the monthly (or quarterly) summary return where you declare your output tax liability and claim Input Tax Credit. Unlike GSTR-1, GSTR-3B is an aggregated summary:

TableWhat It Contains
Table 3.1Outward supplies — taxable, zero-rated, nil/exempt, reverse charge, non-GST
Table 4Input Tax Credit — imports, reverse charge, ISD, and all other ITC
Table 5Exempt and nil-rated inward supplies

Important

GSTR-3B Table 3.1 is prepared from your filed GSTR-1 data (not directly from individual Sales Invoices). Table 4 is prepared from your GSTR-2B data after reconciliation. This ensures your return matches what the government portal already has on record.

How PayInvoice Next Prepares GSTR Data

When you submit Sales Invoices and Purchase Invoices, the TaxGenie Compliance Engine automatically captures the GST details needed for filing:

  1. Sales Invoices → Outward supply records — Each submitted Sales Invoice creates an outward supply record with the invoice value, GST components, customer GSTIN, place of supply, and supply classification.

  2. GSTR-1 payload generation — The system compiles all outward supply records for the period into the GSTR-1 format and validates the data against 28 rules covering GSTIN format, amount precision, document summaries, and more.

  3. GSTR-3B generation — After GSTR-1 is filed, the system generates GSTR-3B by pulling Table 3.1 from the filed GSTR-1 and Table 4 from your reconciled GSTR-2B data.

Filing Step by Step

Step 1: Review Prepared Data

Navigate to the GSTR-1 return for the filing period. The system shows all outward supply records grouped by category. Review the summary totals and check for flagged issues.

Step 2: Validate

Run the built-in validation. PayInvoice Next checks for invalid GSTINs, amount precision errors, missing fields, duplicate invoice numbers, and credit notes that exceed the time limit. Errors are displayed with explanations and suggested fixes.

WARNING

Validation errors at the highest severity level must be resolved before filing. Lower-level warnings can be reviewed and accepted if the data is correct.

Step 3: Submit for Approval

Submit the return for approval. This is a human approval step — the return is not sent to the government portal yet.

Step 4: File with Government Portal

After approval, use the File with GSTN action. This requires EVC (OTP) or DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) authentication. On success, the system records the ARN (Acknowledgement Reference Number) and marks the return as "Filed."

Step 5: Generate GSTR-3B

Once GSTR-1 is filed, generate the GSTR-3B for the same period. Review the auto-populated tables, verify the ITC figures against your Purchase Reconciliation, and follow the same approve-and-file workflow.

GSTR-1A Amendments

If you discover errors in a filed GSTR-1 before filing GSTR-3B for the same period, you can file a GSTR-1A amendment:

  • Available only after GSTR-1 is filed and before GSTR-3B is filed for the same period.
  • You cannot change the recipient's GSTIN — use the B2BA route in next month's GSTR-1 instead.
  • Only one GSTR-1A per period. The delta is automatically reflected in your GSTR-3B.

Common Filing Errors and How to Fix Them

ErrorCauseFix
GSTIN format invalidGSTIN does not match the 15-character formatCorrect the GSTIN on the source invoice and regenerate
Duplicate invoice numberSame invoice number appears twice for the same supplier in the periodRemove or correct the duplicate entry
Credit note past deadlineCredit note issued after 30 November of the following financial yearCannot be included — consult your tax advisor
Amount precision errorTax amounts have more than 2 decimal placesThe system rounds automatically; verify source invoices if amounts differ

Filing Calendar and Deadlines

ReturnFiling FrequencyTypical Due Date
GSTR-1Monthly (turnover > ₹5 Cr)11th of the following month
GSTR-1Quarterly (QRMP scheme)13th of the month after the quarter
GSTR-3BMonthly (turnover > ₹5 Cr)20th of the following month
GSTR-3BQuarterly (QRMP scheme)22nd or 24th of the month after the quarter (varies by state)
GSTR-1AAs neededBefore GSTR-3B filing for the same period

INFO

PayInvoice Next tracks filing deadlines and sends alerts as due dates approach. Late filing attracts interest on outstanding tax liability and a late fee per day of delay.

PayInvoice Next — P2P Documentation v1.0.0-beta