GST return due dates depend on which return you're filing and whether you file monthly or quarterly (QRMP). As a general pattern, monthly GSTR-1 is due around the 11th of the following month and GSTR-3B around the 20th, with separate dates for quarterly filers. The single most important habit, though, is this: due dates are set by the government and change often, and extensions are common, so always confirm the current date on the official GST portal before you file. Missing a date brings interest and late fees, so a simple calendar habit saves real money.
Why due dates keep changing
The GST Council and the government regularly revise dates, offer extensions during festivals or system issues, and adjust the schedule for new schemes. That's why any fixed list you memorise can go stale. The professional approach isn't to memorise dates forever; it's to know the pattern, keep a filing calendar, and verify each period on the portal. Below is the pattern to understand.
The general due-date pattern
Treat this table as the usual schedule, not a guarantee. Confirm each date on gst.gov.in.
| Return | Who / frequency | Typical due date |
|---|---|---|
| GSTR-1 (monthly) | Regular monthly filers | ~11th of next month |
| GSTR-1 (quarterly, QRMP) | QRMP filers | ~13th after the quarter |
| IFF (optional, QRMP) | QRMP filers, months 1 & 2 | ~13th of next month |
| GSTR-3B (monthly) | Regular monthly filers | ~20th of next month |
| GSTR-3B (quarterly, QRMP) | QRMP filers | ~22nd or 24th after quarter (state-wise) |
| CMP-08 | Composition taxpayers | ~18th after the quarter |
| GSTR-4 (annual) | Composition taxpayers | after the financial year |
| GSTR-9 (annual return) | Regular taxpayers above threshold | typically 31 December of next FY |
The QRMP quarterly GSTR-3B date differs by state (two groups of states have slightly different dates), which is one more reason to check the portal.
Monthly vs QRMP: which are you?
- Monthly filers file GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B every month.
- QRMP filers (turnover up to the threshold, commonly ₹5 crore, who opt in) file GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B quarterly, but still pay tax monthly via a challan, and can upload B2B invoices monthly through the IFF so buyers get their credit sooner.
Knowing your category tells you which set of dates applies.
How to never miss a date
- Keep a filing calendar with reminders a few days before each due date.
- Confirm the exact date on the portal at the start of each month/quarter.
- Prepare early, reconcile your books, GSTR-1 and GSTR-2B well before the deadline.
- File even Nil returns on time; skipping them causes problems and can block later filings.
- Watch for extensions, but don't rely on them; treat the standard date as real.
What happens if you miss a due date
Late filing has real costs:
- Late fee — a per-day charge (a fixed amount per day, capped), separate for CGST and SGST.
- Interest — on any unpaid tax, from the due date until payment.
- Blocked filing — you generally can't file the next period's return until the previous one is filed, so delays snowball.
- Customer impact — late GSTR-1 delays your buyers' input tax credit.
Because of the snowball effect, one missed return can cascade, so timeliness matters more than the small fee alone suggests.
Real-world scenario (an accountant's monthly rhythm)
A working accountant runs a monthly rhythm: early in the month, reconcile last month's sales and purchases in Tally; by around the 10th, prepare and file GSTR-1; match ITC against GSTR-2B; by around the 20th, file and pay GSTR-3B. For QRMP clients, they pay monthly challans and file quarterly. They keep a shared calendar so no client's return slips. Employers love this reliability, "will this person file our returns on time, every time?" is exactly what they're hiring for. Being the person who never misses a GST date makes you genuinely valuable.
Pro tips
- Bookmark the official GST portal's due-date/calendar page and check it each period.
- Set reminders three days before each deadline, not on the day.
- File Nil returns on time too; skipping them blocks future filings.
- For QRMP, remember tax is still paid monthly even though the return is quarterly.
Common mistakes
- Relying on a memorised date. Dates change; verify each time on the portal.
- Ignoring the state-wise QRMP date. The quarterly GSTR-3B date differs by state group.
- Skipping Nil returns. No sales doesn't mean no filing; file Nil on time.
- Filing GSTR-3B before reconciling. Reconcile with GSTR-1 and GSTR-2B first to avoid errors.
Key takeaways
- Monthly: GSTR-1 ~11th, GSTR-3B ~20th of the next month (verify on the portal).
- QRMP filers file quarterly but pay tax monthly; dates differ, some by state.
- Late filing brings a per-day late fee, interest, and blocks the next return.
- Always confirm the current date on gst.gov.in; keep a filing calendar.
Practice task
On the official GST portal, look up the current due dates for monthly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for this month, and the quarterly dates for QRMP. Write them into a simple calendar with reminders three days earlier.
Learn the full GST return cycle and filing discipline in the ADFA program at HCI.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the GST return due dates?
As a general pattern, monthly GSTR-1 is due around the 11th and GSTR-3B around the 20th of the next month, with different dates for quarterly (QRMP) filers. Dates change, so verify on the GST portal.
When is GSTR-1 due?
Monthly GSTR-1 is typically due around the 11th of the following month, and quarterly (QRMP) around the 13th after the quarter. Confirm the current date on the portal.
When is GSTR-3B due?
Monthly GSTR-3B is typically due around the 20th of the next month; for QRMP filers it's around the 22nd or 24th after the quarter, depending on the state.
What happens if I miss a GST due date?
You pay a per-day late fee and interest on unpaid tax, and you usually can't file the next period until the current one is filed, so delays snowball.
Do I need to file a return if I had no sales?
Yes. You must file a Nil return on time. Skipping it causes compliance problems and can block later filings.