GSTN Advisory: Pending GST Returns to Be Barred After 3 Years Starting August 2025

Issued on: June 18, 2025
Reference: Advisory No. 612 / GSTN / 2025


Key Update: No Return Filing After Three Years

The GST Network (GSTN) has issued an important advisory urging all taxpayers to file their pending GST returns before the three-year deadline expires. As per the Finance Act, 2023, and Notification No. 28/2023, GST returns filed under Sections 37, 39, 44, and 52 cannot be submitted after three years from their due date.


What This Means for You

Starting July 2025, any GST return older than three years from its due date will be barred from filing on the GST portal. For instance:

  • GSTR-1 and 3B for June 2022
  • GSTR-9 and 9C for FY 2020-21

These returns will no longer be accepted after August 1, 2025.


Applicable GST Forms Affected

The following GST forms will be barred from filing starting August 1, 2025, if they relate to the listed periods:

GST FormPeriod Barred w.e.f. 1st August 2025
GSTR-1/IFFJune 2022
GSTR-1QApril – June 2022
GSTR-3B/MJune 2022
GSTR-3BQApril – June 2022
GSTR-4FY 2021–22
GSTR-5June 2022
GSTR-6June 2022
GSTR-7June 2022
GSTR-8June 2022
GSTR-9/9CFY 2020–21

Legal Background

This change is based on Section 37 (Outward Supply), Section 39 (Payment of Tax), Section 44 (Annual Return), and Section 52 (TCS) of the CGST Act. These provisions were amended by the Finance Act, 2023 (8 of 2023) and made effective from October 1, 2023, through Notification No. 28/2023 dated 31st July 2023.


Advisory Already Issued Earlier

It is worth noting that GSTN had already issued an advisory in this regard on October 29, 2024, giving taxpayers ample time to take necessary action.


Final Reminder: File Returns Before It’s Too Late

Taxpayers are strongly advised to:

  • Reconcile their GST records
  • File any pending returns without further delay

Failing to act now will result in permanent loss of filing rights for those return periods.