GST returns: Marginal dip in compliance this September

Data from the GSTN reveal the actual number of filings as of September 25 was 3.82 million and not the 3.76 million reported earlier

The goods and services tax (GST) revenue figures, released by the finance ministry a few days ago, showed that the number of GSTR 3B returns filed as of September 25 had dipped to 3.76 million, down from 3.83 million on August 29. 

In the same period, the indirect tax payer base (those registered) is reported to have increased from 5.96 million to 6.82 million. This drop in compliance levels from 64.4 per cent to 55.2 per cent led to concerns about the new indirect tax architecture. 

But have compliance levels really gone down that sharply? Is the situation as bad