The government on Sunday extended the due date for furnishing the annual goods and services tax returns (GST) for the financial year 2019-20 by a month. The new deadline is March 31 instead of February 31.

This is the second extension given by the government. The deadline was earlier extended from December 31, 2020, to February 28.

In view of the difficulties expressed by the taxpayers in meeting this time limit, Government has decided to further extend the due date for furnishing of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C for the financial year 2019-20 to March 31, 2021 with the approval of Election Commission of India, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

GSTR 9 is an annual return to be filed yearly by taxpayers registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). It consists of details regarding the outward and inward supplies made or received under different tax heads. GSTR-9C is a statement of reconciliation between GSTR-9 and the audited annual financial statement.

Speaking about the extension, AMRG & Associates Senior Partner Rajat Mohan said, even though it is a relatively small extension of 31 days but is sufficient for the tax professionals to complete the requisite filings.

EY Tax Partner Abhishek Jain said most industry players were struggling to meet this statutory deadline and had represented to the government for an extension.

Furnishing of the annual return is mandatory only for taxpayers with aggregate annual turnover above Rs 2 crore while reconciliation statement is to be furnished only by the registered persons having aggregate turnover above Rs 5 crore.