GST rollout: GST Network launches offline Excel template for traders, businesses to file online returns

New Delhi: Ahead of the rollout on Saturday, GST Network (GSTN) on Friday launched an offline Excel based format for traders and businesses to upload sales data on the GST portal.The Excel template, comprising eight worksheets, is part of GST Network's approach to make tax compliance easy and convenient for taxpayers and also reduce the time of compliance.As per the GST law, a return of all sales or trade made in a month have to be filed online by the 10th of the following month.[caption id="attachment_2934644" align="alignleft" width="380"]

File image of finance minister Arun Jaitley. PTI.[/caption]This Excel template can be downloaded from the GST common portal (www.gst.gov.in), and can be used by taxpayers to collate all invoice related data on a regular basis.In the excel sheet, the businesses would have to give details of transaction, like supply invoices issued to registered tax payers, export invoice details, consolidated details of supplies to consumers, credit/debit note details to registered/unregistered taxpayers and details of documents issued.The data in Excel template will then be used by an offline tool, which GSTN will be releasing on 15 July.The offline tool will be able to import data from the Excel template and generate JSON (Java Script Object Notation) file which will have to be uploaded on GST portal, a statement said."Our objective is to make paying taxes easy and simple. The taxpayer can enter the details of his outward supply in the excel template on weekly basis or any other suitable regular interval," GSTN Chairman Navin Kumar said.The GST Return 1 Excel template can be used to prepare the GSTR 1 return without connecting to Internet in offline mode."This also benefits taxpayers in remote areas where Internet connectivity might not be that good," Kumar said.The GST Council has decided to give relaxation to businesses for filing return in the initial two months of GST rollout.For July, the sale returns will have to be filed by 5 September instead of 10 August. Companies will have to file sale invoice for August with the GST Network by 20 September instead of 10 September earlier.