Starting with the July 2025 tax period, Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns will become time-barred after three years from the original due date, the GST Network (GSTN) said in an advisory issued Saturday. This means taxpayers will no longer be able to file monthly or annual returns beyond that window, with the restriction set to be enforced on the GST portal from August 2025 onward.The move is part of amendments introduced through the Finance Act, 2023, aimed at tightening compliance and closing long-standing return backlogs. The rule applies to a wide range of returns, including GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-4, GSTR-5, GSTR-5A, GSTR-6, GSTR-7, GSTR-8 and GSTR-9 — covering outward supply declarations, tax payments, and annual summaries, PTI reported.“The returns will be barred for filing after expiry of three years. The said restriction will be implemented on the GST portal from the July 2025 Tax period,” the GSTN advisory stated.Taxpayers have been urged to reconcile their records and submit any pending returns without delay to avoid permanent closure of the filing window.Tax experts, however, raised concerns about the impact on those unable to comply due to litigation, technical glitches or inadvertent delays. “While this step enhances system discipline and curtails prolonged non-compliance, it may severely impact taxpayers who, due to litigation, system issues, or genuine oversight, have pending filings,” said Rajat Mohan, Senior Partner at AMRG & Associates.He also pointed to the lack of a redressal mechanism for exceptional situations, warning that it could result in irreversible denial of Input Tax Credit and cause financial strain for affected businesses.The GSTN had first issued a preparatory alert on this measure, indicating the system-level rollout would begin in early 2025.
