The GST Return Filers Number Has Seen A Growth of 56% To 11.28 Million In 5 Years

According to information provided by the ministry, 90% of eligible taxpayers now complete the filing of GSTR-3B returns by the end of the respective filing month in the current fiscal year. This marks a significant increase from the 68% recorded in 2017-18, the initial year of the GST rollout.

The Finance Ministry reported a 65% surge in GST return filers to 1.13 crore over the five years until April 2023, signifying improved taxpayer compliance. Additionally, the number of active taxpayers registered under GST grew from 1.06 crore in April 2018 to 1.40 crore.

According to ministry data, 90% of eligible taxpayers are now filing GSTR-3B returns by the end of the filing month in the current fiscal year. This marks a significant increase from the 68% recorded in the inaugural year of GST implementation in 2017-18. The ministry attributed this rise to simplifying rules and procedures in GST, enhancing the filing percentage among eligible taxpayers.

The nationwide implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1, 2017, consolidated more than a dozen local taxes, including excise, service tax, and VAT. GSTR-3B filers expanded from 72.49 lakh in April 2018 to 1.13 crore as of April 2023.

GSTR-3B serves as the monthly return form for reporting outward supplies details and making tax payments. The ministry highlighted the enhanced compliance level in GST return filing, crediting effective policy and systemic changes for improvement. The rising trend in return filing over the years indicates a positive shift in compliance, according to the ministry.

In November, the monthly collection from GST reached Rs.1.68 lakh crore, marking the sixth instance of gross GST collection surpassing the Rs.1.60 lakh crore mark in the current fiscal year. Since its implementation on July 1, 2017, Goods and Services Tax collection has consistently exhibited an upward trajectory on an annual basis. 

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reported an average gross monthly collection of Rs.1.66 lakh crore in the current fiscal year, with a record high of Rs.1.87 lakh crore in April.

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