GST Council-approved revamp of GST return forms to curb mismatches; drafts open for public feedback from November 1

Key facts

• The GST Council approved changes to GST return forms on October 8 to curb mismatches between sales reported by businesses and the tax they pay, a key trigger for tax notices.
• Draft revised forms will be uploaded on the MyGov portal on November 1 for public feedback until November 30, and the revised forms will take effect from April 1, 2027.
• Gaurav Singh, Commissioner in the GST Policy Wing of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), said the GSTR-1 form is being modified and the Invoice Management System (IMS) improved so that editing GSTR-3B is not needed.
• Nearly 80% of GST notices were linked to mismatches in returns.
• The CBIC is considering simplifying GST audits, as businesses operating in multiple states can currently face audits by tax authorities in each state.
• Notifications and circulars from the October 8 GST Council meeting have been vetted by the Law Department and will be made public soon.