Offline Excel-based format for GSTN unveiled

NEW DELHI: The GST Network has launched an offline Excel-based format for traders and businesses to upload sales data on its portal in line with the July 1 rollout of the new indirect taxes reform.

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 for compliance.

As per the GST law, a return of all sales or trade made in a month has to be filed online by 10th of the following month.

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 the transaction, like supply invoices issued to registered taxpayers, export invoice details, consolidated details of supplies to consumers, credit/debit note details to registered/unregistered taxpayers and details of documents issued.

The Excel data will then be used by an offline tool, which GSTN will be releasing on July 15.

The offline tool will be able to import data from the Excel template and generate JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) file which will have to be uploaded on GST portal, a statement said.

“Objective is to make paying taxes easy and simple. The taxpayer can enter details of his outward supply in the excel template on weekly basis or other suitable regular interval," GSTN chairman Navin Kumar said.

GST Return 1 Excel template can be used to prepare GSTR 1 return without connecting to the Internet in offline mode. "This also benefits taxpayers in remote areas where Internet connectivity might not be that good," Kumar said.