Prepare GST returns and reconcile data

Export GSTR-1 JSON, read the GSTR-3B summary, use the Returns Workbench, and compare GSTR-2B with your books. What is built and what is not.

Read this first. InvoBill prepares return data and exports portal-ready JSON files. It does not file the return for you. You upload the file on the GST portal yourself. A downloaded file is not proof that a return was filed. Also, the Input Tax Credit block on the GSTR-3B summary is only illustrative today. It is not built from your purchase invoices. Do not file from it.
Close entriesValidate HSNExport GSTR-1Check 3BReconcile 2B

Step 0: Close the period's entries

Before you start, finish all invoices, credit notes, purchase invoices and expenses for the month, so the numbers are complete.

Part 1: GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B (GST > GST Returns)

  1. Go to GST > GST Returns. The page is titled GST Reports.
  2. Under Return Filing Options, set Filing Type: Monthly or Quarterly (QRMP).
  3. Choose the Return Month (or Return Quarter).
  4. Tap Validate HSN. Fix any HSN problem it reports. Export GSTR-1 JSON stays blocked while the HSN check is failing.
  5. Tap Export GSTR-1 JSON. The page shows a preview with Total Invoices, B2B (Registered), B2C (Unregistered) and Total Tax, plus any Warnings.
  6. Read the warnings, then tap Download JSON. A message says Downloaded (file name).
  7. Switch to the GSTR-3B (Summary) tab to see taxable value, IGST, CGST, SGST, CESS and the amounts payable.

On the GSTR-3B summary, the Input Tax Credit (Purchases) block carries a note that it is illustrative. Until purchase invoices are linked, treat the credit and the payable figures as incomplete.

Part 2: Returns Workbench (GST > GST Returns Workbench)

Use the workbench for more return types and for a quarter at a time.

  1. Go to GST > GST Returns Workbench. The top badge shows Online or Offline, using cached data, and when the data was fetched.
  2. Set the Frequency (Monthly or Quarterly (QRMP)), then the Month or Quarter and the Year. A quarterly view adds up three months.
  3. Pick the return from the tabs: GSTR-1, IFF (QRMP), GSTR-1A, GSTR-2B, GSTR-3B, GSTR-4, GSTR-6 (ISD), GSTR-7 (TDS), GSTR-8 (TCS) or GSTR-9.
  4. Review the preview and the validation issues. Dates that fall outside the quarter, or are invalid, are listed. Download Issues CSV or Quarter date errors CSV to fix them.
  5. Export with Pretty JSON (easy to read), Minified JSON (portal-ready) or Excluded CSV + JSON. Download excluded CSV gives you the list of transactions left out for being outside the quarter.
  6. Upload the file on the GST portal.

The workbench keeps your last choices. Use Reset saved preferences to clear them.

Part 3: Reconcile with GSTR-2B (GST > GST Reconciliation)

  1. Download your GSTR-2B JSON file from the GST portal.
  2. Go to GST > GST Reconciliation. The page is called GSTR-2B Reconciliation.
  3. Under Upload GSTR-2B JSON, tap Select JSON File and choose the file. If the file has no usable entries you see No valid entries were found... Nothing was reconciled.
  4. The results show four groups: Matched, Mismatch, Missing in Books and Missing in Portal. Open a group to see the entries.
  5. Check GSTIN, invoice number, date, taxable value and tax for each mismatch. Fix your books, or ask the supplier to correct their filing.
  6. Tap Clear Results to start over.

Before you upload anything

  • Check the totals against your own sale book (Reports > Consolidated Sale Book).
  • Keep a copy of every file you upload.
  • Ask your accountant to review the first few months.