GST collections fall for second straight month in Feb, only 69% file returns

Around 59.51 lakh GSTR 3B returns were filed for the month of February till March 25, which accounts for only 69% of the total taxpayer base required to file monthly returns, according to a statement by the finance ministry.

GST collections slid for the second straight month in February, as only 69% of the assessees filed returns.

Till March 25, 1.05 crore taxpayers have been registered under GST. (Arun Sharma/HT PHOTO)

“The total revenue received under GST for the month of February 2018 (received up to March 26) has been ₹85,174 crore,” the finance ministry said in a statement.

Around 59.51 lakh GSTR 3B returns were filed for the month of February till March 25. This accounts for 69% of the total taxpayer base required to file monthly returns, according to the statement.

The collection in January was ₹86,318 crore, while in December and November it stood at ₹88,929 crore and ₹83,716 crore respectively.

Of the ₹85,174 crore collected as GST for the month of February, ₹14,945 crore have been garnered as Central GST (CGST) and ₹20,456 crore as State GST (SGST).

Besides, ₹42,456 crore has been collected as Integrated GST (IGST) and ₹7,317 crore as compensation cess.

A total amount of ₹25,564 crore is being transferred from IGST to CGST/SGST account by way of settlement.

Till March 25, 1.05 crore taxpayers have been registered under GST. Of these, 18.17 lakh are composition dealers which are required to file returns every quarter and the rest of 86.37 lakh taxpayers are required to file monthly returns.

According to a finance ministry reply to the Lok Sabha, GST collections were ₹93,590 crore in July, ₹93,029 crore in August, ₹95,132 crore in September and ₹85,931 crore in October.