Important GST Due Dates in 2026 You Should Not Miss
If you are a business owner, GST return filings are the most important and mandatory task of every business operating under India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST due dates can be confusing for startups and small businesses, and missing GST return deadlines may cause penalties, interest charges or blocked returns.
Even a small mistake in GST filings can create serious problems. That is why proper documentation and careful filings are very important. Taking expert help for GST compliance is always a smart choice. We help you collect all the correct documents required for filing and manage the entire GST process on your behalf, which saves your time, effort and stress.
In this blog, we will explain important GST due dates in 2026, types of GST returns and a month-wise GST due date calendar.
Key GST changes for the following year 2026-27
Taxpayers can file GST returns only within three years from the original due dates. This rule applies to all GST returns, including GSTR‑1, GSTR‑3B, GSTR‑4, GSTR‑5, GSTR‑5A, GSTR‑6, GSTR‑7, GSTR‑8, and GSTR‑9.
Once GSTR-3B is filed, tax liability becomes final and locked. Any correction related to outward supplies must be made through GSTR-1A, not by revising GSTR-3B
Input Tax Credit (ITC) can be claimed only when invoices are correctly reported by suppliers and reflected in the GST record.
Late returns can lead to late fees and interest, blocking of further returns, suspension or cancellation of GST registration.
Understanding the GST return filing process
GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a single indirect tax that applies to the supply of goods and services in India. Under the GST system, businesses are required to submit various GST returns based on their annual turnover and the nature of their business activity and transactions.
GSTR-1 (monthly): 11th of next month GSTR-1 (quarterly): 13th of month following quarter GSTR-3B (monthly): 20th of next month GSTR- 3B (quarterly): 22nd or 24th CMP-08: 18th of the month after the quarter GSTR-9: 31 December 2026 (for FY 2026-27)
January 2026 GST Filing Checklist
Invoice reconciliation ITC matching with GSTR-2B Tax payment confirmation Filing NIL returns if applicable
GST due date calendar 2026 (month-wise)
January 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (monthly- Dec 2025)
11 January 2026
GSTR-3B (monthly- Dec 2025)
20 January 2026
CMP-08 (Oct-Dec 2025)
18 January 2026
February 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Jan 2026)
11 February 2026
GSTR-3B (Jan 2026)
20 February 2026
March 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Feb 2026)
11 March 2026
GSTR-3B (Feb 2026)
20 March 2026
April 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Mar 2026)
11 January 2026
GSTR-3B (Mar 2026)
20 January 2026
CMP (Mar 2026)
18 January 2026
May 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Apr 2026)
11 May 2026
GSTR-3B (Apr 2026)
20 May 2026
June 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (May 2026)
11 June 2026
GSTR-3B (May 2026)
20 June 2026
July 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (June 2026)
11 January 2026
GSTR-3B (June 2026)
20 January 2026
CMP (June 2026)
18 January 2026
August 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Jul 2026)
11 August 2026
GSTR-3B (Jul 2026)
20 August 2026
September 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Aug 2026)
11 September 2026
GSTR-3B (Aug 2026)
20 September 2026
October 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Sep 2026)
11 October 2026
GSTR-3B (Sep 2026)
20 October 2026
CMP-08 (Jul-Sep 2026)
18 October 2026
November 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Nov 2026)
11 September 2026
GSTR-3B (Nov 2026)
20 September 2026
December 2026
RETURN TYPE
DUE DATE
GSTR-1 (Sep 2026)
11 October 2026
GSTR-3B (Sep 2026)
20 October 2026
CMP-08 (Jul-Sep 2026)
18 October 2026
GST due dates for quarterly (QRMP scheme)
GSTR-1 (quarterly)
QUARTER
DUE DATE
Jan-Mar 2026
13 April 2026
Apr-Jun 2026
13 July 2026
Jul-Sep 2026
13 Octomber 2026
Oct-Dec 2026
13 January 2026
GSTR-3B (quarterly)
QUARTER
DUE DATE
Jan-Mar 2026
22/24 April 2026
Apr-Jun 2026
22/24 July 2026
Jul-Sep 2026
22/24 Octomber 2026
Oct-Dec 2026
22/24 January 2026
Late fees and penalties for missing GST due dates
Late fees:
₹50 per day (₹25 CGST + ₹25 SGST)
₹20 per day for NIL returns
The maximum limit applies
Interest:
18% per annum on the tax amount
Other issues:
Input tax credit may be blocked
GST registration may be cancelled
Notice from the GST department
Who should be extra careful about GST due dates in 2026
Small business
Small businesses usually have limited staff and depend on owners or one person to handle accounts and GST work. Because of this, GST return filings and tax payments can sometimes get delayed. Even a small delay can lead to late fees and interest. January is also a busy month due to year-end planning, so small businesses can get expert help like IndiaCorporates.
Startups
Startups are often focused on building products, finding customers and managing expenses. Many startups also make frequent changes in their business activities, which can create confusion while filing returns and can create unnecessary penalties
Freelancers & service providers
Freelancers and service providers usually work with multiple clients. Payment may come at different times, and invoices may not always match exactly with GST records; this can cause errors in GST returns. To avoid this, you can use Invocreto invoicing software, which creates and manages GST-compliant invoices and downloads GSTR-1 reports for filings.
Businesses with multiple GST registrations
Businesses operating in more than one state have separate GST registrations for each location. Each registration has its own return filings and payment requirements. Managing multiple due dates increases the risk of mistakes or missed filings. Let us manage your multiple filings so you can be worry-free.
Final thoughts
To avoid mistakes, errors and penalties, we provide end-to-end compliance support for businesses of all sizes. Our team assists you with GST return filings from start to finish, with accuracy at every step
We help you collect and verify all required documents, such as sales invoices, purchase records and tax details, so that your GST returns are filed correctly and on time. Our experts handle the complete filing process on your behalf. We also provide regular follow-ups and due reminders so you never miss any GST filing deadlines. By choosing our GST compliance services, you can focus on running and growing your business while we take care of your GST filings, due dates and ongoing compliance requirements.
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