In a major move towards GST taxpayers’ facilitation, the Govt. has decided to provide the facility of SMS filing of NIL statement of FORM GSTR-1 from 1st week of July 2020.
Taxpayers willing to file GSTR-1 or GSTR -3B have to send a SMS to 14409 to initiate the SMS facility. With the facility of SMS getting activated, now taxpayers with NIL liability need not log on to the GST Portal and may file their NIL statement in form GSTR-1 through a SMS. The status confirmation of the filed statement or return application can then be tracked on the GST Portal by logging into their GSTIN account.
How to fill NIL GSTR-1 form through SMS?
Step 1: Initiate the filing by sending an SMS to 14409 from your registered mobile number. The message should be as follows: NIL<space>R1<space>GSTIN number<space>Tax period in MMYYYY Example: NIL 3B 09XXXXXXXXXXXZC 052020.
The user will receive a six-digit validation code which will have a validity of 30 minutes.
Step 2: Confirm the NIL filing with another SMS:
CNF<space>R1<Space>Code (Example: CNF R1 123456)
On successful code validation, the return will be filed and taxpayers will receive an acknowledgement (ARN) number through SMS. The ARN code can be used to track the status of the return at www.gst.gov.in, by going to Services > Returns > Track Return Status.
By using similar step, taxpayers can file their NIL return in Form GSTR-3B also. however, they need to use 3B instead of R1 while sending their SMS to 14409.
For help, users can visit the Help section at www.gst.gov.in
Source: CBIC