Accounts to GST turnover
Start from the turnover in the audited accounts and bridge it to the taxable value reported in the returns, item by item.
GSTR-9C · Reconciliation statement
GSTR-9C explained: prove your accounts match your GST returns.
For larger taxpayers, the annual return is not enough on its own. GSTR-9C reconciles your audited financial statements with the GST figures, line by line, and a CA or CMA certifies the result. This guide explains who must file, what the reconciliation covers, how certification works and how to avoid the differences that cause queries.
Last reviewed 17 October 2026 · Independent guidance, not a government service
01 / The basics
What GSTR-9C does
GSTR-9 tells the department what you reported across the year. GSTR-9C asks the next question: does that match what your audited accounts say you earned and spent? It is a bridge between two sets of numbers that should agree but rarely match exactly, because accounting and tax rules treat some items differently.
The statement sets out the turnover per the accounts, the turnover per the returns, and the items that explain the gap. Each explanation is a reconciling item. A clean statement is one where every item is accounted for, not one where the two figures are identical.
The reconciliation is only as good as the accounts.
If the audited statements change after the statement is prepared, the reconciliation has to be redone. Close and audit the books first.
02 / Who must file
The ₹5 crore threshold and related rules
| Situation | Position |
|---|---|
| Aggregate turnover up to ₹5 crore | GSTR-9C is not required. GSTR-9 may still apply above ₹2 crore. |
| Aggregate turnover above ₹5 crore | GSTR-9C must be filed with GSTR-9, certified by a CA or CMA. |
| Accounts not yet audited | The statement cannot be certified until the audited figures are final. |
| Composition taxpayer | Different annual rules apply. GSTR-9C is not the form for composition dealers. |
Count the aggregate turnover for the whole financial year across all your GSTINs under the same PAN, as the threshold applies to the aggregate, not to each registration.
03 / The reconciliation
How the reconciliation is built
The statement starts with the turnover in the audited financial statements and works through the adjustments needed to reach the GST turnover. Typical adjustments cover items that are income for accounts but not for GST, GST that is included in the accounts, credit notes, and exempt or non-taxable receipts.
Tax paid reconciliation
Reconcile the tax in the accounts with the tax paid through the returns, separately for each head, and explain any difference.
ITC reconciliation
Match the input tax credit in the books with the credit claimed in the year's returns, including reversals and ineligible credit.
Unreconciled items
Where a difference cannot be explained, the statement must show it. Hiding it creates more risk than disclosing it.
04 / Certification
The CA or CMA certification
The certifying accountant signs the statement to confirm that the reconciliation has been prepared from the audited figures and that the stated differences are supported. They are not signing off the whole business, so their role is narrow but important.
Give your certifier the final audited statements, the year's GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-2B records, your reconciling schedules and any credit or debit note registers. The better the working papers, the quicker and cheaper the certification.
05 / How to file
A practical filing sequence
- 01
Finalise the audit
Get the audited financial statements signed off before starting the reconciliation.
- 02
Prepare the bridge
Build the turnover and tax reconciliation between the accounts and the returns, with one line for each difference.
- 03
Support each item
Attach the working for each reconciling item, such as a credit note list, a reverse charge schedule or a timing schedule.
- 04
Get certified
Send the statement to the CA or CMA for review and certification before the due date.
- 05
File with GSTR-9
Upload the certified statement on the portal alongside the annual return and keep the acknowledgement.
06 / Avoid these
Common GSTR-9C mistakes
Starting before the audit is final
Changes to the accounts after the reconciliation force a rework. Wait for final figures.
Treating the threshold loosely
Counting only one GSTIN, or only part of the year, can put a taxpayer on the wrong side of the ₹5 crore line.
Unsupported reconciling items
A difference with no schedule behind it is the most common cause of queries after filing.
Late certification
A certifier who receives the papers late may not be able to sign in time. Plan the handover early.
Questions people ask
Frequently asked questions
What is GSTR-9C?
GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement. It compares the turnover and tax figures in your audited annual financial statements with the figures reported in your GST annual return, GSTR-9. It explains any difference between the two, so the department can see that the accounts and the returns tell the same story.
Who must file GSTR-9C?
A registered person whose aggregate turnover in the financial year is above ₹5 crore must file GSTR-9C, along with GSTR-9, and it must be certified by a chartered accountant or cost and management accountant. Below that threshold, the statement is not required.
Who can certify GSTR-9C?
A practising chartered accountant or cost and management accountant certifies the statement. The certifier relies on the audited accounts and the returns, so they will need the final audited figures and the full set of monthly returns before they can sign.
Is GSTR-9C the same as the audit?
No. The statutory audit is the audit of your financial statements under company or tax law. GSTR-9C is a separate reconciliation that uses the audited statements as its starting point. The certifier checks the reconciliation, not the whole audit.
What are the common differences in GSTR-9C?
Typical differences include the treatment of credit and debit notes, the timing of income and expense, exempt and non-GST income, reverse charge items, and differences between the books and the returns. Each difference should be explained in the statement, with its cause.
What is the due date for GSTR-9C?
GSTR-9C is generally due along with GSTR-9, around 31 December following the financial year. Deadlines can be extended by notification, so confirm the date on the portal before planning the audit.
Can the GSTR-9C figures differ from the GSTR-9 figures?
They should agree on the main totals, and the reconciliation explains any gap between the audited accounts and the GSTR-9 figures. A difference that is not explained is what causes the most queries, so keep working papers for each reconciling item.
What happens if I file GSTR-9C late?
A late GSTR-9C attracts a late fee under the GST annual return provisions, and the rules and any notified reduction for the year should be checked. Filing the audited statements and the reconciliation early keeps the fee and the workload down.
Can a company file GSTR-9C without an audit?
The reconciliation is built from the audited financial statements, so a complete audit of the accounts is needed in practice. Where the accounts are not finalised, the reconciliation cannot be certified properly, and the filing should wait until they are.
Is this page an official service?
No. GSTVibe is an independent guide and is not affiliated with GSTN or the tax department. We do not file returns or certify statements. Confirm the threshold, the form and the due date on the GST portal and in CBIC notifications, and speak to your CA.
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This guide is informational and is not legal or tax advice. GST rules, forms and portal steps change. Confirm the current position on the official GST portal (gst.gov.in) and CBIC sources, and speak to a qualified adviser about your own facts. GSTVibe is not affiliated with GSTN or the tax department.