GST Filing Blocked for Pending Returns Over Three Years Old from November 2025

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), the technology provider for India's indirect tax system, has issued a crucial advisory. Effective from the November 2025 tax period, the GST portal will stop accepting filings for any GST returns that are three years or older from their original due date and remain unfiled. This means that by December 1, 2025, returns such as monthly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B that were due in October 2022, and the annual GSTR-9 for the fiscal year 2020-21, will become time-barred and cannot be filed.

This policy is a consequence of amendments made to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law in 2023, which introduced time limits for filing tax returns. The government's intention is to enforce stricter compliance and ensure that taxpayers settle their tax liabilities within a stipulated period.

Impact This advisory will compel businesses to clear their backlog of pending GST returns immediately to avoid being permanently barred from filing. Failure to do so could lead to significant compliance issues and potential penalties. The government aims to streamline tax administration and improve revenue collection by ensuring timely filings. The impact on businesses needing to reconcile and file old returns could be substantial, requiring dedicated effort and resources. Rating: 7/10

Difficult terms explained: GSTN: Goods and Services Tax Network. It is the organization that manages the IT infrastructure for India's indirect tax system, including the GST portal. GST: Goods and Services Tax. An indirect tax levied on the supply of goods and services in India. GSTR-1: A monthly or quarterly return that summarizes outward supplies (sales) of a taxpayer. GSTR-3B: A self-declaration return where taxpayers report their consolidated tax liability and payment details for a particular period. GSTR-9: An annual return that summarizes the details of outward and inward supplies, input tax credit, and tax paid during the financial year.