Annual GST Return Exemption and Aggregate Turnover
| Financial Year | Relevant Provision/Notification | Threshold for Exemption from Annual Return (Aggregate Turnover) | Requirement for Others |
| 2017-18 to 2019-20 | Section 44 CGST Act, read with Notifications no. 47-2020-Central Tax, dated 9-10-19 | Up to 2 Crore (exemption notified) | Mandatory filing of GSTR-9 (Annual Return) |
| 2020-21 | Section 44 CGST Act, Notifications continued exemption for 2 Cr Turnover Notification no. 31-2021- Central Tax, Dated 30-07-21 | Up to 2 Crore (continued exemption) | Mandatory filing of GSTR-9 for turnover > 2 Crore |
| 2021-22 | Section 44 CGST Act, Notification no. 10/2022-Central Tax, dated 5-7-22 | Up to 2 Crore (continued exemption) | Mandatory filing of GSTR-9 for turnover > 2 Crore |
| 2022-23 onwards for 2023-24 | Section 44 CGST Act, Notification no. 32/2023-Central Tax, dated 31-7-23 | Up to 2 Crore (continued exemption) | Mandatory filing of GSTR-9 for turnover > 2 Crore |
| 2024-25 onwards | Notification No. 15/2025 – Central Tax dated 17.09.2025 | Up to 2 Crore (continued exemption confirmed for FY 2024-25 onwards) | Mandatory filing of GSTR-9 for turnover > 2 Crore |
Relevant Provisions in the CGST Act, 2017
- Section 2(6) – Aggregate Turnover
- “Aggregate turnover” means the aggregate value of all taxable supplies (excluding the value of inward supplies on which tax is payable by a person on reverse charge basis), exempt supplies, exports of goods or services or both, and inter-State supplies of persons having the same PAN, to be computed on all-India basis but excludes central tax, State tax, Union territory tax, integrated tax, and cess.
👉 This definition is crucial because thresholds for return filing exemptions, registration, and compliance are always linked to aggregate turnover.
- Section 44 – Annual Return
- Every registered person, other than an Input Service Distributor, a person paying tax under section 51 or section 52, a casual taxable person, and a non-resident taxable person, shall furnish an annual return for every financial year electronically in such form and manner as may be prescribed.
👉 The first proviso to Section 44(1) empowers the Government, on Council’s recommendation, to exempt any class of registered persons from filing the annual return. This is the basis for Notification No. 15/2025 – Central Tax dated 17.09.2025 which exempts persons with aggregate turnover up to ₹2 crore from FY 2024-25 onwards
The above compilation is made for educational purpose only. Please refer to the original notification before relying on any information. Click here to original notification.
