Affordable GST Filing Service: ClearTax Alternative (₹800/month)
Best GST filing services at ₹800/month (ClearTax alternative): GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B with ITC optimization & reconciliation. Trusted by 500+ businesses. Flat fee, no per-filing surprises. Same-day filing, zero penalties.
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What Changed in 2026
Three updates every monthly filer should act on
GSTR-3B is now hard-validated. The GST portal blocks submission when the ITC you claim exceeds the ITC reflected in your GSTR-2B. Filing from your purchase register and reconciling later no longer works, so 2B reconciliation has to happen before the 20th. See our guide on the [Zero Mismatch Policy blocking GSTR-3B](/blog/gstr-3b-blocked-zero-mismatch-policy-2026).
IMS deemed acceptance is live. Every supplier invoice appears in the Invoice Management System for you to accept, reject, or keep pending before GSTR-2B is generated. Inaction counts as acceptance. Read [how IMS changes the GST workflow](/blog/ims-invoice-management-system-mandatory-gst-2026).
GST 2.0 rates apply. The four-tier structure (0%, 5%, 18%, 40%) has been in force since 22 September 2025; the 12% and 28% slabs were removed. If you billed any post-change supply at an old rate, issue a revised invoice or credit note to keep your buyer's GSTR-2B clean.
What Is GST Return Filing (GSTR)?
Understanding GSTR
GSTR (GST Return) is your monthly tax compliance report filed with GST authorities. It includes:
GSTR-1: Sales invoices report (who you sold to)
GSTR-3B: Summary of sales, purchases, GST liability, and tax payment
Both forms must be filed by deadlines (11th & 20th respectively) to maintain GST compliance.
Applicable Law & Timeline
Law: GST Act 2017, GST Rules 2017, GST portal regulations
Filing Deadlines (FY 2026-27):
- GSTR-1: 11th of following month (5% late fee if missed)
- GSTR-3B: 20th of following month (₹100-500/day penalty)
- GSTR-9: Annual return by 31st December
Authority: GST Portal (https://www.gst.gov.in)
Who Needs Monthly GST Filing?
For All GST-Registered Businesses
Mandatory if:
- You have active GSTIN
- You made any sales in the month
- You received any invoices
Frequency:
- Monthly for GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B (regular filers)
- Quarterly for GSTR-3B (composition scheme)
Penalty for Non-Filing:
- ₹500/day up to ₹25,000 (per return)
- Criminal prosecution possible
- GST credit blocked
GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B: Understanding the Difference
| Aspect | GSTR-1 | GSTR-3B | Filing By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Report all sales invoices | Summary of tax liability | Both mandatory |
| Data Required | Invoice-wise sales details | Total sales, purchases, tax | Both mandatory |
| Deadline | 11th of next month | 20th of next month | Strictly enforced |
| Late Filing Penalty | 5% of tax (max ₹25,000) | ₹100-500/day | Cumulative penalties |
Step-by-Step GSTR Filing Process
Step 1: Data Preparation (1-2 Days)
1. Collect all sales invoices from the month
2. Collect all purchase invoices/bills
3. Reconcile with bank statements
4. Identify GST-liable and exempted transactions
Your Action: Share invoice copies and bank statements
Step 2: GSTR-1 Filing (Same Day)
1. Log into GST Portal
2. Upload sales invoice data
3. System validates entries
4. Generate ARN (acknowledgment)
Our Action: We fill and submit online
Step 3: GSTR-3B Reconciliation (1-2 Days)
1. Verify GSTR-1 acceptance
2. Calculate input tax credit (ITC)
3. Determine GST liability
4. File GSTR-3B with tax liability
Our Action: Complete reconciliation
Step 4: Tax Payment & Confirmation (Before 20th)
1. Calculate final GST amount
2. Generate payment challan
3. Pay via bank/e-payment
4. File GSTR-3B with payment proof
Our Action: Ensure on-time payment
GSTR Filing Timeline & Deadlines
| Task | Timeline | Deadline | Penalty if Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collect invoices | Throughout month | EOM | None |
| File GSTR-1 | 1-2 days after month-end | 11th of next month | 5% of tax due (max ₹25,000) |
| File GSTR-3B | 2-3 days after month-end | 20th of next month | ₹100-500/day |
| Pay GST | Before GSTR-3B filing | 20th of next month | Interest @ 24% p.a. + penalty |
GSTR Filing Fees & Pricing
Tax Garden Monthly GST Filing Services
| Service | Price | Includes | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly GSTR Filing | ₹800/month | GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B | Same month |
| Quarterly Bundle | ₹2,100/quarter | 3 months filing | On schedule |
| Annual Plan | ₹8,000/year | 12 months + annual return | All deadlines |
| Add-On: ITC Optimization | ₹500/month | Maximum input credit claimed | Included in filing |
| Add-On: Reconciliation Support | ₹300/month | Monthly bank reconciliation | With filing |
Zero government fees. All charges are professional service fees.
Common GSTR Filing Mistakes
Mistake 1: Missing Invoices in GSTR-1
What goes wrong:
- Not reporting all sales invoices
- GST officer finds discrepancy in GSTR-3B
- Demand notice for unpaid tax + interest
How to avoid:
- Report all invoices (exempt and non-exempt)
- Match with bank deposits
- Use invoice tracking system
Mistake 2: Wrong ITC Claim
What goes wrong:
- Claiming input credit on non-taxable purchases
- Audit notice with demand for refund
- Interest penalties on wrongly claimed ITC
How to avoid:
- Only claim ITC on eligible purchases
- Keep supporting invoices
- Get professional advice on eligibility
Mistake 3: Late Payment
What goes wrong:
- File GSTR-3B but don't pay GST
- 24% annual interest + penalties
- Bank account flagged by GST authority
How to avoid:
- Pay GST before 20th of month
- Set payment reminders
- We can automate payment
GSTR-Related Penalties & Legal Consequences
| Violation | Penalty | Consequence | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late GSTR-1 Filing | 5% of tax due (max ₹25,000) | Block on GSTR-3B filing | File by 11th |
| Late GSTR-3B Filing | ₹100-500/day | GST credit blocked, ITC revoked | File by 20th |
| Wrong ITC Claim | Interest (24% p.a.) + 50% penalty | Demand notice, audit | Verify eligibility |
| GST Non-Payment | Interest (24% p.a.) + 10% penalty | Prosecution possible | Pay on time |
Tax Garden vs ClearTax: Affordable GST Filing Comparison
Why Businesses Switch From ClearTax to Tax Garden
ClearTax Pricing Challenges:
- GSTR-1 software: ₹4,000+ per quarter
- GSTR-3B filing: ₹2,400+ per month
- ITC consultation: ₹1,000-₹2,000 additional
- No monthly cap; charges add up
- Total annual: ₹36,000-₹50,000+
Tax Garden Flat Model:
- ₹800/month covers GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B
- ITC optimization included (no extra charge)
- Reconciliation included
- Same-day filing support
- Total annual: ₹9,600 (71% cheaper than ClearTax)
Result: Businesses save ₹27,000-₹40,000/year by switching to Tax Garden's affordable GST filing service.
Best GST Filing Service for Your Business Size
Small Business (₹0-₹1Cr): Tax Garden ₹800/month = ₹9,600/year. ClearTax ₹36K+/year. Tax Garden is 3-4x cheaper for startups and small traders.
Mid-Market (₹1-₹5Cr): Tax Garden ₹2,100/month (multi-GSTIN plan) = ₹25,200/year. Includes ITC optimization, reconciliation, payment handling. ClearTax quotes ₹50K-₹75K+ for this volume. Tax Garden saves ₹25K-₹50K annually.
Large Business (₹5Cr+): Tax Garden custom plans start ₹4,200+/month. Still undercuts ClearTax's enterprise pricing by 40-50%. Plus dedicated account manager.
Verdict: Across all business sizes, Tax Garden's affordable GST filing service is the ClearTax alternative that saves money without cutting corners on accuracy or compliance.
Government Forms & GST Portal References
| Form | Purpose | Filing Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSTR-1 | Sales invoices report | 11th of next month | GST Portal |
| GSTR-3B | Monthly tax liability | 20th of next month | GST Portal |
| GSTR-9 | Annual return | 31st Dec (after FY) | GST Portal |
| GSTR-9C | Audit reconciliation (>₹2Cr) | 31st Dec | GST Portal |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B?
GSTR-1 reports all your sales (invoice details). GSTR-3B is the tax summary (sales - purchases = GST liability). File both monthly.
What's the penalty for filing GSTR late?
GSTR-1: 5% of tax (max ₹25,000). GSTR-3B: ₹100-500/day. Plus interest on unpaid GST.
When should I file GSTR?
GSTR-1 by 11th of next month, GSTR-3B by 20th of next month. Miss either = penalty.
What is ITC (Input Tax Credit)?
Tax you paid on business purchases can be claimed as credit against your GST liability. GSTR-3B shows this calculation.
Do I need to file if I have no sales?
Yes. File nil GSTR even with zero sales to maintain compliance. Failure = penalty.
Can I file GSTR manually without software?
Technically yes via GST Portal, but it's error-prone. We automate it to ensure accuracy.
What happens if I don't file GSTR?
₹500/day penalty (₹25,000 max per return), ITC revoked, credit blocked, prosecution possible.
How do I calculate my GSTR-3B tax amount?
Sales GST - Purchase GST - ITC = Tax to pay. We do this calculation in your filing.
Can I amend a filed GSTR?
Yes, within 30 days file GSTR amendment. After 30 days, credit note needed.
What documents do I need for GSTR filing?
Sales invoices, purchase invoices, bank statements, credit/debit notes. That's it.
Do I pay GST after filing GSTR-3B?
Yes. GSTR-3B shows the amount due. You generate a challan and pay before filing deadline.
Is GST filing monthly or quarterly?
Monthly filing (GSTR-1 & 3B) for most. Quarterly only for composition scheme businesses.
Can we file GSTR in bulk for previous months?
Yes, we can file back-filings (catch-up). Penalties still apply but we minimize interest.
What if my GSTR-1 and bank statements don't match?
Reconcile: invoices should match deposits. Outstanding invoices need reconciliation.
How does ITC reconciliation work in GSTR-3B?
ITC claimed = Input invoices received. We match GSTR-2A with your actual purchases.
What's GSTR-2A and how is it used?
GSTR-2A shows invoices from your vendors. Match with your actual purchases for ITC.
Can you help with ITC optimization?
Yes. We identify all eligible purchases and maximize your input credit claims (₹500/month add-on).
What if I have exempt sales in GSTR-1?
Report separately in GSTR-1. Exempt sales don't attract GST. ITC on their cost may be denied.
Do I need annual GSTR-9?
Yes, file GSTR-9 (annual return) by 31st December. If turnover >₹2 crore, also file GSTR-9C with audit.
Which is the best GST return filing software in India?
The best GST filing approach depends on your complexity. Self-serve software (ClearTax, TaxBuddy) works if you have an accountant. Managed services (Tax Garden) are better if you want someone else to handle it end-to-end. For simplicity and accuracy, managed filing eliminates the learning curve.
Which is the best portal to file GST returns?
The official GST portal (gst.gov.in) is mandatory for all filings, but using it solo requires accounting knowledge. Tax Garden uses the GST portal on your behalf with compliance validation, reconciliation, and error-proofing built in; we reduce rejection risk.
How do freelancers file GST returns?
Freelancers with GSTIN file GSTR-1 (services invoiced) and GSTR-3B (tax liability) monthly. If turnover <₹20 lakh, file quarterly instead. Tax Garden handles freelancer GST filing (GSTR-1, 3B, ITC tracking) at ₹800/month; no need to learn the portal yourself.
How much is your GST filing service?
₹800/month for GSTR-1 & GSTR-3B. ₹2,100/quarter for quarterly plans. ITC optimization ₹500/month add-on.
I missed ITR deadline (July 31). Can I still file?
Yes. File ITR-U (Updated Return) by 31 December 2026 to avoid prosecution risk. ITR-U allows voluntary correction without criminal penalty. After 31 December, only belated returns are allowed (filed after 31 July 2027), which triggers prosecution for concealed income. Tax Garden handles urgent same-day ITR-U filings.
Why Hyderabad Businesses Choose Tax Garden for GST Compliance
Based in Kondapur, we serve Hyderabad's growing business ecosystem with accurate, on-time GSTR filing. From HITEC City startups to established businesses in Gachibowli, Financial District, and Madhapur, 500+ companies trust us for diligent GST compliance. Stay ahead of every deadline, optimize your GST, and reduce exposure to penalties.
Related Resources
Related Blog Posts
Resource Guides
Why Tax Garden for GST Return Filing?
Reliable on-time filing to reduce exposure to late penalties
Careful reconciliation: 500+ monthly returns processed
ITC optimization: maximize your input credit claims
Bank reconciliation included: verify every deposit
Automatic payment reminders: never miss GST due date
Same-day filing support: file within 2-3 days of month-end
Kondapur office for easy accessibility and queries
Lifetime compliance support beyond just filing
Questions? Our team is here to help.