GST Filing 2025: Rules, Claims, and What You Need to Know

When you run a business in India, GST filing, the process of reporting sales, taxes collected, and credits claimed under India’s Goods and Services Tax system. Also known as tax return filing under GST, it’s not just paperwork—it’s what keeps your business legal and eligible for refunds. If you skip it, you risk fines. If you do it wrong, you lose money. In 2025, the rules are tighter, the deadlines are stricter, and the government is using better tools to catch mistakes.

GST claims, the process of getting back taxes you paid on business purchases like raw materials, equipment, or services. Also known as input tax credit, this is where most businesses save thousands each year. But you can’t just claim it—you have to match your supplier’s records, file on time, and keep clean invoices. One mismatch, and your refund gets stuck. The system now auto-compares your GSTR-3B with your supplier’s GSTR-1. If they didn’t file, you can’t claim. No exceptions.

GST refund, the money the government returns to you when you’ve paid more tax than you owe. Also known as GST credit refund, it’s not automatic. You have to ask for it. Most businesses think they’ll get it within 60 days. In reality, delays are common—especially if your documents are messy or your turnover is high. The 2025 updates require digital signatures on every refund application and stricter proof of export documentation for exporters. If you’re in manufacturing or trading, this affects you directly.

And don’t forget GST registration, the legal requirement to enroll in the GST system once your annual turnover crosses ₹40 lakh (₹20 lakh for special category states). Many small businesses wait too long, then get hit with penalties. Others register but forget to file monthly returns. The system doesn’t care if you’re busy—it just flags you as non-compliant. In 2025, the government is linking GST registration to bank accounts and PAN. No filing? Your bank might freeze transactions.

What you’ll find below are real guides from businesses that got it right—or paid for their mistakes. One post breaks down exactly how to fix a rejected GST refund claim. Another shows how a small retailer saved ₹1.2 lakh in a year by claiming input tax credit properly. There’s a step-by-step for new businesses filing GST for the first time, and a warning about the 2025 deadline changes that caught even experienced accountants off guard.

This isn’t theory. It’s what happens when you open your GST portal in January 2025 and realize you missed a deadline. You don’t need a CA to get this right—you just need clear, no-fluff instructions. And that’s exactly what’s here.