SmartLedger files GSTR-1 on the GST portal for you. The File Return step takes you through the same stages as the portal: save the data, check it, submit it and file it with an electronic verification code (EVC). Nothing is final until you enter the EVC OTP.
Before you start
- Finish the Add Invoices and Review Summary steps. See Preparing your GSTR-1.
- Connect to the GST portal. The filing header shows GST Portal: Connected or GST Portal: Disconnected. Click the badge to connect.
- Keep the authorised signatory's registered mobile handy for the EVC OTP.
File a regular return
Under Save GSTR-1 on portal, click Save on portal.
SmartLedger maps your entries to the portal format and saves them on the portal. This does not file the return.
Under Check for errors, click Run checks.
If rows are flagged, fix them in the Add Invoices step and save again.
Under Proceed to file, click Proceed to file.
This locks the saved data on the portal. The Portal summary then loads the records, value and tax for each section. Check it against your review.
Under Verify & file, check the PAN for EVC.
It is filled in from your GSTIN. Change it if the authorised signatory's PAN is different.
Click Send OTP, then enter the 6-digit OTP sent to the registered mobile.
Click Verify & file.
When filing succeeds, Filing complete shows your acknowledgement reference number (ARN). Click View success page, then View filed return.
If Verify & file stays greyed out, the line under it tells you what's missing, such as completing Proceed to file or entering the OTP.
File a nil return
If you started the filing with Nil as the return type, click Go to File Return. There are only three steps: Proceed to file Nil GSTR-1, Verify & file with the EVC OTP, and Filing complete.
If the portal reports a problem
- The portal returned row-level errors — the step lists the flagged rows. Fix them in Add Invoices, click Reset on portal to clear the portal copy, then click Re-save on portal.
- OTP session expired or Maximum portal sessions reached — click Reconnect to portal.
- PAN is not an authorised signatory for this GSTIN — click Edit PAN and enter the right PAN.
- GSTR-1 is already filed for this period — click View filed return.
After filing
- The month shows as FILED on the GSTR-1 overview and appears in Filing History.
- Click View return to see the ARN, the filing timeline and the reported sections: B2B Invoices, B2C Small (rate-wise), Credit / Debit Notes, Exports, HSN Summary and Nil-Rated / Exempt / Non-GST. Use Print for a paper or PDF copy.
- You can now file GSTR-3B for the month.
Tips
- Filing uses EVC only. Filing with a digital signature certificate (DSC) isn't available.
- A filed GSTR-1 can't be changed. Report corrections in a later return with the amendment tables, such as B2BA.
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