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World desk6 min

How to Fix Common GST Return Mismatches and Avoid Filing Delays in India

Separate liability mismatches, ITC discrepancies, GSTR-1 errors and filing-sequence blocks before choosing a correction. Here’s how the Indian GST Portal’s routes work.
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To fix an Indian GST return mismatch, first identify which records differ and for which GSTIN and tax period. A GSTR-1/GSTR-3B liability discrepancy, an ITC mismatch, an incorrect GSTR-1 entry, a data-upload error and a blocked filing sequence are different problems, with different remedies. Reconcile the source records before changing a return or paying an amount, then use the relevant portal correction or response route.

The steps below reflect Goods and Services Tax Portal and CBIC guidance reviewed on 7 October 2026. Filing dates and portal flows can change, so verify the live return tile and any period-specific notification before acting.

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Identify what is mismatched before changing anything

Start with the GSTIN, tax period and the two records that do not agree. Keep outward liability and input tax credit (ITC) issues separate: a difference between GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B is not the same as a difference in a recipient’s ITC records and supplier-reported information.

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  • GSTR-1 versus GSTR-3B: Compare outward supplies and tax reported in GSTR-1 with the liability reported or discharged in GSTR-3B. The portal’s compliance route for this mismatch is DRC-01B.
  • ITC mismatch: Compare the recipient’s ITC records and claim with the relevant supplier-reported statement and return position. DRC-01C is the portal compliance route for an ITC mismatch.
  • Incorrect or omitted GSTR-1 entry: Check whether same-period GSTR-1A is available, or whether the correction must be made under the applicable subsequent-return amendment rules.
  • Portal validation or upload error: Check table totals, required fields and any upload error report. A portal message does not by itself establish that the underlying tax liability is wrong.
  • Blocked return tile: Check filing dependencies for earlier and same-period returns before treating the block as a new mismatch.

The portal explains DRC-01B and DRC-01C separately in its DRC-01B FAQ and DRC-01C FAQ.

Reconcile the records and portal data

Use the filed return data and books to locate the exact difference. Compare invoice number and date, recipient GSTIN, place or state of supply where relevant, taxable value, tax rate, tax amounts, and any credit or debit notes and amendments. GSTR-1 captures invoice-level supply details, and its table validations compare reported values; do not change a summary figure without checking the transactions behind it.

  1. Open or download the filed GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for the affected period, plus the relevant recipient statement if the issue concerns ITC.
  2. List the affected invoices, notes and amendments, then match each against the books and return data.
  3. Review portal validation messages and the upload status. If an error report was generated, download it and inspect the records it identifies.
  4. Check for duplicate supply invoices and validate recipient GSTINs. The portal guidance says duplicate invoices are not accepted and recommends checking recipient GSTIN validity.

The portal’s GSTR-1 creation manual describes warnings when Table 12 taxable values or tax amounts do not agree with totals across related supply tables, and identifies combinations of populated tables for which Table 13 is mandatory. Treat these as prompts to reconcile the underlying entries and required fields.

If the portal reports GSTR-1 “Data mismatch,” the known-issues guide says this can occur when no data or incomplete data was uploaded for the period and recommends uploading complete data. The GSTR-1 guidance also explains how to download an upload error report and correct records using the offline tool.

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Choose the correction route based on return status

The key question is whether GSTR-3B for the affected period has been filed. GSTR-1A is not a way to revise an already-filed GSTR-3B.

Situation What to check Relevant route
GSTR-1 is still being prepared Correct the source entry, required fields, table totals or upload file before filing. Fix the GSTR-1 data and resolve any portal validation or upload errors.
GSTR-1 is filed; same-period GSTR-3B is not filed Check whether the optional same-period GSTR-1A facility is available. GSTR-1A can amend records or add omitted records once for the period before that period’s GSTR-3B is filed.
Same-period GSTR-3B is already filed, or the correction concerns an earlier period Check the applicable subsequent-return amendment rules and the relevant cutoff. Do not assume GSTR-1A can revise the filed GSTR-3B; consult the applicable rules and portal guidance.

GSTR-1A becomes available after GSTR-1 has been filed or its due date has passed, whichever is later. If a supplier uses it to amend or add records, those changes auto-populate into that supplier’s GSTR-3B. For the recipient, ITC for supplies declared or amended through GSTR-1A appears in the next tax period’s GSTR-2B, not the same period’s GSTR-2B. This timing can account for an apparent month-to-month difference.

For previous-financial-year invoices, the portal guidance says additions and amendments to GSTR-1 are not allowed after 30 November of the following financial year. Check the applicable period and rules before relying on a correction window. See the portal’s GSTR-1 guidance, including GSTR-1A, and CBIC’s Sectoral FAQs.

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Respond to a DRC-01B or DRC-01C intimation

If the portal has issued an intimation, use the compliance path for that form and follow the instructions in the notice. A mismatch alone is not a reason to pay automatically: first reconcile the returns and books, check whether a correction is available, and assess the actual intimation and applicable requirements.

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DRC-01B: GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B liability mismatch

The portal FAQ says monthly filers may receive DRC-01B after monthly GSTR-3B and QRMP filers after quarterly GSTR-3B, as applicable. The portal route is Services > Returns > Return Compliance > Liability Mismatch DRC-01B.

If responding with DRC-03 payment details, check the DRC-01B FAQ: the ARN must relate to the same GSTIN and relevant period; the DRC-03 must have been filed on or after DRC-01B Part A; and the payment cause must be “Liability mismatch – GSTR-1 to GSTR-3B”. The FAQ says that after Part B is filed, GSTR-1/IFF can be filed instantly. If the filing screen still has an issue, it suggests logging out and back in after a few minutes.

DRC-01C: ITC mismatch

DRC-01C concerns ITC mismatch. The portal FAQ describes filing Part B on a monthly or quarterly basis according to GSTR-3B filing frequency. If using DRC-03 payment details in a response, verify the ARN against the same GSTIN and intimation, issuance timing, payment cause and tax period. The form’s response mechanics do not establish that a particular discrepancy must always be claimed, reversed or paid; assess the records, applicable law and notice.

Read the relevant official instructions: DRC-01B FAQ and DRC-01C FAQ.

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Check filing dependencies and due dates

A filing block can reflect a prerequisite rather than a fresh mismatch. The portal describes dependencies between prior-period GSTR-1/GSTR-3B filings and the same-period returns; in general, the same period’s GSTR-1 must be filed before its GSTR-3B. Check the specific period and filing frequency in the portal before retrying.

The portal guidance gives the general GSTR-1 due date as the 11th day of the succeeding month for monthly filers and the 13th day of the month following the quarter for quarterly filers, unless the Government extends the date by notification. Confirm the live period tile and relevant notification; do not treat these general dates as guaranteed deadlines for every period.

For a blocked GSTR-1/IFF after responding to DRC-01B or DRC-01C, follow the relevant form’s FAQ and make sure Part B is filed correctly. For all other blocks, resolve any outstanding prerequisite return and check the portal’s period-specific filing instructions.

Keep a record of the resolution

Retain the reconciliation working, source invoices and notes, filed return PDFs, portal intimation, upload error report if applicable, payment ARN if one was used, and final acknowledgement or ARN. These records help connect the correction or response to the transactions and period involved.

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