B. Installation of the Returns Offline Tool

Once the download of the Returns Offline tool is complete, you need to install these downloaded files on your machine.

  1. Unzip the downloaded files and extract the files from the downloaded zip folder gst_offline_tool.zip. Zip folder consists of the following files as shown in the screenshot
    below.
  • GST Offline tool.exe file for the Returns Offline tool need to be installed in the local machine (your computer)
  • Section_wise_CSV_files folder which contains .csv file (to upload invoice data entered in the respective files, of all sections, one-by-one for respective tables)
    Note: CSV file contains some sample data which has been provided for reference purpose only. Sample Data must be deleted before filling the actual data in the
    template.
  • FORM GSTR-1_Excel_Workbook_Template.xlsx file (to import invoice data entered in the respective worksheets, of all sections, at one go)
  • Readme.txt file that explains in detail the prerequisites for the Returns Offline tool
  • Invoice Upload Offline tool User Manual detailing out the guidance for taxpayers to use Returns Offline tool.
    Note: Save Excel file and CSV files on your machine as these contain the templates in which data can be entered to be used by the Returns Offline tool.
    Note:
  • The taxpayer can fill the excel workbook template only for the applicable sections of the return and then import the excel file to the offline tool.
  • In a case the taxpayer does not have data for all sections, those sections can be left blank and the offline tool will take the data from the filled in sections only.
  • If the taxpayer have opted for quarterly filing of Form GSTR-1/ IFF then they have to enter data only for 4 sections for M1 and M2: B2B, SEZ, DE (4A, 4B, 6A, 6C), 9B – Credit/ Debit Notes (Registered), 9A – Amended B2B Invoices & 9C – Amended Credit/ Debit Notes (Registered.) Rest of the sections data have to be deleted from the excel workbook. Taxpayer need to file Form GSTR-1 for M3.
  • The data in the excel file must be in the specified format and in respective sections.