“Download Your September 2017 Return Data Before 30th September 2024”
Yes, as per the GST portal’s data retention policy, taxpayers should be aware that GST return data is retained on the portal for a period of seven years only. After this period, data will be archived and will no longer be available for viewing or downloading.
Starting from 1st October 2024, the return data for September 2017 will be removed from the GST portal. This process will continue monthly, meaning the data from subsequent months will also be archived after crossing the seven-year threshold.
Key Details:
- Archival Schedule: The GST portal will archive data month by month, starting with September 2017 on 1st October 2024.
- Data Retention Period: Return data will be available for seven years from the date of filing.
- Data Archival Process: This will be an ongoing monthly activity. For example, data for October 2017 will be archived on 1st November 2024, and so on.
Action Required: Taxpayers are advised to:
- Download and save their return data for September 2017 before 30th September 2024.
- Review and secure data for subsequent months as per the archival schedule.
Once the data has been archived, it will not be accessible on the GST portal, and retrieval options will no longer be available. Therefore, it is highly recommended to take prompt action to avoid any inconvenience in the future. Please ensure you have a proper backup of your data for compliance, audit, and financial record-keeping purposes.
The GST data archival policy highlights the increasing importance of proactive data management for businesses and taxpayers. While the seven-year retention period is standard, it raises concerns about long-term access to essential financial records. Taxpayers, particularly small businesses, may find it challenging to stay on top of data backups and may risk losing critical information needed for audits, compliance, or historical analysis. This policy reinforces the need for regular data downloads and secure storage systems outside the GST portal. In an era where data is vital for decision-making and accountability, more flexible retention options could be beneficial to help taxpayers manage their records more efficiently – JSPCO
