As per the Provision of Section 44(1) of the CGST Act 2017, Every Registered Person is required to file an Annual Return for every financial year except the following persons :
(a). Casual Taxable Person (b). Non-Resident Taxable Person (c). Person Paying Tax U/s 51 ( TDS Deductor ) (d). Person Paying Tax U/s 52 ( TCS Collector ) (e). Input Service Distributor ( ISD ).
However a relaxation was provided by the Government in filing Annual Return for FY 2017-18 and 2018-19 for the Small Taxpayers. As per Notification No. 47/2019 - Central Tax, dated 09th October 2019 read with Circular No. 124/43/2019 - GST, dated 18th November 2019, Annual Return ( FORM GSTR-9 ) under Section 44(1) of the CGST Act 2017 for "FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19" has been made "OPTIONAL" for the taxpayers having Aggregate Turnover upto Rs. 2 crores.
So for the Small Taxpayers ( Aggregate Turnover upto Rs. 2 crores ), it is "OPTIONAL" to file Annual Return for FY 17-18 & 18-19.
If Annual Return is not filed by the taxable person on or before the due date, then it shall be "deemed to be filed" on the due date.
For FY 2018-19, the due date to file Annual Return is 31st October 2020 as per Notification No. 69/2020, Central Tax, dated 30th September 2020.