Worked Solution
✓ VerifiedQRMP Scheme – Conditions, Restrictions and Exercise of Option
A) CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS OF QRMP SCHEME:
Eligibility Condition: The QRMP (Quarterly Return Monthly Payment) scheme is available to registered dealers whose aggregate turnover (including exempt supplies) in a financial year does not exceed ₹5 crores. This is the primary eligibility criterion, and once the turnover exceeds this limit, the dealer loses the right to continue with QRMP.
Key Restrictions:
1. No switching back within FY: Once a dealer exercises the option to opt for QRMP, they cannot revert to normal monthly return filing (GSTR-3B) in the same financial year. The option remains valid throughout the FY in which it is exercised.
2. Continuation requirement: The dealer must file quarterly returns (once every 3 months) for the entire financial year. Partial exercise is not permitted.
3. Turnover breach: If at any point during the FY the aggregate turnover exceeds ₹5 crores, the dealer must immediately switch to normal return filing and loses the QRMP option.
4. Monthly tax payment: Despite filing quarterly returns, the dealer must pay tax on a monthly basis (as per GST liability).
5. No re-option in same FY: If a dealer withdraws from QRMP or loses eligibility during a FY, they cannot re-exercise the option in the same financial year.
B) MANNER OF EXERCISING OPTION OF QRMP SCHEME:
Method of Exercise: The dealer exercises the QRMP option by filing the first return under QRMP for the applicable quarter. The option is deemed to be exercised from the date of filing the first quarterly return.
For Mr. Sumit's Specific Situation:
1. Outstanding returns: Sumit should file returns for May and June (which he has not filed). These can be filed even after the due date, though applicable interest and late fees may be applicable under GST provisions.
2. Timing of option: After filing May-June returns, Sumit can exercise the QRMP option by filing his first quarterly return (typically for the quarter April-June or July-September, depending on when he makes the filing).
3. Exercise formality: The option requires no separate application. It is exercised simply by filing the quarterly return instead of monthly returns. The return filing itself constitutes exercise of the option.
4. Continuance: Once the option is exercised, it remains valid for the rest of the financial year automatically, and Sumit must continue filing quarterly returns (GSTR-3B once every 3 months) and making monthly tax payments.
5. Withdrawal: Sumit can voluntarily withdraw from QRMP by giving notice and reverting to normal monthly return filing, but cannot re-exercise the option in the same FY.
Write it like this
1The skeleton
- Split into Part A and Part B with bold headings immediately — the question is two-part and the examiner awards marks per part, so don't blend them or you lose easy marks on structure.
- Open Part A with the ₹5 crore turnover threshold in line 1 — this is the eligibility anchor; if it's buried after three lines of explanation, the examiner may not tick it.
- List restrictions as numbered points: (i) monthly tax payment despite quarterly filing, (ii) no switching back in same FY, (iii) turnover breach triggers exit — these are the three checkboxes the model answer expects, write them clean and fast.
- Open Part B by stating 'no separate application is required' — the option is exercised by filing the first quarterly return itself; this single line is worth a dedicated tick.
- End with Sumit's specific situation: pending May/June returns must be filed first before QRMP kicks in — the question planted this detail deliberately; if you ignore it, you're leaving a direct application mark on the table.
2Examiner-rewarded phrases
3Common trap
Most students write a general note about QRMP but completely skip Sumit's unfiled May-June returns — that's the practical twist the question is testing and it's likely worth 1 of the 3 marks. Also watch out: don't say 'file an application to opt into QRMP' — there is no separate application, and writing that shows you've confused QRMP with composition scheme opt-in.