Flexible GST Return Exports in TallyPrime 6.1: A Complete Overview

Published on: 14-07-2025

Flexible GST Return Exports in TallyPrime 6.1: A Complete Overview

With each update, TallyPrime evolves to simplify the complex financial, statutory, and taxation processes businesses face in India. One such significant enhancement in TallyPrime 6.1 is the Flexible GST Return Exports feature. This capability directly addresses a common challenge faced by businesses, tax consultants, and chartered accountants—managing and exporting GST returns in multiple formats with accuracy and flexibility.

In this article, we’ll explore what this feature offers, how it improves your workflow, and why it’s an important upgrade for anyone filing GST returns using Tally.

 Why Flexible Exporting Matters

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand the problem it solves.

Filing GST returns (like GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-4, GSTR-9, etc.) often involves different filing platforms:

• The GSTN portal
• Offline utilities provided by the government
• Third-party software
• Excel sheets used internally for review and reporting

Each of these platforms accepts data in different file formats—some require .json, others .xlsx, and some need .csv. Additionally, businesses may need customized Excel reports for internal audit, client sharing, or comparative analysis.

Until now, exporting GST returns in the exact required format wasn’t always straightforward in Tally. That’s where TallyPrime 6.1’s new export flexibility comes into play.

 Key Highlights of Flexible GST Return Exports in TallyPrime 6.1

1. Export in Multiple Formats

TallyPrime 6.1 now allows users to export GST return data in various file formats, including:

• .JSON – for direct upload to the GSTN portal
• .XLSX – Excel spreadsheets for review and sharing
• .CSV – useful for uploading to offline utilities or manipulating via third-party systems

This flexibility ensures that no matter what your filing process looks like, Tally can adapt to it without needing external converters.

2. Customizable Excel Templates

Tally’s export to Excel is now more presentation-friendly and structured. The rows and columns are arranged in a logical, readable manner:

• Headers are clearly labeled (e.g., Invoice No., GSTIN, Taxable Value, IGST, CGST, SGST, etc.)
• Filters and formatting are preserved
• Totals are automatically calculated at the bottom of relevant columns

This makes it easy for:

• Accountants to review data before filing
• Auditors to check entries
• Clients or managers to understand summaries at a glance

3. Offline Utility Compatibility

For businesses using the offline GSTR-1 or GSTR-3B utility tools provided by the GST portal, the export formats are now directly compatible.

No manual re-formatting is required. This significantly reduces the effort needed to:

• Open the utility
• Import the data
• Validate and generate the JSON
• File the returns

You can now go from export to upload in just a few clicks.

4. Section-wise Export Controls

When exporting a return, users can choose which sections of the return to include. For example:

• Only B2B invoices
• Only credit/debit notes
• Summary values
• HSN-wise details

This selective export capability saves time and keeps reports lean, especially when:

• Preparing section-wise corrections
• Uploading amended returns
• Sharing specific parts with auditors

5. Data Accuracy and Integrity

All exported GST data is pulled directly from the vouchers recorded in Tally. Since the system follows:

• Real-time tax computation,
• GST rule validations,
• And invoice-level details,

The exported files are highly accurate, reducing errors during upload and validation at the GSTN portal.

This minimizes rejection rates, helps avoid late fees or interest, and ensures compliance.

6. Error Preview Before Export

Another enhancement is the pre-export validation of GST data. Before generating the export file, TallyPrime 6.1 allows you to:

• View missing GSTINs
• Identify tax mismatches
• Catch missing HSN codes
• Check if invoice numbers are duplicated

This “dry-run” check ensures that you export only clean, portal-ready data.

 How to Use Flexible Export Options in TallyPrime 6.1

Here’s a quick guide:

1. Go to: Gateway of Tally > Display More Reports > Statutory Reports > GST
2. Choose your return type (e.g., GSTR-1, GSTR-3B)
3. Select the period (monthly, quarterly)
4. Press Alt + E to open the export screen
5. Choose your format: Excel (.xlsx), JSON, or CSV
6. Set export path and press Enter

If validation fails, the screen will guide you to fix the errors before retrying the export.

 Use Cases Across Business Types

Integration with Other Features

This feature works seamlessly with other modules of TallyPrime 6.1 such as:

• Invoice Management System (IMS): Ensures that ITC invoices are already matched before export
• Edit Log: Ensures that changes to GST vouchers are properly tracked, so export reflects latest updates
• MSME Compliance: GST reports can be aligned with MSME vendor summaries for legal disclosure

 Conclusion

The Flexible GST Return Export feature in TallyPrime 6.1 is a game-changer for businesses that value efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. By supporting multiple file formats, customizable templates, and section-wise exports, Tally has made it easier than ever to file your GST returns with confidence.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a CA managing multiple clients, or an enterprise CFO, this feature gives you complete control over how your GST data is exported and used.

If you haven’t upgraded to TallyPrime 6.1 yet, now’s the time—your GST workflow will thank you.