The deadline for filing monthly GST sales returns for May has been extended by 15 days till June 26, the Government said on Monday.

Chaired by the Union Finance Minister and comprising state counterparts, the GST Council, as of on May 28, has decided to extend certain compliance relaxations on account of Covid-19.

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had in a series of tweets listed the various relaxations that had been extended.

The due date for furnishing details of outward supplies in Form GSTR-1 for the month of May 2021 has been extended by 15 days. The extended due date is June 26 the CBIC said.

Businesses file GSTR-1, providing details of supplies made during the month, by the 11th day of the subsequent month. For payment of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Form GSTR-3B is filed by businesses in a staggered manner between 20th-24th day of the succeeding month.

The GST Council has also approved extending by three months (till July 31) the due date for filing annual returns for fiscal 2020-21 by composition dealers.

"Due date for furnishing annual return in Form GSTR-4 for FY 2020-21 to be extended to July 31, 2021," CBIC said, adding relevant notifications to give effect to these relaxations would be issued in due course.

Meanwhile, taxpayers who are registered under the Companies Act have been permitted to furnish GST returns by using Electronic Verification Code (EVC) instead of Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) till August 31, 2021.