April is the start of a new financial year. It is also one of the most important months for GST compliance.
If you miss key tasks in April 2026, it can create issues for the entire year. This checklist will help you stay on track.
Why April Compliance Is Important
April is not just another month. It sets the base for your accounting, GST reporting, and financial control for the full year.
Mistakes made in April can continue for months and become difficult to correct later.
A proper checklist ensures that your business starts the year with clean data and correct compliance.
1. Start New Invoice Series from 01/04/2026
You must start a new series for:
- GST Sales Invoices
- Debit Notes
- Credit Notes
Using a fresh series helps maintain proper records for the new financial year. It also avoids confusion during audits and reporting.
2. Apply for LUT for Export and SEZ Supplies
If your business deals with exports or supplies to SEZ units, you need to apply for LUT for FY 2026–27.
Without LUT, you may have to pay tax on exports and later claim refunds. Applying on time helps avoid unnecessary cash blockage.
3. ITC Reversal as per Rules 42 and 43
Input Tax Credit must be reviewed carefully. If there is any ineligible ITC, it must be reversed in the March 2026 GST return.
Ignoring this step may lead to notices or penalties later. Proper ITC adjustment ensures clean GST records.
4. File Job Work Return Before Due Date
Job work return filing depends on your turnover:
- Up to ₹5 crore: File annual return before 25/04/2026
- Above ₹5 crore: File half-yearly return before 25/04/2026
Missing this deadline can lead to compliance issues and penalties.
5. Reconcile GST ITC with Purchase Data
ITC reconciliation is one of the most important tasks.
You must match your purchase data with GST portal data.
- Check missing ITC
- Verify incorrect entries
- Identify mismatched invoices
This helps ensure that you claim the correct credit and avoid future disputes.
6. Update Import Export Code (IEC)
Businesses involved in import or export must update their IEC between April and June 2026.
If IEC is not updated, it may become inactive and can affect your international transactions.
7. Reconcile Books with GST Returns
You must match your accounting records with GST returns.
- Sales as per books vs GSTR-1
- ITC as per books vs GSTR-2B
- Tax liability vs GSTR-3B
This ensures accuracy and avoids future corrections.
8. Review Opening Balances for New Financial Year
Check all opening balances carefully:
- Customer and supplier balances
- Stock value
- Cash and bank balances
Incorrect opening balances can affect reports for the entire year.
9. Set Business Rules and Controls
Start the year with proper system controls:
- Restrict backdate entries
- Set approval rules for vouchers
- Fix credit limits for customers
- Lock rate changes if required
These controls reduce mistakes by staff and improve data accuracy.
10. Use Software That Simplifies Compliance
Managing all these tasks manually is time consuming and risky.
Using a cloud accounting system like eCount Book helps:
- Auto GST reports and reconciliation
- Proper invoice series management
- ITC tracking and mismatch reports
- Secure and controlled data entry
This saves time and ensures that compliance is handled correctly.
Conclusion
April 2026 is the foundation for your financial year. Completing these tasks on time will help your business run smoothly without compliance issues.
A simple checklist and the right software can save hours of work and prevent costly mistakes.
Start the year with proper planning and keep your GST compliance under control.