Your books and your returns, from the same entries
Many companies and NGOs keep their accounts in one tool and prepare returns in another, typing the same numbers twice. FlowBooks prepares GST returns and TDS statements straight from the vouchers and is adding income-tax returns one form at a time, so you can work in one software instead of an accounting tool plus a separate tax tool. You, or your CA, review and upload every return.
GST returns
GSTR-1 and GSTR-1A
AvailableGSTR-1 worked out from your invoices, credit notes and advances for every GSTIN, as the portal's JSON file. Changes that belong in GSTR-1A are listed for you to make on the portal before filing GSTR-3B.
GSTR-2B and IMS
AvailableGSTR-2B matched against your bills, and an IMS worklist where Books suggests what to accept, reject or keep pending, for you to act on in the portal.
GSTR-3B
AvailableOutput tax and input tax credit from the books, set out the way the return asks for them.
Direct GST filing
Coming soonSave and file GSTR-1, GSTR-1A and GSTR-3B from Books through a GST Suvidha Provider, with DSC or EVC, after comparing the portal's summary with the books.
TDS and TCS statements
TDS and TCS statements (Forms 140 and 143)
AvailableQuarterly non-salary TDS statement Form 140 (formerly 26Q) and TCS statement Form 143, built from the tax you record in the books, in Protean's published file format. You run the department's validation utility (FVU) on it. Salary TDS comes from FlowPay.
Guided upload and challans
AvailableStep-by-step upload on the e-filing portal with your own login, a warning if the books changed after download, challans prepared for e-Pay Tax and linked to the recorded payment, and Form 131 certificates from TRACES matched and emailed to vendors. Books never asks for your portal password.
Income-tax returns
ITR-7 for trusts and NGOs
PreviewPrepared from the books and NGO registers and checked against the department's official ITR-7 JSON schema, with every problem linked to its source. The upload-ready file is coming soon; you or your CA upload it.
ITR-6 and ITR-5
Coming laterReturns for companies (ITR-6) and for firms, LLPs and AOPs (ITR-5), on the same engine and income computation.
What still needs another tool today
- Uploading income-tax returns: ITR-7 is a preview until the upload-ready file is out; ITR-6 and ITR-5 come later.
- The tax audit report (Form 3CD) and the full Form 112 audit report. For trusts, FlowBooks gives your auditor the Form 112 working papers.
- MCA forms such as AOC-4 and MGT-7, and XBRL.
- Filing GST returns from inside FlowBooks: until a GST Suvidha Provider is connected, you file on the GST portal.
Running an NGO? See NGO accounting in FlowBooks for Form 113, Form 114, the 85% tracker and FCRA.
Frequently asked questions
Can FlowBooks file my GST returns directly?
Not yet. FlowBooks prepares GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B from your books, lists GSTR-1A changes and reconciles GSTR-2B and IMS; you file on the GST portal. Filing straight from FlowBooks through a GST Suvidha Provider is coming soon.
Does FlowBooks upload TDS returns for me?
No. It builds the Form 140 TDS and Form 143 TCS statement files, guides you step by step through validation and upload on the e-filing portal with your own login, and prepares challans for e-Pay Tax. It never asks for or stores your portal password.
Which income-tax returns can FlowBooks prepare?
ITR-7 for trusts and NGOs is available as a preview: prepared from the books and checked against the official schema, with the upload-ready file coming soon. ITR-6 for companies and ITR-5 for firms, LLPs and AOPs come later. FlowBooks does not file income-tax returns on your behalf.
Do I still need a separate tax tool?
For GST and TDS returns, FlowBooks prepares the files from the same entries as your accounts, so nothing is re-keyed into another tool. For uploading income-tax returns, the tax audit report (3CD) and MCA forms, keep your current tool for now; we are adding them one form at a time.
Does my CA have to work in FlowBooks?
No, but it helps. Your accountant or CA gets a free seat to review the live books and the prepared returns before anything is filed.