Reviewing and filing your GST return in Coffer

Coffer gives each completed GST period its own review. You check the expenses, settle any questions, submit the return through myIR, then tell Coffer it has been filed. Coffer keeps the reviewed figures and tracks what happens next: payment, a refund, or no balance due.

Finding a return that is ready

When a GST period ends, the return appears under Reports & returns. You can open it from the status card on the Reports tab, from the Returns tab, or from the notification bell. Each link opens that exact filing period.

The Returns tab groups returns by financial year. It shows GST returns that are ready for review or already filed. Future periods stay out of this list until the period has ended.

In the notification panel, Mark all as read keeps the messages and clears their unread state. Clear all removes them from the panel. Neither action changes a return. You can still find it on the Returns tab.

Choosing who will file

A return is assigned to either you or one connected accountant. The assignment badge tells you who can make review decisions and mark the return as filed. Use the edit control beside that badge to change the filer before filing.

If you have one active connected accountant when the return becomes ready, Coffer assigns it to them automatically so they can start the review. If you have more than one, choose the accountant from the filer control. You can take filing control back, or change the assignment, any time before the return is filed.

Changing the filer doesn't discard work already done. Existing decisions, comments, and activity stay with the return. Once the return is filed, you can't change the assignment.

Reviewing the expenses

Select Start review to open the expense list for that period. Coffer shows the possible GST claim for each expense, its receipt status, and the running return summary.

The assigned filer works through each expense:

• Approve includes its claimable GST in this return.
• Exclude leaves it out and records the reason.
• Ask records what information is needed and opens a comment thread for that expense.

If your accountant is filing, you can read the review and reply to their questions. You can't approve or exclude expenses while the return is assigned to them. The activity panel keeps both of you on the same history.

Expenses added after review starts

Coffer checks for newly recorded expenses when the detailed review opens. A new expense for the same period is added as Needs review. Decisions already made stay as they are.

If the return had been ready to file, a new expense moves it back into review. Resolve the new item before filing. You don't need a separate check button.

Marking the return as filed

The filing action becomes available when every expense has been resolved. Download the worksheet if you need a copy while entering the return in myIR.

The person assigned to the return is the only person who can mark it as filed. Coffer then shows who filed it, the filing date, and the recorded GST balance.

Paying GST or receiving a refund

If the filed return has GST to pay:

1. Pay IRD outside Coffer.
2. Open Tax events and record the GST payment against the return.
3. Coffer changes the return from Payment due to Part-paid or Paid, based on the payments recorded.

For a refund, select Mark refund received after the money reaches you. Refunds don't create an outgoing Tax event. A filed return with a zero balance is complete as No payment due.

Finding a return later

Paid, refunded, and zero-balance returns leave the active status area once they're complete. They remain under the Returns tab for the relevant financial year. You can also select the filed period from the GST return worksheet to see its frozen figures and completion status.

Filing also changes what you can edit. See Why records lock after a GST return is filed for the expense and receipt rules.