New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS): The New Year saw as many as 55 lakh Goods and Services (GST) returns being filed for the month of January so far in line with a rising curve of assessees under the country's new indirect tax regime, GST Network (GSTN) Chairman Ajay Bhushan Pandey said on Wednesday.

The last date for filing initial GSTR-3B sales returns for any month is the 20th of the subsequent month. Businesses, however, can continue to file returns after that date on payment of a late fee.

"The total number of GST-3B returns filed in the month of January till date is 55 lakh," Pandey told reporters here.

As per GSTN data, 56.30 lakh GSTR-3B returns were filed in December bringing in Rs 86,703 crore of revenue.

In November 53.06 lakh such returns were filed for a total revenue to the exchequer of Rs 80,808 crore.

Meanwhile, the Union Finance Ministry said on Wednesday that GST collection figures for January would be released officially at a later date.

"GST Revenue Collection figures appearing in certain section of media are not authentic. Therefore,the same may be ignored. The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance releases authentic GST Revenue figures for every month through PIB (Press Information Bureau)," it tweeted.