Share a read-only link with your accountant instead of spreadsheets: GSTR-1 export, a TDS ledger by section and quarter, and filing-ready invoices.
Most of the friction at filing time is not accounting, it is transport: a WhatsApp thread of screenshots, an out-of-date spreadsheet, and three follow-ups asking for the invoice that is missing. Retainer replaces that with a read-only link.
A link, not an account
Your CA gets a private link giving them read access to what they need for filing. They cannot edit your data, and they do not take up a seat. When the engagement ends, the link stops working.
What they get
GSTR-1 export, so outward supplies come out in a shape suitable for filing rather than being retyped from PDFs
A TDS ledger, recording the section and rate against each invoice, so the deductions can be reconciled against Form 26AS instead of reconstructed from bank credits
The invoices themselves, numbered consecutively within the financial year, with the CGST/SGST or IGST split already correct
Why the numbering matters to them
A gap or a repeat in an invoice series is a question your CA has to ask, and the answer usually takes an afternoon to reconstruct. Retainer will not issue a number that repeats within a financial year, so the series your CA reads is the series that was actually issued.
Retainer keeps the records and exports them. It does not file returns for you, and it is not a substitute for your accountant's judgement on anything specific to your situation.
Frequently asked
Can my accountant access my Retainer data?
Yes, through a read-only link. They can see what they need for filing without an account, without a seat, and without the ability to change anything.
Does Retainer export GSTR-1?
Yes. Outward supplies export in a shape suited to filing, rather than your CA retyping them from invoice PDFs.
How do I track TDS deducted across clients?
The TDS ledger records the section and rate against each invoice and totals them by client and quarter, which is what you reconcile against Form 26AS at filing time.
Does Retainer file my GST returns?
No. It keeps the records and exports them in a filing-ready shape. The filing itself stays with you or your CA.