gst news and announcements

GST news and updates must be tracked by every business for ensuring timely and 100% compliance. Read on to get the latest developments from CBIC, GST Council and GST Network/portal on GST returns and compliances, e-way bills and e-invoicing systems. 

Latest GST News

1. 2024 GST Updates

3rd September 2024
A new functionality of the Invoice Management System (IMS) was introduced on the GST portal, effective from 1 October 2024, which will help taxpayers address invoice corrections and amendments with their suppliers

1st September 2024
The Government officially released the GST collection report for August 2024 on the GST Portal.

19th August 2024

54th GST Council meeting is happening on 9th September 2024. Read the latest news and the top expectations here.

22nd June 2024

The 53rd GST Council meeting took place in New Delhi on 22nd June 2024 and was chaired by the Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman. Read the complete highlights here.

2. 2023 GST Updates

7th October 2023

The 52nd GST Council meeting took place at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi on 7th October 2023 and was chaired by the Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman. Read the complete highlights here.

2nd August 2023
The 51st GST Council meeting took place on Wednesday, 2nd August 2023 via video conferencing. The Council discussed and approved the rules to implement the 28% GST levy on casinos, race courses and online gaming.

11th July 2023
50th GST Council meeting took place on 11th July 2023. Decision was taken to send intimations for excess ITC claims in GSTR-3B compared to GSTR-2B above a certain limit through DRC-01C to seek response. Further, GST on online gaming was fixed at 28% on full face value.

15th June 2023
50th GST Council meeting is happening on 11th July 2023. Read the latest news and the top expectations here.

12th June 2023
The NIC has made it mandatory for taxpayers with turnover more than Rs.100 Crore to login using the Two-factor Authentication from 15th July 2023 for both the e-invoicing and e-way bill system.

26th May 2023
CBIC has issued a fresh instruction on online scrutiny for FY 2019-20 onwards, in continuation with previously issued SOP for FY 2017-18 and 18-19.

16th May 2023
GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C filing facility for FY 2022-23 has gone live on the government portal. 

11th May 2023
The department has launched the automated return scrutiny module in May 2023 from FY 2019-20 onwards. The move aims to streamline communication between GST officers and taxpayers, saving much time and effort for the parties involved. 

10th May 2023
CBIC notified the 6th phase of e-invoicing. Hence, taxpayers with ₹5 Cr+ turnover in any financial year from 2017-18 shall issue e-invoices w.e.f 1st August 2023.

6th May 2023

The GST department has deferred the time limit of 7 days to report the old e-invoices on the e-invoice IRP portals by three months. Further, the department is yet to announce the new implementation date.

13th April 2023
As per the GST Network's advisories dated 12th April 2023 and 13th April 2023, taxpayers with annual turnover equal to or more than Rs.100 crore must report tax invoices and credit-debit notes to IRP within 7 days of invoice date from 1st May 2023.

31st March 2023

CGST notifications 02/2023 to 08/2023 issued on 31st March 2023 brings GST Council recommendations into effect as follows-

(1) Amnesty schemes valid up to 30th June 2023 are introduced for late filers of GSTR-4, GSTR-9, GSTR-10, defaulters attracting Section 62 of the CGST Act (Best Judgement assessment) and for applying revocation of cancelled GST registration in REG-21.

(2) Risk based biometric aadhaar authentication for Gujarat is notified through CGST notification 05/2023 with effect from 26th December 2022. 

(3) The extension of limitation period under Section 168A to issue orders under Section 79 (recovery proceedings) is extended for past years-

• For FY 2017-18 - up to 31st December 2023
• For FY 2018-19 - up to 31st March 2024
• For FY 2019-20 - up to 30th June 2024 

1st February 2023

Updates from Budget 2023-

The decriminalisation of offences and extension of the composition scheme to e-tailers are a few key highlights from the Budget 2023. For complete GST highlights, read our Budget 2023 highlights 

12th January 2023
An automated drop proceedings facility is available on the GST portal to revoke cancelled GSTINs where taxpayers file pending GST returns.

4th January 2023

CGST Notification 01/2023 was issued on 4th January 2023 to assign more powers vested with a Superintendent of central tax to the Additional Assistant Directors in DGGI, DGGST and DG Audit.

3. 2022 GST Updates

1st December 2022

48th GST Council meeting will take place on 17th December 2022, Saturday, with many items on the Agenda.

10th November 2022

1. Circular 181 was issued to clarify that refund related amendments will apply prospectively.

2. Circular 182 is issued to provide the verification procedure for allowing transitional credit claims made by taxpayers during the period 1st October 2022 up to 30th November 2022.

28th September 2022

1. Amendments related to ITC conditions in Finance Act 2022 is notified.

2. Due date of claiming ITC, making sales/credit-debit note amendments of a financial year is extended upto 30th November of year following the financial year.

1st September 2022

The recent changes in Table 4 on reporting of ineligible input tax credit have gone live on the GST portal or government portal.

1st August 2022

(a) The e-invoicing system will extend to those businesses with a AATO of more than Rs.10 crore from 1st October 2022 vide the Central Tax notifcication no.17/2022.

(b) HSN code of six digits becomes mandatory for businesses with more than Rs.5 crore turnover in Table 12 of GSTR-1.

5th July 2022

The CBIC notified six new CGST notifications. Important ones are as follows-       
(a) GSTR-3B format was modified to include a new table 3.1.1 to report e-commerce sales and taxes payable on the same for both e-commerce operators and e-commerce sellers. A few more changes were done to Table 3.2 and 4. All changes except table 4 are live on the government portal. Check out the new format of GSTR-3B.
(b) Section 110 of Finance Act 2022 was notified. Hence, taxpayer can transfer CGST in cash from one GSTIN to another as CGST or IGST only as a distinct person in form PMT-09.       
(c) The due date to file GSTR-4 for FY 2021-22 is extended by late fee waiver up to 28th July 2022. Likewise, the due date for CMP-08 is extended up to 31st July 2022.       
 

29th June 2022

The 47th GST Council meeting was held on the 28th and 29th of June 2022 in Chandigarh. Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman chaired this meeting and made key recommendations to revise rates goods and services. Further, the GST exemption list was trimmed down and modifications to the GSTR-3B format are now opened up for public suggestions.

26th May 2022

As per the CGST Notification no.7/2022 dated 26th May 2022, the late fee has been waived for the delay in filing GSTR-4 for FY 2021-22, if it is filed between 1st May and 30th June 2022.

24th February 2022

1. The e-Invoicing system will get extended to those annual aggregate turnover ranging from Rs.20 crore up to Rs.50 crore starting from 1st April 2022, vide notification no. 1/2022.

2. Composition taxable persons and those interested to opt into the scheme for FY 2022-23 must submit declaration on the GST portal in Form CMP-02 by 31st March 2022.

1st Feb 2022

The Union Budget 2022 introduced key changes to the GST law. Know more about it on here- Budget 2022 highlights.

4. 2021 GST Updates

29th Dec 2021

(1) The 46th GST Council meeting was held on 31st December 2021 in New Delhi. Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman led meeting has decided to defer the GST rate hike to 12% for textiles.

(2) CGST Rule 36(4) is amended to remove 5% additional ITC over and above ITC appearing in GSTR-2B. From 1st January 2022, businesses can avail ITC only if it is reported by supplier in GSTR-1/ IFF and it appears in their GSTR-2B.

(3) The due date to file GSTR-9 & self-certified GSTR-9C for the FY 2020-21 has been extended up to 28th February 2022.

(4) Further amendments are carried out to seizure and detention rules, penalties related to the same, and certain forms such as DRC-10, DRC-22, DRC-23 and APL-01 stands amended with the addition of new form DRC-22A as per Central Tax notification no. 40/2021.

21st Dec 2021

Following are the changes with effect from 1st January 2022-

(1) ITC claims will be allowed only if it appears in GSTR-2B as per Section 16(2)(aa). So, the taxpayers can no longer claim 5% provisional ITC under the CGST Rule 36(4) and ensure every ITC value claimed was reflected in GSTR-2B.

(2) The officer can issue notice under Section 74 to multiple persons for tax short paid or excess ITC claims by fraud. Now, it is amended that the officer can confiscate and seize goods or vehicles even after concluding proceedings against all persons liable to pay specific or general penalties.

(3) The taxpayers cannot file GSTR-1 if the previous period’s GSTR-3B was not filed.

(4) The GST officers can initiate recovery proceedings without any show-cause notice against taxpayers who under-report sales in GSTR-3B compared to GSTR-1, under Section 75(12).

(5) All the e-commerce aggregators into food delivery services or cloud kitchens under Section 9(5) will be liable to pay tax on services provided through them. However, restaurants with accommodation with a tariff per unit of more than Rs.7,500 per day are kept out of the scope.

(6)The scope of passenger transport motor vehicles is expanded to include service rendered through omnibus and any other motor vehicle, but not just radio taxi or cab under Section 9(5).

(7)Following facilities will henceforth require taxpayers’ aadhaar authentication- – To apply for a refund under the CGST Rules 89 (Excess tax, interest, penalty, fees paid) and 96 (IGST paid on goods or services exported out of India) in RFD-01. – To apply for revocation of cancelled GST registration under the CGST Rule 23 in REG-21.

24th Sept 2021

With effect from 1st October 2021, the frequency of filing the ITC-04 form has been revised through the Central Tax notification number 35/2021 dated 24th September 2021, as follows-

(1) Those with AATO more than Rs.5 crore – Half-yearly from April-September- due on 25th October and October-March due on 25th April.

(2) Those with AATO up to Rs.5 crore – Yearly from FY 2021-22 due on 25th April.

1st September 2021

45th GST Council meeting will be held on 17th September 2021. Tax concessions on COVID-19 essentials may be extended, Matter on GST compensation to states may be taken up, correction of inverted tax structure, etc are on the agenda.

29th August 2021

1. Time limit to avail GST Amnesty Scheme extended up to 30th November 2021. It continues to apply for GSTR-3B from July 2017 up to April 2021 via CGST notification number 33/2021 dated 29th August 2021.
2. Taxpayers can get extended time up to 30th September 2021 to revoke cancelled GST registration if the last date for the same falls between 1st March 2020 and 31st August 2021. It applies if the GST registration is cancelled under Section 29(2) clause (b) or (c) of the CGST Act via CGST notification number 34/2021 dated 29th August 2021.
3. Company taxpayers can continue filing GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B using EVC or DSC up to 31st October 2021 via the CGST notification number 32/2021 dated 29th August 2021.

26th August 2021

From 1st September 2021, taxpayers will not be able to file GSTR-1 or use the IFF for August 2021 on the GST portal if they have pending GSTR-3B filings. It applies if GSTR-3B is pending for the past two months till July 2021 (monthly filer) or for the last quarter ending 30th June 2021 (quarterly filer), as per CGST Rule 59(6).

30th July 2021

1. A GST registered person whose aggregate turnover in the financial year 2020-21 is up to Rs.2 crore has been given exemption from filing Form GSTR-9 (annual return) for the FY 20202-21.
2. The section 35(5) is omitted and section 44 is amended, so that the taxpayer can submit the reconciliation statement on a self-certification basis instead of being furnished after audit and certification by CA/CMA.
3. The taxpayers having aggregate turnover up to Rs.5 crore are not required to file self-certified GSTR-9C . Further, changes are notified to the format of Form GSTR-9C from FY 2020-21 onwards.

30th June 2021

Any late fee, otherwise chargeable for non-compliance with the dynamic QR code requirement from 1st December 2020 to 30th September 2021, is waived.

01st June 2021

The summary of CBIC notifications is as follows:

1. The amendment of Section 50 through the Finance Act 2021 has been notified to come into effect from 1st July 2017, retrospectively. Now, interest shall be computed on the net tax liability after reducing eligible ITC from the total liability. It is to be noted that the interest shall be debited from the electronic cash ledger.
2. Interest and late fee relief have been provided to the taxpayers who could not file GST returns by the due dates for March, April and May 2021. Check out the relaxation here.
3. The due date to file GSTR-1 for May 2021 has been extended from 11th June 2021 to 26th June 2021.
4. The due date to file Annual return by composition taxpayers in GSTR-4 for FY 2020-21 has been extended up to 31st July 2021.
5. The due date to file ITC-04 for Jan-March’21 has been extended up to 30th June 2021.
6. CGST Rule 36(4) to cumulatively apply for April, May and June 2021 while filing GSTR-3B of June 2021.
7. The time limit to furnish B2B supplies on the IFF (optional facility for the taxpayers opting into the QRMP scheme) for May 2021 has been extended from 13th June to 28th June 2021.
8. The time limit for completing any GST compliance, except a few notified, falls between 15th April 2021 and 29th June 2021 has been extended to 30th June 2021.
9. A new GST amnesty scheme has been introduced to rationalise late fees for delay in filing of GSTR-3B return. It provides a conditional waiver of late fees for delay in filing GSTR-3B return from July 2017 to April 2021. Click here to know more.
10. The reduced late fee has been notified for GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B returns from June 2021 onwards. Click here to know more.
11. The maximum late fee for GSTR-4 that can be charged will be restricted to Rs.500 per return for nil filing and Rs. 2,000 for other than nil filing.
12. The late fee chargeable for GSTR-7, i.e. TDS filing under GST, shall be a maximum of Rs. 2,000 while late fee per day charged is reduced from Rs.200 to Rs.50 per day of delay per return.
13. CGST notification no. 13/2020 amended for fresh exclusions from the need to issue e-invoices. Now, the e-invoicing system shall not apply to a government department and local authority.

28th May 2021

43rd GST Council meeting took place on 28th May 2021 (Friday) at 11 A.M. via video conferencing and was chaired by Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman. The Council approved the GST amnesty scheme to be re-introduced, the late fee was rationalised for all taxpayers, especially for small taxpayers and IGST is exempted on import of COVID treating equipment and relief materials up to 31st August 2021.

As on 21st May 2021

43rd GST Council meeting will take place on 28th May 2021 (Friday) at 11 A.M. via video conferencing and will be chaired by Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

Budget 2021: Updates as on 1st February 2021

1. Section 16 amended to allow taxpayers’ claim of input tax credit based on GSTR-2A and 2B. Henceforth, ITC on invoices and debit notes may be availed only when the details of such invoice or debit note have been furnished by the supplier in the statement of outward supplies, and such details have been communicated to the recipient of such invoice or debit note.
2. Section 50 of the CGST Act is being amended to provide for a retrospective charge of interest on net cash liability, with effect from 1st July 2017.
3. With respect to orders received on detention and seizure of goods and conveyance, 25% of penalty needs to be paid for making an application for appeals under section 107 of the CGST Act. Date of applicability is yet to be notified.
4. GST audit requirement by specific professionals such as CAs and CMAs has been removed from the GST law. Section 35 and 44 have been amended in this regard. As per the amendment, only GSTR-9 annual returns on a self-certification basis need to be filed on the GST portal by taxpayers, completely removing the requirement for GSTR-9C, i.e. the reconciliation statement. However, the financial year and date of applicability are yet to be clarified by the government.
5. section 7 of the CGST Act was amended to include a new clause under the definition of supply. Activities or transactions involving the supply of goods or services by any person, other than an individual, to its members or constituents or vice-versa, for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideration falls under supply and will be liable to tax. Earlier, this supply would have been considered as only supply of goods under schedule II. So, the scope is expanded now for levy.
6. Seizure and confiscation of goods and conveyances in transit are now made a separate proceeding from the recovery of tax from Section 74.
7. Self-assessed tax referred to under section 75 of the CGST Act shall also cover the outward supplies/sales as reported in the GSTR-1 under Section 37 of the CGST Act, but which has been missed out while reporting in the GSTR-3B under Section 39.
8. The provisional attachment shall remain valid for the entire period starting from the initiation of any proceeding till the expiry of a period of one year from the date of order made thereunder.
9. Section 129 is delinked from Section 130. Accordingly, proceedings relating to detention, seizure and release of goods and conveyances in transit will be separate from the levy of penalty for the confiscation of goods and conveyance.
10. The Jurisdictional Commissioner can now call for information from any person relating to any matter dealt with in connection with the Act under Section 151, together with section 168. Further, section 152 is amended to provide an opportunity of being heard before using information obtained under Sections 150 or 151 of the Act
11. The IGST Act was also amended in Section 16, that defines a zero-rated supply. Three amendments were made – (1) To state that supply to SEZ units /developers will be zero-rated only if it is authorised operations. (2) Only notified persons or supplies of goods/services can avail the status of zero-rated when IGST is paid. (3) Foreign exchange remittance will be linked in case of export of goods with the refund.

5. 2020 GST Updates

Update as on 30th December 2020

The due date of GSTR-9 & GSTR-9C for FY 2019-20 has been extended up to 28th February 2021.

Update as on 22nd December 2020

(1) GST registration can be cancelled or suspended under CGST Rule 21A at the discretion of the tax officer in the following cases:

1. Major discrepancies between the GSTR-3B vis-a-vis the GSTR-1 and GSTR-2B
2. Utilisation of ITC from electronic credit ledger to discharge more than 99% of the tax liability for specified taxpayers – with the total taxable value of supplies exceeding Rs.50 lakh in the month, with some exceptions.
3. A taxpayer has not filed GSTR-1 due to GSTR-3B not being filed for more than two consecutive months (one quarter for those who opt into the QRMP scheme).

(2) Following are the changes in Rule 36(4) from 1st January 2021:

1. The ITC shall be available as per the invoices uploaded by respective suppliers either in their GSTR-1 or by using the Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF).
2. The recipients can claim provisional input tax credit in GSTR-3B to the extent of 5% instead of earlier 10% of the total ITC available in GSTR-2B for the month.
3. Certain taxpayers cannot make payment from their electronic credit ledger in excess of 99% of the total tax liability for the tax period.
4. It applies to such taxpayers who have monthly value of taxable supplies more than Rs.50 lakh (not being exempt or zero-rated supplies). The following taxpayers are exempted from this restriction:
   • A registered taxpayer where more than Rs.1 lakh is paid as income tax in the last two FY in belated IT returns of himself or his proprietor or any two partners or managing director, trustee or board, etc.
   • A registered taxpayer who has received more than Rs.1 lakh as refund of unutilised input tax credit under GST, on account of zero-rated supplies without payment of tax or inverted tax structure.
   • A registered taxpayer paid more than 1% of his GST liability using only his electronic cash ledger, for all the tax periods in the current FY so far.
   • Government departments, PSU, local authorities, statutory bodies, etc.

(3) The following are the changes notified for e-way bills:

1. From 1st January 2021, the validity of e-way bills for cases other than over dimensional cargo is now calculated based on distance of 200 km and not 100 km.
2. The non-furnishing of GSTR-3B for two consecutive tax periods or suspension of GSTIN under CGST Rule 21A will lead to blocking of e-way bills under Rule 138E.

Update as on 29th November 2020

The CBIC issued a notification seeking to waive the penalty imposed on non-compliance of dynamic QR code provisions for B2C invoices between 1st December 2020 and 31st March 2021, provided the eligible registered person complies with these provisions from 1st April 2021.

Update as on 10th November 2020

The taxpayers having an aggregate turnover exceeding Rs.100 crore should implement e-invoicing from 1st January 2021.

From 1st January 2021, all-new Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme for taxpayers with AATO of up to Rs. 5 crore in the financial year to file quarterly GSTR-3B has been notified. To allow a choice of uploading the sales invoices on monthly basis or more regularly for those filing quarterly GSTR-1, Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) will be introduced.

The due date for GSTR-1 for the periods October 2020 to March 2021 is as follows:

Quarterly return filers:

(1) October 2020 to December 2020: 13th January 2020

(2) January 2020 to March 2021: 13th April 2021

Monthly return filers: 11th of next month

The due date for paying GST and filing GSTR-3B has been notified for the months October 2020 till March 2021: 20th(AATO >Rs.5 crore) or 22nd or 24th of next month (For the rest, depending upon the State of principle place of business).

Update as 28th October 2020

The due date to file GSTR-9 & GSTR-9C for the FY 2018-19 has been extended up to 31st December 2020.

Update as on 15th October 2020

The CBIC has notified that the filing of GSTR-9 will be made optional for small taxpayers (i.e. taxpayers with turnover up to Rs.2 crore) for FY 2019-20.

Update as on 1st October 2020

The applicable taxpayers have been given a grace period of 30 days for generating an Invoice Reference Number (IRN). However, this grace period is valid for the invoices issued between 1st October 2020 to 31st October 2020.

Update as on 30th September 2020

The due date to file GSTR-9 & GSTR-9C for the FY 2018-19 has been extended up to 31st October 2020.

Now, the aggregate turnover should be checked from FY 2017-18 till FY 2019-20, for checking the applicability of e-invoicing. Also, the date of implementation of the dynamic QR Code for B2C invoices has been extended until 1st December 2020.

Update as on 21st September 2020

(1) The late fee has been reduced on filing pending Form GSTR-4 (Quarterly Return). The taxpayer is not required to pay the late fee if the tax liability is ‘NIL’. For other cases, the late fee has been restricted to Rs.500.

(2) The taxpayers who had not filed GSTR-10, i.e. final return are now allowed to file the final return with a reduced late fee of Rs.500. However, the pending GSTR-10 has to be filed on or before 31st December 2020.

However, the pending GSTR-4 (quarterly) related to FY 2017-18 and 2018-19 has to be filed on or before 31st October 2020.

Update as on 31st August 2020

The due date for furnishing Form GSTR-4 for the FY 2019-20 from 31st August 2020 to 31st October 2020.

25th August 2020

CBIC has notified 1st September 2020 as the date from when interest will be calculated on net tax liability basis, on the amount left after adjusting the eligible ITC.

20th August 2020

41st GST Council meeting will be held on 27th August 2020 via VC with the key item on agenda being the ways to compensate for the GST revenue shortfall to the states.

20th August 2020

For obtaining GST registration, an option is given for an aadhaar authentication. The rules are amended with effect from 21st August 2020 as follows:

1. In case aadhaar authentication is opted for, it must be completed while submitting application. The date of application is earlier of the date of aadhaar authentication, or fifteen days from the submission of the application in Part B of Form GST REG-01.
2. For the rest of the applicants, physical verification of place of business will be carried out, including document verification, as the case may be, with permission.
3. Cases of deemed approval have also been listed.

6th August 2020

1. There’s a new facility on the GST portal for tax filers to get the invoice-wise details of input tax credit that has been auto-populated in Table 8A of the GSTR-9 annual return. The same can be obtained by clicking on the ‘Download Table 8A Document Details’ button appearing under the instructions, at the top of the GSTR-9 return form.

2. The offline tool (Excel utility) for filing Form GSTR-4 by Composition Scheme taxpayers is available for download on the GST portal.

3.   Taxpayers are now allowed to file another application for Revocation of Cancellation of Registration, if their previous application has been rejected.

30th July 2020

1. A new refined format of e-invoice has been notified by CBIC adding 20 new fields and removing 13 fields. Certain fields have undergone changes in character length as well.

2. e-Invoicing system shall apply to those taxpayers with annual turnover exceeding Rs 500 crore instead of Rs 100 crore.

3. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) units shall also be exempted from issuing e-invoices.

21st July 2020

The facility to file GSTR-4 (Annual Return) is now available on GST portal.

13th July 2020

The due date to file GSTR-4 (Annual Return) has been extended to 31st August 2020 from 15th July 2020.

1st July 2020

Taxpayers can now file a Nil GSTR-1 via SMS.

30th June 2020

The conditional late fee waiver and interest reduction for GSTR-3B between February-July 2020 has been extended upto 30th September 2020. GSTR-1 deadlines also have been further extended by late fee waiver. For details of the latest deadlines, read our article on GST calendar 2020-21

12th June 2020

40th GST Council meeting concluded with major announcements made for MSMEs:

1. GSTR-3B late fee waiver for prior period July 2017-January 2020 for taxpayers with a Nil liability. A maximum cap in late fee of Rs 500 has been fixed per pending returns for the rest of them, provided it is filed between 1st July 2020 and 30th September 2020.
2. Interest Relief and Late fee waiver for taxpayers with aggregate turnover of upto Rs 5 crore. Tax payments for Feb, Mar and Apr 2020: Interest will apply at a reduced rate of 9% p.a. instead of 18% p.a. if return is filed after 6th July 2020 but before 30th September 2020. Tax payments for May, June and July 2020: Late fee and interest charge will be waived off if filed by the staggered dates of September 2020 (due dates yet to be announced).
3. Period for seeking revocation of cancelled GST registrations allowed till 30th September 2020 for all those registrations which were cancelled till 12th June 2020.
4. The GST Compensation and its funding will be discussed in a special one-agenda council meeting, which is going to be scheduled in July 2020.
5. Rate rationalisation matter shall be taken up in the next GST council meeting.

10th June 2020

1. GST on Director’s remuneration clarified by CBIC. Read our article here.
2. CBIC also clarifies that the refund of accumulated ITC is available on the inward supplies subject to reverse charge mechanism, imports and ISD invoices that do not form part of GSTR-2A of such recipient.

9th June 2020

1. The validity of all the e-way bills generated on or before 24th March 2020 and where validity is expiring one or after 20th March 2020, stands extended up to 30th June 2020.
2. A full or part of the amount applied for refund may have been rejected via a notice issued by the authority. After completing the due proceedings, a final order must be issued within 60 days from the date of receipt of the refund application.In case this time limit is expiring between 20th March to 29th June 2020, the last date to issue order shall be extended to the later of following dates:
   • 15 days from the date of receiving a reply from the applicant towards the notice, or
   • 30th June 2020
3. Merged UT of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli can follow special procedure till 31st July 2020 against the earlier date of 31st May 2020.

8th June 2020

Taxpayers can now file a nil GSTR-3B through SMS from registered mobile number of authorised signatory for a particular GSTIN. Read more here.

4th June 2020

40th GST Council meeting will most likely happen on 12th June 2020, Friday via Video Conferencing. Issues such as waiver of late fee for filing pending GSTR-3B from August 2017 to January 2020, GST revenue augmentation measures other than rate revisions will be tabled for discussion. For latest updates, read our article on 40th GST Council meeting.

5th May 2020

1. A further extension granted for filing annual returns (GSTR-9) and reconciliation statement (GSTR-9C) for FY 2018-19 until 30th September 2020.
2. Companies can file GSTR-3B using EVC option until 30th June 2020
3. Nil GSTR-3B to be allowed to be filed by an SMS (date of applicability yet to be notified)
4. Extension for filing GSTR-3B in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir and UT of Ladakh. For further details, read our article on GST notifications.

28th April 2020

The facility to file PMT-09 and the CGST rules governing the same shall come into effect from 21st April 2020.

3rd April 2020

1. The due date of GSTR-3B for the month of May 2020 is extended from 20th June, 22nd June and 24th June 2020 till 27th June, 12th July and 14th July 2020 respectively.
2. The time limit for completion or to act under the GST law for adjudication and appeals, by any authority or by any taxpayer falls between 20th March 2020 to 29th of June 2020, shall stand extended until 30th June 2020.
3. The validity of all the e-way bills expiring between 20th March 2020 and 15th April 2020 stands extended up to 30th April 2020.
4. Due dates for CMP-08, CMP-02, GSTR-4, ITC-04, GSTR-5, GSTR-5A, GSTR-6, GSTR-7 and GSTR-8 for specific tax periods have been extended due to COVID-19 induced lockdown. The late fee has been waived off for delayed filing of GSTR-3B for specific months. Interest charges reduced to 9% p.a for taxpayers with an annual aggregate turnover more than Rs 5 crore in the previous financial year, if the file beyond 15 days from the original due dates but within specific dates in June-July 2020. For the rest of the taxpayers, interest will not be levied. For futher reading on the dates, go through our article on GST Relief measures during COVID-19 outbreak.
5. The CBIC has notified that taxpayers can claim input tax credit in the GSTR-3B return from February 2020 to August 2020, without applying the rule of capping provisional ITC claims at 10% of the eligible ITC as per GSTR-2A.While filing the GSTR-3B of September 2020, the taxpayers must cumulatively adjust ITC as per the above rule from February 2020.

24th March 2020

The Union FM Smt Nirmala Sitharaman has announced some reliefs for businesses to cope up with the difficult times of COVID-19 as on 24th March 2020, as follows:

1. The due date of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for February, March and April 2020 is extended to the last week of June 2020.
2. Taxpayers with an annual turnover of less than Rs 5 crore need not pay interest, late fee or penalty for late filing of GST returns.
3. The rest of the taxpayers are liable for interest at 9% if the GST payment is made after 15 days from the original due date.
4. CMP-02 due date is extended to 30th June 2020. Further, CMP-08 and GSTR-4 filing is also extended up to 30th June 2020.
5. All compliance under GST where the time limit expires between 20th March 2020 and 29th June 2020 are extended up to 30th June 2020.
6. The last date to avail the scheme is extended up to 30th June 2020 for the Sabka Vishwas Scheme.

Read more about the extensions detailed out in our article on press briefings as on 24th March 2020.

23rd March 2020

Certain important notifications are passed:

1. Special GST compliance procedure notified for the companies during the CIRP period.
2. Aadhaar authentication becomes important for certain type of persons getting registered under GST.
3. FORM GSTR-1 is waived off for FY 2019-20 for taxpayers who could not opt for availing the option of special composition scheme under notification No. 2/2019-Central Tax (Rate).
4. GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B have been notified for the months April 2020 till September 2020.

14th March 2020

39th GST Council Meeting was held on Saturday, 14th March 2020. An extension to the implementation of the new GST returns and e-Invoicing was announced. Read our article on 39th GST council meet to know more.

7th February 2020

The due date to submit TRAN-01 for carrying forward the transitional credit is extended to 31st March 2020 for those taxpayers who could not file earlier due to technical glitches.

3rd February 2020

The filing of return in GSTR-3B for the return periods January 2020, February 2020 and March 2020 is now notified in a staggered manner only for those with last year’s annual turnover upto Rs 5 crore, as follows:

22nd of the next month: Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana or Andhra Pradesh or the Union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

24th of the next month: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand or Odisha or the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh and Delhi.

The due date remains the same for the rest of the taxpayers.

3rd February 2020

The due date for furnishing of annual return/reconciliation statement in form GSTR-9/form GSTR-9C for FY 2017-18 is further extended. The filing is now staggered to 5th February and 7th February 2020, based on the state or union territory in which taxpayer is registered as follows:

5th February 2020: Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand.

7th February 2020:Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Himachal Pradesh,Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Other Territory.

10th January 2020

The one-time amnesty scheme to file all FORM GSTR-1 from July 2017 to November 2019 is extended till 17th January 2020.

6. 2019 GST Updates

26th December 2019

The due date for furnishing of annual return/reconciliation statement in form GSTR-9/form GSTR-9C for FY 2017-18 is further extended till 31.01.2020.

18th December 2019

38th GST Council meeting was held on 18th December 2019, Wednesday. The following were the highlights:

• Due dates of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C extended for FY 2017-18 till 31st January 2020
• Provisional ITC claim in GSTR-3B further restricted to 10% instead of the earlier 20%
• Late fee waiver for filing GSTR-1 for return periods Jul 17 and Nov 19 by 10 January 2020 through an amnesty scheme
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in case of non filing of GSTR-3B defined
• Due dates for GST returns extended for certain category of taxpayers in North-eastern states
• Levy of common rate of 28% tax on all forms of lotteries

10th December 2019

38th GST Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, 18 December 2019. The agenda includes major rate revisions, relook into the cases of inverted tax structure and simplification of the upcoming new GST return system. Read further about the Council meeting here.

14th November 2019

The due date for GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C has been extended to 31st December 2019 and 31st March 2020 for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19 respectively.

20th September 2019

37th GST Council meet happened at Goa with GST rate cuts and the following key announcements were made:

• New return filing system from April 2020
• Soon, ITC claim to be restricted, unless GSTR-1 has been filed
• GSTR-9 filing for businesses with turnover upto Rs 2 crores optional for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19
• GSTR-9A waived for for FY 2017-18 and FY 2018-19
• A Committee of Officers will review simplification of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C
• Integrated refund system with refund disbursal by single authority to be introduced from 24th September, 2019
• Aadhar mandatory for registration of taxpayers under GST and it may become mandatory for claiming refunds
• In principle decision to prescribe reasonable restrictions for passing of ITC by risky taxpayers including risky new taxpayers (likely be system driven based on their activity)

31st August 2019

Due date for GSTR-7 for the month of July 2019 is extended till 20th September 2019 for taxpayers having a principal place of business in J&K and certain districts of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttarakhand.

Filing of the form ITC-04 for the quarters between July 2017 to March 2019 has been waived off. However, those challans goods dispatched to a job worker in the period July 2017 to March 2019 but not received from a job worker or not supplied from the place of business of the job worker as on the 31st March 2019 would have already been part of serial number 4 of ITC-04 for the quarter April-June 2019.

The late fees for July 2019’s GSTR-1(filed monthly) and GSTR-6 have been waived off for the taxpayers having a principal place of business in certain districts of the flood-affected States of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttarakhand and all districts of J&K.

26th August 2019

Due date for GSTR-9, GSTR-9C and GSTR-9A for FY 2017-18 is further extended till 30th November 2019

21st August 2019

Due date for GSTR-3B for the month of July 2019 is extended till 20th September 2019 for taxpayers having a principal place of business in Jammu and Kashmir and certain districts of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Uttarakhand.

16th August 2019

Sources say that the 37th GST Council meeting will be held on 20th September (Friday). However, an official confirmation is awaited.

27th July 2019

GST Council had its 36th meet via video conference on Saturday (27th July 2019). Read all the highlights on 36th GST Council Meeting.

25th July 2019

36th GST council meeting that was scheduled on 25th July 2019 has been postponed. Date to be announced soon.

We have got you list of expectations from the meeting. Read more about GST Council Meeting

18th July 2019

The due date for filing CMP-08 is extended for the period April 2019- to June 2019 from 18th July 2019 to 31st July 2019.

28th June 2019

1. Important CBIC notifications have been announced: Due dates for GSTR-1(Monthly & Quarterly), GSTR-3B for the period July 2019 to September 2019 have been notified. The deadline to file ITC-04 for months from July 2017 to June 2019 has been extended and more time limit is given to service providers desirous of opting into composition scheme under Notification 2/2019 CT Rate dated 7th March 2019. Get to know about the new dates on GST calendar.
2. A registered person can use FORM GST PMT-09 to transfer any amount of tax, interest, penalty, fee or any other amount available in the electronic cash ledger under the Act to the electronic cash ledger for integrated tax, central tax, State tax or Union territory tax or cess.
3. Quick Response (QR) code may be made mandatory in the Tax Invoice and Bill of supply at a later date to be notified.
4. Calculation of the value of supply in cases where Kerala Flood Cess is applicable has been defined.
5. Refund of taxes to the retail outlets established in the departure area of an international Airport beyond immigration counters making tax free supply to an outgoing international tourist by filling FORM GST RFD- 10B on a monthly or quarterly basis.
6. Suppliers of Online Information Database Access and Retrieval Services(“OIDAR services”) have been exempted from the furnishing of Annual Return / Reconciliation Statement.
7. The new format of GSTR-4 to be filed on an annual basis has been notified. ( applies to FY 2019-2020 onwards)

21st June 2019

35th GST Council Meeting was held on 21st June 2019 and chaired by FM Nirmala Sitharaman.

1. GST Annual Return due date extended till from 30th June to 31st August 2019 for FY 2017-18
2. Aadhar-enabled GST Registration introduced
3. NAA tenure extended by 2 years
4. 10% penalty to apply for any delay in depositing profiteered amount
5. E-invoicing to apply to start from January 2020
6. E-ticketing made mandatory for multiplexes
7. Rate cut decision on Electric vehicles, chargers & leasing thereof deferred; Committee to submit its report
8. Rate cut for lottery put on hold; Matter to be referred before an Attorney General
9. GSTAT to be GST Appellate Tribunal. States to decide the number of GSTAT required by them

28th Mar 2019

The due date for ITC-04 of July 2017-March 2019 is now extended to 30th June 2019.

19th Mar 2019

34th GST Council Meeting was held on 19th Mar 2019.

GST Council members met via video conferencing to discuss and pass the circulars drafted for rate cuts on affordable and non-affordable housing under construction.

24th February 2019

• The 33rd GST council meet was held on 24th February 2019.
• The due date to file GSTR-3B for the month of January 2019 has been extended up to 22nd February 2019*

*subject to notification being issued by CBIC. For the State of Jammu & Kashmir, due date is 28th February 2019.

10th February 2019

The next meeting-33rd GST Council meeting is scheduled to be held on 20th February 2019 via Video Conferencing.

It will be chaired by the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Real estate and export sector to be in limelight.

This will be the first one after the Interim Budget 2019.

10th January 2019

32nd GST Council meeting was held at New Delhi and chaired by Shri Arun Jaitley. Announcements made was a big relief to MSMEs and small traders.

The key takeaways of the 32nd GST Council meeting are as follows:

• Increase in GST registration limit from Rs 20 lakhs up to Rs 40 lakhs for suppliers of goods.
• Changes in the existing composition scheme made by increasing the turnover limit to join the scheme up to Rs 1.5 crores, tax payments to be made quarterly and returns to be filed annually starting 1st April 2019.
• New composition scheme is introduced for service providers and those who supply services along with goods; the Turnover limit set is Rs 50 lakhs and the Tax rate is fixed at 6%.
• No rate cuts were announced this time. GoMs were formed to study taxation of under-construction properties & lotteries.
• Calamity cess up to 1% for up to 2 years will be charged for supplies made within the State of Kerala.

7. 2018 GST Updates

22nd December 2018

31st GST Council meeting was held on 22nd December 2018; Some rate cuts, Decisions to extend filing of GSTR-9,9A and 9C upto 30th June 2019, New return filing to be made applicable on trial basis from 1st April 2019 and many more were announced.

8th December 2018

CBIC extends due date for filing GSTR-9, GSTR-9A and GSTR-9C from 31st December 2018 till 31st March 2019 for FY 2017-18.

8th December 2018

Next 31st GST Council meeting to be held on 22nd December 2018 at Delhi.

28th November 2018

Due dates for filing GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-4 have been extended in those places which were affected by cyclones Titli and Gaza: