The 40th GST council meeting was held on 12th June’ 2020 via video conferencing. This was the first council meeting after the outbreak of COVID-19.

SNR – GST Update

GST/2020-21/12

The 40^th GST council meeting was held on 12^th June’ 2020 via video conferencing. This was the first council meeting after the outbreak of COVID-19. The taxpayers were hoping to get few relaxations in this pandemic and the government was looking for the new avenues to boost up revenues. Key decisions taken in meeting are detailed below:

• GSTR-3B Filing – No Late fee for Taxpayers with Nil Tax Liability: Taxpayers having NIL tax liability can file their GSTR-3B for the period from 1st July 2017 to 31^st January 2020 without any late fee. The reduced late fee would apply for 3B returns filed between 1^st July 2020 to 30^th September
• GSTR-3B Filing – Maximum late fees capped to Rs 500 per return: Taxpayers with tax liability can file their GSTR-3B for the period 1^st July 2017 to 31^st January 2020 with late fee of Rs.500 per The reduced late fee would apply for 3B returns filed between 1^st July 2020 to 30^th September 2020.

• Relief to small taxpayers:
• February’2020 to April’ 2020: A further relief is given to small taxpayers with turnover up to Rs.5 crores for the late filing of return for the month of February 2020 to April 2020. They can file their return till 6^th July, 2020 with no interest and then with a reduced rate of 9% per annum till 30th September 2020.
• May 2020 to July 2020: All taxpayers with turnover up to Rs.5 crores can file returns for May 2020 to July 2020 till 30^th September 2020. No late fee & interest will be charged till September 2020 (staggered dates to be notified).
• Time extension in period for seeking revocation of cancellation of GST Registration upto 30th September for registration which have been cancelled till 12^th June
• Matters postponed for next meeting:

Compensation cess, Inverted duty structure issues, ITC accumulation of state portion and Taxing Pan Masala etc