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Showing posts from August, 2020

Compendium of Covid-19 Relief Measures under GST Law prescribed by Government

Covid-19 Pandemic is being dubbed as the worst disaster of this century so far which has resulted in forced lock down measures across the globe. Every business sector barring few have been affected by this Pandemic causing a serious dent in their cash flows and profits. In India, Central Government forced the nationwide lock down on 24th March. However,various relief to businesses were announced by government as part of their AatmaNirbhar (Self-Reliant) Bharat (India). On similar lines, CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs) has announced relief measures pertaining to GST law and compliance to help businesses. These relief measures range from Relaxations & Extensions in Return Filing as well as regarding applicability of certain provisions under GST Law.This article covers all such measures in detail. Relaxations & Extensions given in Filing Dates of GSTR-3B (Notification No.54/2020-CT dated 24th June 2020) For Taxpayers having Aggregate Turnover > Rs.5 Cr in

Focal Points of the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Statement issued in August 2020

The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) issued its Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy Statement via a Press Release. RBI Governor Shaktikant Das addressed the media and put forward the highlights and the major changes that have been brought in by the Monetary Policy Committee. Similar to the June 2020 Monetary Policy Statement, this time too, RBI focused on easing the financial stress caused by the Covid-19 Disruptions. Following are the focal points of the Monetary Policy Statement issued by RBI today: 1.Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided to keep the Repo Rate unhinged at 4 Percent. Consequently, the Reverse Repo Rate stands at 3.35 Percent and the Bank Rate stands at 4.25 Percent. The MPC decided to continue with the accomodative stance to revive growth and mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the Indian Economy, while ensuring that inflation remains within the target going forward.  Assessments of Global Economy 1.MPC has assessed that the Contractions in the economic activity have been more seve

GSTN Releases FAQs on filing of GSTR-1 through SMS

The Goods & Services Tax Network (GSTN) Portal has recently released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to filing of "Nil" GSTR-1 through Simple Messaging Service (SMS) Facility. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) via Notification No.44/2020-CT dated 8th June 2020  amended Rule "67A" of CGST Rules,2017 by prescribing that a Taxpayer can File "Nil" Return in Form GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B through SMS Facility. "Nil" Return was explained as a Return under Section 37 for a tax period that has nil or no entry in all Tables in Form GSTR-1. However, The Manner of Filing Return through SMS was not provided by CBIC. Thus, with these FAQs GSTN Portal has now prescribed the manner of filing of GSTR-1. Some of the Important FAQs which a taxpayer should be aware of in order to file "Nil" GSTR-1 return are: 1. When can Form GSTR-1 be filed as Nil? Ans. Form GSTR-1 can be filed as a nil return if there are no outward suppli

CBIC prescribes Applicability of E-Invoice from 1st October 2020

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes (CBIC) has recently confirmed the date of Applicability of E-Invoicing Regime under GST from 1st October 2020 onwards via Notification No.61/2020-CT dated 30th July 2020 . CBIC has now changed the limit of turnover earlier specified by it for Taxpayers Required to Issue Invoice with Invoice Reference Number (I.R.N.) from E-Invoice System.Taxpayers with turnover exceeding Rs. 500 Crores in a financial year are required to Generate E-Invoice as against Taxpayers having Turnover exceeding Rs.100 Crores in a Financial Year as prescribed earlier by CBIC. For Starters, E-Invoicing System was introduced via  Notification No.70/2019-CT dated 13th December 2019 by CBIC for Taxpayers having turnover exceeding Rs.100 Crores in a Financial Year from 1st April 2020. Due to Covid-19 Pandemic and the resulting disruptions in business operations, CBIC deferred the applicability of E-Invoicing Regime from 1st October 2020 onwards instead of 1st April 2020 via Notifi