The GST Council, in its 21st meeting held at Hyderabad on 9th September 2017, has recommended the following measures to facilitate taxpayers:
1- In view of the difficulties being faced by taxpayers in filing returns, the following revised schedule has been approved:
- GSTR-1 for the tax period July,2017 may be filed upto 10th October , 2017 . However for registered persons with aggregate turnover of more than Rs. 100 crores, the due date of filing of GSTR-1 for July,2017 shall be 3rdOctober 2017.
- GSTR-2 for the tax period July , 2017 may be filed upto 31st October , 2017.
- GSTR-3 for the tax period July, 2017 may be filed upto 10th November , 2017.
- GSTR-4 for the tax period July-September , 2017 may be filed upto 18th October,2017 and no change has been recommended in this prescribed date.
- GSTR-6 for the tax period July, 2017 may be filed upto 13th October , 2017 .
- It has also been clarified that Due dates for filing of the above mentioned returns for subsequent periods shall be notified at a later date.
- GSTR-3B will continue to be filed for the months of August to December, 2017.
2- Date for opting Composition Extended :
A registered person (whether migrated or new registrant), who could not opt for composition scheme, shall be given the option to avail composition till 30th September 2017 and such registered person shall be permitted to avail the benefit of composition scheme with effect from 1st October, 2017.
3- Presently, any person making inter-state taxable supplies is not eligible for threshold exemption of Rs. 20 lacs (Rs. 10 lacs in special category states except J & K) and is liable for registration. It has been decided to allow an exemption from registration to persons making inter-State taxable supplies of handicraft goods upto aggregate turnover of Rs. 20 lacs as long as the person has a Permanent Account Number (PAN) and the goods move under the cover of an e-way bill, irrespective of the value of the consignment.
4- Presently, a job worker making inter-State taxable supply of job work service is not eligible for threshold exemption of Rs. 20 lacs (Rs. 10 lacs in special category states except J & K) and is liable for registration. It has been decided to exempt those job workers from obtaining registration who are making inter-State taxable supply of job work service to a registered person as long as the goods move under the cover of an e-way bill, irrespective of the value of the consignment. This exemption will not be available to job work in relation to jewellery, goldsmiths’ and silversmiths’ wares as covered under Chapter 71 which do not require e-way bill.
5- FORM GST TRAN-1 can be revised once.
6- The due date for submission of FORM GST TRAN-1 has been extended by one month i.e. 31st October, 2017.
7- The registration for persons liable to deduct tax at source (TDS) and collect tax at source (TCS) will commence from 18thSeptember 2017. However, the date from which TDS and TCS will be deducted or collected will be notified by the Council later.
8- The GST Council has decided to set up a committee consisting of officers from both the Centre and the States under the chairmanship of the Revenue Secretary to examine the issues related to exports.
9- The GST Council has also decided to constitute a Group of Ministers to monitor and resolve the IT challenges faced during GST implementation.
( Source of Information : Press Information Bureau , Government of India , Ministry of Finance )