May 23, 2019

26th GST Council Meeting – Snapshots

Read all updates on 26th GST Council Meeting

1. Return filing System

The present system of filing of GSTR 3B and GSTR 1 is extended for another three months i.e., April to June, 2018 till the new return system is finalized. A new model was discussed extensively and Group of Ministers on IT has been tasked to finalize the same.

2. Reverse charge mechanism

The liability to pay tax on reverse charge basis has been deferred till 30.06.2018. In the meantime, a Group of Ministers will look into the modalities of its implementation to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the trade and industry.

3. TDS/TCS

The provisions for deduction of tax at source (TDS) under section 51 of the CGST Act and collection of tax at source (TCS) under section 52 of the CGST Act shall remain suspended till 30.06.2018. In the meantime, the modalities of linking State and Central Governments accounting system with GSTN will be worked out so that seamless credit is available to the registered traders whose tax is deducted or collected at source.

4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism

GST implementation Committee (GIC) has been tasked with the work of redressing the grievances caused to the taxpayers arising out of IT glitches.

5. Extension of Tax Exemption for Exporters for 6 months

i. An interim solution was found by re-introducing the pre GST tax exemptions on such imports. Additionally, for merchant exporters a special scheme of payment of GST @ 0.1% on their procured goods was introduced. Also, domestic procurement made under Advance Authorization, EPCG and EOU schemes were recognized as ‘deemed exports’ with flexibility for either the suppliers or the exporters being able to claim a refund of GST / IGST paid thereon. All these avenues were made available upto 31.03.2018.

6. Extend the present dispensation in terms of exemptions etc. which is available up to 31.03.2018, for a further 6 months i.e., up to 01.10.2018

ii. The permanent solution agreed to by the Council was to introduce an e-Wallet scheme w.e.f. 01.04.2018. The e-Wallet scheme is basically the creation of electronic eWallets, which would be credited with notional or virtual currency by the DGFT. This notional / virtual currency would be used by the exporters to make the payment of GST / IGST on the goods imported / procured by them so their funds are not blocked.

The Council agreed to defer the implementation of the e-Wallet scheme by 6 months i.e., up to 01.10.2018

7. Welcome changes in Eway Bill

The GST Council has recommended the introduction of e-way bill for inter-State movement of goods across the country from 01^st April 2018. For intra-State movement of goods, e-way bill system will be introduced w.e.f. a date to be announced in a phased manner but not later than 01^st June, 2018.

E-way bill is required to be generated only where the value of the consignment exceeds Rs. 50000/-. For smaller value consignments, no e-way bill is required.
The provisions of sub-rule (7) of Rule 138 will be notified from a later date. Therefore, at present there is no requirement to generate e-way bill where an individual consignment value is less than Rs. 50,000/-, even if the transporter is carrying goods of more than Rs. 50,000/- in a single conveyance.
Value of exempted goods has been excluded from value of the consignment, for the purpose of e-way bill generation.
Public conveyance has also been included as a mode of transport and the responsibility of generating the e-way bill in case of movement of goods by public transport would be that of the consignor or consignee.
Railways have been exempted from generation and carrying of e-way bill with the condition that without the production of the e-way bill, railways will not deliver the goods to the recipient. But railways are required to carry invoice or delivery challan etc.
The time period for the recipient to communicate his acceptance or rejection of the consignment would be the validity period of the concerned e-way bill or 72 hours, whichever is earlier.
In the case of the movement of goods on account of job-work, the registered job worker can also generate e-way bill.
Consignor can authorize the transporter, courier agency and e-commerce operator to fill PART-A of e-way bill on his behalf.
Movement of goods from the place of consignor to the place of transporter up to a distance of 50 Km [increased from 10 km] does not require filling of PART-B of e-way bill. They have to generate PART-A of e-way bill.
Extra validity period has been provided for Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC).
If the goods cannot be transported within the validity period of the e-way bill, the transporter may extend the validity period in case of transshipment or in case of circumstances of an exceptional nature.
The validity of one day will expire at midnight of the day immediately following the date of generation of e-way bill.
Once verified by any tax officer, the same conveyance will not be subject to the second check-in any State or Union territory, unless and until specific information for the same is received.
In the case of movement of goods by railways, airways and waterways, the e-way bill can be generated even after the commencement of movement of goods.
Movement of goods on account of Bill-To-Ship-To supply will be handled through the capturing of place of despatch in PART-A of e-way bill.

8. Recommendations regarding Data Analytics

GST Council has been apprised of the fact that CBEC and GSTN have started detailed data analytics across a number of data sets available with them. The outcome of preliminary data analysis has revealed interesting insights:

a. It has emerged that there is variance between the amount of IGST & Compensation Cess paid by importers at Customs ports and an input tax credit of the same claimed in GSTR-3B.

b. There are major data gaps between self-declared liability in FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-3B.

It was deliberated that this information may be further analyzed and adequate action may be initiated accordingly.

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DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are strictly of the author and VJM & Associates LLP. The contents of this article are solely for informational purpose. It does not constitute professional advice or recommendation of firm. Neither the author nor firm and its affiliates accepts any liabilities for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of any information in this article nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

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