Tax Connect’s Analysis of The Recommendations of 43rd GST Council Meeting Held On 28th May 2021

A. Annual Return For The Financial Year 2020-21:

The following changes will apply for Annual Return for FY 2020-21:

1. The filing of annual return in FORM GSTR-9 / 9A to be optional for taxpayers having aggregate annual turnover up to Rs 2 Crore;
2. The reconciliation statement in FORM GSTR-9C will be required to be filed by taxpayers with an annual aggregate turnover above Rs 5 Crore.
3. Taxpayers would be able to self-certify the reconciliation statement (GSTR 9C), instead of getting it certified by chartered accountants/cost accountants.

The Forms GSTR 9 & GSTR 9C for FY 2020-21 would be notified very soon without the area for CA Certification it seems. Some changes may also be made in the new Forms which need to be analyzed by Trade & Industry and implemented. Since this time the GSTR 9 & GSTR 9C need to be self-certified by CFO/Tax Head/Management, the responsibility on the management increases.

It is pertinent to mention that filing the GST Annual Forms is the last opportunity for the taxpayers to rectify any mistakes during the year and the same should be dealt with accordingly. Also, any inconsistency in filing Form GSTR 9 & GSTR 9C may result in notices from GST Data Analytics Directorate. Hence large taxpayers may need to get a voluntary GST Audit done before filing the GSTR 9 & GSTR 9C.

B. Interest On Net Cash Basis W.e.f. 01.07.2017: Retrospective Amendment In Section 50 Of The CGST Act

Interest under GST has been a widely litigated matter. When a taxpayer pays GST, he is entitled to get the Credit of ITC and he pays the balance in cash. It was very clear under Section 49 of The CGST Act itself that interest would be charged on the delayed payment on the cash portion only. However, the GST departments across the Country charged interest on even the ITC Credit portion available to the taxpayer and already paid to the Government. 

This matter will now be finally settled now by notification of the proviso under Section 50(1) as inserted by the Budget 2021. This will expectedly lay to rest all such litigation on Interest under GST.

C. Covid-19 Related Relief Measures For Taxpayers:

1. Relaxation to taxpayers in the filing of monthly/Quarterly return in Form GSTR-3B:

2. Certain other COVID-19 related relaxations provided as under:

• For Limitation in the GST Refund cases, many commissionerates were taking an opposite view that that the timelines as per CBIC would prevail over the Hon’ble Apex Court’s Order. The same was against the Constitution of India and the dispute is now put to rest by The GST Council

3. Exemption from IGST has been given up to 31.08.2021 for the following goods, if imported on a payment basis, for donating to the government or on the recommendation of state authority to any relief agency or even “free of cost” for free distribution:

• medical oxygen, 

• oxygen concentrators and 

• other oxygen storage and transportation equipment, 

• certain diagnostic markers test kits and 

• COVID-19 vaccines, etc.
• Amphotericin B

It may be mentioned that the above goods are also exempted from Basic Customs Duty (BCD).

The effect of The Delhi High Court’s Decision in the case of Gurucharan Singh seems to have been given effect to. 

4. The GST rate on Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) tablets has been reduced to 5% (from 12%).

D. Measures For Trade Facilitation:

1. Amnesty Scheme to provide relief to taxpayers regarding the late fee for pending returns (July 2017 to April 2021):

It is important to note here that it seems that this amnesty is only for a delay in GSTR 3B and not for GSTR-1. In case the same be so finally, then it would not be very beneficial.

2. Rationalization of the late fee imposed under section 47 of the CGST Act (applicable for prospective tax periods):

E. GST Rates –

1. Leviability of IGST on repair value of goods re-imported after repairs to be laid down soon
2. GST rate of 12% to apply on parts of sprinklers/drip irrigation systems falling under tariff heading 8424 (nozzle/laterals) to apply even if these are sold separately.

Refer to Circular No. 81/55/2018-GST Dated, 31st December 2018 which clarified that the term “sprinklers”, in the said entry 195B of the Schedule II to notification No. 1/2017- Central Tax (Rate), dated 28.06.207 covers ‘sprinkler irrigation system’. sprinkler system consisting of nozzles, lateral and other components would attract 12% GST rate’

This is a welcome move for the irrigation Sector

F. Clarification Has Been Issued In Respect Of Certain Services:

3. Major Relief To Mill Owners Performing Job Work For Public Distribution System – 

Supply of service by way of milling of wheat/paddy into flour (fortified with minerals etc. by millers or otherwise)/rice to Government/ local authority etc. for distribution of such flour or rice under PDS is exempt from GST if the value of goods in such composite supply does not exceed 25%. Otherwise, such services would attract GST at the rate of 5% if supplied to any person registered in GST, including a person registered for payment of TDS.

It is to be noted that massive search operations were conducted by DGGI in West Bengal on Flour Mill Owners challenging the GST Rate to be applied. It is important now to see whether the amendment is prospective or retrospective. 

4. Real Estate Relief –

Landowner promoters could utilize the credit of GST charged to them by developer promoters in respect of such apartments that are subsequently sold by the land promotor and on which GST is paid. The developer promotor shall be allowed to pay GST relating to such apartments any time before or at the time of issuance of the completion certificate.

There are 2 relief measures herein –

a. ITC Availment by Landowner promoters on GST charged to them by developer promoters

b. Time of Supply for developer promotors – any time before or at the time of issuance of completion certificate

5. Services supplied to an educational institution including Anganwadi (which provides pre-school education also), by way of serving of food including mid-day meals under any midday meals scheme, sponsored by Government is exempt from levy of GST irrespective of funding of such supplies from government grants or corporate donations.

Earlier such institutions run by corporate donations were not considered as exempt.

6. Services provided by way of examination including entrance examination, where the fee is charged for such examinations, by National Board of Examination (NBE), or similar Central or State Educational Boards, and input services relating thereto are exempt from GST.

7. GST on MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) services in respect of ships/vessels shall be reduced to 5% (from 18%). It has been clarified that PoS (Place of Supply) of B2B supply of MRO Services in respect of ships/ vessels would be the location of the recipient of service.

There are 2 relief measures herein –

a. The major relief is the amendment of Place of supply for B2B supply of MRO Services to be recipient’s place – in case of the foreign recipient of services this would result in the services categorized as ‘exports’.

b. Reduction in GST Rate on MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) services in respect of ships/vessels to 5% from 18%.

8. GST is payable on annuity payments received as deferred payment for construction of the road. The benefit of the exemption is for such annuities which are paid for the service by way of access to a road or a bridge.

9. Services supplied to a Government Entity by way of construction of a rope-way attract GST at the rate of 18%.

10. Services supplied by Govt. to its undertaking/PSU by way of guaranteeing loans taken by such entity from banks and financial institutions is exempt from GST.

G. The CGST Act and Rules would be amended so as to remove the GSTR-2 & GSTR-3 related provisions so that GSTR 3B and GSTR 1 would be the return filing system only.

It is to be noted that GSTR-2 & GSTR-3 have never seen the light of day and keeping the said provisions in the GST Law are not required anymore.

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