Important highlights in GST filing in 2020

Changes under the GST applicable for New Year 2020
  1. E-invoice : New E-invoicing system is going to be implemented in GST which is mandatory from 1st April 2020 for taxpayers having an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 100 crore and then gradually to all B2B suppliers in the future. A mechanism for the continuous upload of revenue invoices on a real-time basis. This is the most remarkable change coming in Indian Book Keeping.  
  2. New IRP in GST: Invoice Registration Portal would be introduced this new year. IRP shall make an e-invoice of the invoices uploaded by the supplier. IRP shall send the e-invoice to the supplier and recipient. IRP shall send e-invoices data to GSTN portal
  1. New Return: New simplified auto-mated GST returns would be implemented from 1st April 2020 for all taxpayers. This new returns system will increase compliance and reduce tax evasion to a larger extent.
  1. Annexure 1 and Annexure 2: Anx-1 of Outward Supplies and Anx-2 of Inward Supplies will be the future base for filing of all GST Returns, thus these 2 reports will be the key for future reports of GST which will replace GSTR 1 and GSTR-2A.
  1. Restriction on claim of ITC: With effect from 01/01/2020, ITC in respect of invoices or debit notes that are not reflected in taxpayer’s FORM GSTR-2A shall be restricted to 10 percent of the eligible ITC reflected in his FORM GSTR-2A. Earlier the restriction was 20%. A major change in ITC availment.
  1. E-way Bill and GSTR-1: From 11th January, 2020 non-filing of GSTR-1 for two consecutive periods would block generation of E-way Bill. Thus, regular filing of GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B in year 2020 should go hand in hand.
  1. Waiver of late fees for Non-filing of GSTR-1: If the taxpayer has failed to file GSTR-1 from July 2017 to November 2019, then the taxpayers can file such returns till 10 January, 2020 and the late fees for the same has been waived of. This will also affect GSTR-2A of the recipient to claim ITC.
  1. GST Audit and Annual Return: The due date for filing GST Annual Return and Audit Report for F.Y. 2017-18 has been further extended to 31st January, 2020.The due date for filing GST Annual Return and Audit Report for F.Y 2018-19 has been extended to 31st March, 2020. For F.Y 2019-20 new format may be brought in because of inherent limitations in current forms.
  1. DIN notices and E-scrutiny: Due to decline in collection of revenue from GST, large scale e-scrutiny and e-assessment notices with DIN for the returns from July 2017 may be taken up. It would be done in order to check significant deviations in returns.
  1. GSTN Network is proposed to be reengineered for more taxpayer-centric services like reminder of return filing, status of refund, ITC matches and mismatches, etc.

Major announcements in GST council meet dt : 18th Dec 2019

Here are some of the major announcements in GST council meet dt : 18th Dec 2019

  1. The Council decided that input tax credit will now be restricted to 10 percent as against 20 percent earlier if invoices not uploaded.
  2. Deadline for GSTR 9 and GSTR 9C return filing for 2017-18 extended to January 31, 2020 from December 31, 2019 .
  3. Penalty for non-filing of GSTR-1 from July 2017 relaxed . Late fee waived for all assessees failed to file GSTR 1 , if they file it by 10th January 2019.
  4. GST Council exempts long term lease on industrial plots to facilitate setting up of industrial parks.
  5. Land lease GST rates to be applicable from January 1, 2020.
  6. Uniform rate of 18% for woven and non-woven bags.
  7. Uniform rate of 28% for lotteries.
    At present, lotteries run by state governments attract 12% GST while those authorised by them and sold outside the state are taxed at 28%.
  8. E-way bill for those who haven’t filed GSTR-1 for 2 tax periods shall be blocked.
  9. Standard procedure for officers to be issued in respect of action to be taken in cases of non-filing of GSTR-3B.
  10. Due date of filing GST returns for Nov 19 to be extended in certain north eastern states.
  11. Grievance redressal committees will be constituted to address the general problems of the taxpayers at zonal and state level with both CGST and SGST officers and including certain representatives.

Insolvency regime for personal guarantors to corporate debtors from December 1

The provisions for resolution for individuals under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) is being implemented in a phased manner. On Friday, the corporate affairs ministry said the provision pertaining to personal guarantors to corporate debtors will be in force from December 1
A case is taken up for resolution under the law only after approval from the National Company Law Tribunal.

The insolvency regime for individual guarantors to corporate debtors will be in force from December 1, according to the government.

The provisions for resolution for individuals under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) is being implemented in a phased manner.

On Friday, the corporate affairs ministry said the provision pertaining to personal guarantors to corporate debtors would come into force from December 1.

The Code provides for a market-driven and time-bound resolution for stressed assets.

A case is taken up for resolution under the law only after approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

In October, Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas said personal insolvency regime would be fully operational in one year.

“In the first phase, personal guarantor to a corporate debtor is almost under commencement. The next would be the fresh start process, basically giving relief to very small borrowers who are not in a position to repay the debt. That may be in another four to six months. Then proprietorship and partnership and others,” he had said.

Source : Economic Times

Income Tax Return Forms for Salaried Class, Professionals and self-employed individuals available for e-filing

The Income Tax Department has informed that the tax return forms i.e, ITR-1 and ITR-4 for the salaried persons, Professionals, and self-employed individuals are available in the official portal for e-filing.

It also said that the other forms for Companies and other entities will be available in the portal shortly.

“ITR 1 & 4 for AY 2019-20 is available for e-Filing. Other ITRs will be available shortly,” the department said.

The department has enabled ITR-1 which is largely used the salaried class of taxpayers with income up to Rs 50 lakh from salary, one house property only and additional income such as interest earned from fixed deposits, recurring deposits among others.

ITR-4 for professionals and self-employed individuals who have opted for the presumptive income scheme was launched in the e-portal.

A few days ago, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) had notified the income tax return forms for the year 2019-20.

Last year, the Government brought numerous reforms in the tax return forms.

Last year, the number of ITR Forms have been reduced from nine to seven forms.

The ITR Forms ITR-2, ITR-2A and ITR-3 have been rationalized and a single ITR-2 has been notified in place of these three forms.

All seven ITRs are to be filed electronically on the official web portal of the department -https://www.incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in – except for some category of taxpayers.

From this year onwards, the quoting of Aadhaar with the income tax return is mandatory for e-filing after the latest Supreme Court verdict wherein the Apex Court overruled the judgment of the Delhi Court allowing the manual filing of tax return without mentioning Aadhaar number.

 

President promulgates Unregulated Deposit Scheme Ordinance

The law provides for attachment of properties or assets and subsequent realisation of assets for repayment to depositors.

The President on Thursday promulgated the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Scheme Ordinance which seek to curb the menace of ponzi schemes and make such unregulated deposit scheme punishable.

The Ordinance will help put a check on illicit deposit taking activities like Saradha scam and Rose Valley chit fund scam in the country that dupe poor and the financially illiterate of their hard earned savings.

The legislation contains a substantive banning clause which bans deposit takers from promoting, operating, issuing advertisements or accepting deposits in any unregulated deposit scheme.

“No deposit taker shall directly or indirectly promote, operate issue any advertisement soliciting participation or enrolment in or accept deposits in pursuance of an unregulated deposit scheme,” the Ordinance said.

The law also proposes to create three different types of offences — running of unregulated deposit schemes, fraudulent default in regulated deposit schemes, and wrongful inducement in relation to unregulated deposit schemes.

The Ordinance also provides for severe punishment ranging from 1 year to 10 years and pecuniary fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 50 crore to act as deterrent. It too has adequate provisions for disgorgement or repayment of deposits in cases where such schemes nonetheless manage to raise deposits illegally.

The law provides for attachment of properties or assets and subsequent realisation of assets for repayment to depositors. Clear-cut timelines have been provided for attachment of property and restitution to depositors.

It also enables creation of an online central database for collection and sharing of information on deposit-taking activities in the country.

Being a comprehensive union law, it adopts best practices from state laws, while entrusting the primary responsibility of implementing the provisions of the legislation to the state governments.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET 2019

HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET 2019

1. Within 2 years, Tax assessment will be done electronically
2. IT returns processing in just 24 hours
3. Minimum 14% revenue of GST to states by Central Govt.
4. Custom duty has been abolished from 36 Capital Goods
5. Recommendations to GST council for reducing GST rates for home buyers
6. Full Tax rebate upto 5 lakh annual income after all deductions.
7. Standard deduction has been increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000
8. Exemption of tax on second self-occupied house
9. Ceiling Limit of TDS u/s 194A has increased from Rs.10,000 to Rs. 40,000
10. Ceiling Limit of TDS u/s 194I has increased from Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,40,000
11. Capital Gains Tax Benefit u/s 54 has increased from investment in one residential house to two residential houses.
12. Benefit u/s 80IB has increased to one more year i.e. 2020
13. Benefit has been given to unsold inventory has increased to one year to two years.

Other Areas

14. State share has increased to 42%
15. PCA restriction has abolished from 3 major banks
16. 2 lakhs seats will increase for the reservation of 10%
17. 60000 crores for MANREGA
18. 1.7 Lakh crore to ensure food for all
19. 22nd AIIMS has to be opened in Haryana
20. Approval has to be given to PM Kisan Yojana
21. Rs. 6,000 per annum to be given to every farmer having upto 2 hectare land. Applicable from Sept 2018. Amount will be transferred in 3 installments
22. National Kamdhenu Ayog for cows. Rs. 750 crores for National Gokul Mission
23. 2% interest subvention for farmers pursuing animal husbandry and also create separate department for fisheries.
24. 2% interest subvention for farmers affected by natural calamities and additional 3% interest subvention for timely payment.
25. Tax free Gratuity limit increase to Rs. 20 Lakhs from Rs. 10 Lakhs
26. Bonus will be applicable for workers earning Rs. 21,000 monthly
27. The scheme, called Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan, will provide assured monthly pension of Rs. 3,000 with contribution of Rs. 100 per month for workers in unorganized sector after 60 years of age.
28. Government delivered 6 crores free LPG connections under Ujjawala scheme
29. 2% interest relief for MSME GST registered person
30. 26 weeks of Maternity Leaves to empower the women
31. More than 3 Lakhs crores for defence
32. One lakh digital villages in next 5 years
33. Single window for approval of India film maker.

GST Council slashes Rate on Certain Services

GST Council in the 31-meeting held on 22 December, 2018 at New Delhi took following decisions relating to changes in GST rates on goods and services. The decisions of the GST Council have been presented in this note for easy understanding. The same would be given effect to through Gazette notifications/ circulars which shall have force of law.

GST rate reduction on goods which were attracting GST rate of 28%:

28% to 18%

Pulleys, transmission shafts and cranks, gear boxes etc., falling under HS Code 8483

Monitors and TVs of upto screen size of 32 inches

Re-treaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber;

Power banks of lithium ion batteries. Lithium ion batteries are already at 18%. This will bring parity in

GST rate of power bank and lithium ion battery.

Digital cameras and video camera recorders

Video game consoles and other games and sports requisites falling under HS code 9504.

 28% to 5%

Parts and accessories for the carriages for disabled persons

GST rate reduction on other goods –

18% to 12%

Cork roughly squared or debagged

Articles of natural cork

Agglomerated cork

18% to 5%

Marble rubble

12% to 5%

Natural cork

Walking Stick

Fly ash Blocks

12% to Nil

Music Books

5% to Nil

Vegetables, (uncooked or cooked by steaming or boiling in water), frozen, branded and put in a unit container

Vegetable provisionally preserved (for example by sulphur dioxide gas, in brine, in sulphur water or in other preservative solutions), but unsuitable in that state for immediate consumption.

III. GST on solar power generating plant and other renewable energy plants

GST rate of 5% rate has been prescribed on renewable energy devices & parts for their manufacture (bio gas plant/solar power based devices, solar power generating system (SGPS) etc) [falling under chapter 84, 85 or 94 of the Tariff]. Other goods or services used in these plants attract applicable GST.

Certain disputes have arisen regarding GST rates where specified goods attracting 5% GST are supplied along with services of construction etc and other goods for solar power plant.

To resolve the dispute the Council has recommended that in all such cases, the 70% of the gross value shall be deemed as the value of supply of said goods attracting 5% rate and the remaining portion (30%) of the aggregate value of such EPC contract shall be deemed as the value of supply of taxable service attracting standard GST rate.

 Reduction in GST rates/exemptions on services:

GST rate on cinema tickets above Rs. 100 shall be reduced from 28% to 18% and on cinema tickets upto Rs. 100 from 18% to 12%.

GST rate on third party insurance premium of goods carrying vehicles shall be reduced from 18% to 12%

Services supplied by banks to Basic Saving Bank Deposit (BSBD) account holders under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) shall be exempted.

Air travel of pilgrims by non-scheduled/charter operations, for religious pilgrimage facilitated by the Government of India under bilateral arrangements shall attract the same rate of GST as applicable to similar flights in Economy class (i.e. 5% with ITC of input services).

Source: GST Rate reductions made during 31st Meeting of the GST Council