GST Audit due date for FY 2017-18 Again Extended

GST Audit due date for FY 2017-18 Again Extended

Recent News:

The due date to file the GST Annual Returns in GSTR-9 Form and GST Audit Report in GSTR-9C Form was December 31st, 2018 which has been already extended three times i.e., 31st March, 2019; 30th June, 2019 and 31st August, 2019. But as per the recent statistics presented by the taxation authorities only 15% of the total tax returns and 1% of the total audit reports have been submitted by the taxpayers till now. The tax officials have already warned the taxpayers to file for the same in the due time or else they have to face severe consequences and hefty penalties.

It was also noted by the tax authorities that such delays in filing was due to the technical issues, clarification and interpretation related issues and not due to non-compliance and lethargy of the taxpayer. Such a low return filing status must be seen as an indication by the authorities that the trade industry is facing some serious hardships and problems that are genuine. Therefore, the dates have been extended for the fourth time by the government and many other changes have also been introduced by the taxation authorities to provide adequate time and space to the taxpayers to compile and file the same timely and compliantly.

If we talk about the above two important forms, then Form GSTR-9 is to file the annual return to be filed on yearly basis by the taxpayers having GST Registration. GSTR-9C is statement of Reconciliation that a taxpayer has to show between the filed annual returns and the audited financial statements of particular financial year. The government has made certain simplifications in both the forms and have made some field sections and parts optional to be stated for the taxpayer.

The amendments related to these simplifications in GSTR-9 Form and GSTR-9C have been notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). This was done so that the taxpayers don’t have to file the details regarding input services, capital goods, information related to HSN of the inwards and outward supplies, input tax credits availed by them on inputs etc. for FY 2017-18 and FY2018-19 and to make the filing process easier. But from the next financial year 2019-20 the same has to be filed as well.

Extension in due dates:

The due date to file GSTR-9 Form and GSTR-9C Form have been extended by the government for the fiscal year 2017-18 and 2018-19. Previously, the taxpayers were asked to file the income tax returns and the reconciliation statements for FY 2018 by November 30th, 2019 and for FY 2019 by December 31st, 2019. But now, the taxpayers are required to file Form GSTR-9 and Form GSTR-9C by December 31st, 2019 for FY 2018 and March 31st, 2020 for the FY 2019.

The simplifications in forms and the extensions in due dates have been made for taxpayer’s convenience. CBIC is expecting that these changes will allow the taxpayers to file the annual return GSTR-9 Form and reconciliation statement GSTR-9C Form in time for the above-mentioned fiscal years.

Author: Anil Agrawal
EZYBIZ India Consulting LLP, New Delhi. The firm is business and tax consultancy firm providing consultancy in Taxation, Regulatory, Transfer pricing, Valuation, Corporate funding and Business set up matters. He may be reached at 9899217778 or anil@ezybizindia.in.