The entire world is reeling under severe pandemic, COVID 2019 or Corona virus and India too has been badly affected causing social disruption, economic shut down and health concerns. The economy is at a virtual standstill and entire nation is under lockdown since 25th March, 2020 resulting in shutdown of all offices, shops, showrooms, factories and everything. All individuals are confined to their homes. This has resulted in inability to fulfill statutory obligations in relation to payment of taxes and filings, besides other corporate and other responsibilities.
Also Read- Relaxations In GST Compliances Due To Covid 2019 (Part-2)
Central Government has provided various relaxations on payment and in filing of returns which, inter alia include allowing delayed payment of taxes, lower or nil rate of interest, extension of due dates for payment of GST and filing of GST returns etc.
The following tables provide the gist of relief / relaxation provided :
(A) GSTR-3B Returns
| S.
No. |
Return | Turnover | Period | Regular due date | Relief provided till | Interest | Late fee and penalty |
| 1 | GSTR 3B | Less than Rs. 1.5 crores | February | 22nd or 24th of next month | 30.06.2020 | No Interest if returns have been furnished on or before the dates till which relief is provided | Not payable if return filed before the date till which relief is provided. However, in case, the same is filed after said dates, late fees and penalty shall be levied.
The Govt. have not extended the due dates of filing of return but have only provided relief by waiving off penalty and late fees and reducing the interest rates. |
| March | 03.07.2020 | ||||||
| April | 06.07.2020 | ||||||
| 2 | More than Rs. 1.5 crore but up to Rs. 5 crores |
February |
22nd or 24th of next month | 29.06.2020 | |||
| March | |||||||
| 30.06.2020 | |||||||
| April | |||||||
| 3 | More than Rs. 5 crores | February | 20.03.2020 | 04.04.2020 | No interest till 15 days from regular due date and @ 9% thereafter provided returns have been furnished till relief date | ||
| March | 20.04.2020 | 05.05.2020 | |||||
| April | 20.05.2020 | 04.06.2020 |
(B) GSTR-1 Returns
| Return | Turnover | Period | Regular due date | Relief provided till | Interest | Late fee and penalty |
| GSTR-1 (Monthly) | More than Rs. 1.5 crores | March | 11.04.2020 | 30.06.202
0 |
Not applicable | Note payable if return filed before the date till which relief is provided. However, in case, the same is filed after said dates, late fees and penalty shall be levied.
The Government have not extended the due dates of filing of return but have only provided relief by waiving off penalty and late fees and reducing the interest rates. |
| April | 11.05.2020 | |||||
| May | 11.06.2020 | |||||
|
GSTR-1 (Quarterly) |
Less than Rs.1.5 crores |
Jan-Mar |
30.04.2020 |
(Source : Notification No. 31/2020-CT and 32/2020-CT dated 03.04.2020)
Following Illustration explains revised interest rate for taxpayers with aggregate turnover of more than Rs. 5 crores
| S.No | Due Date of filing of return | Date of filing of GSTR 3B | No. of days of Delay | Whether condition for reduced interest fulfilled | Interest |
| 1 | 20.04.2020 | 02.05.2020 | 11 | Yes | No interest |
| 2 | 20.04.2020 | 20.05.2020 | 30 | Yes | Zero interest for 15 days + Interest @ 9% p.a for 15 days |
| 3 | 20.04.2020 | 20.06.2020 | 61 | Yes | Zero interest for 15 days + interest rate @ 9% p.a. for 46 days |
| 4 | 20.04.2020 | 24.06.2020 | 65 | Yes | Zero interest for 15 days + Interest @ 9% p.a for 50 days |
| 5. | 20.04.2020 | 30.06.2020 | 71 | No | Interest @ 18% p.a for 71 days (i.e. no benefit of reduced interest) |
(Source : Circular No.136/6/2020 –GST dated 03.04.2020)
(C) Revised due dates for GSTR 3B return for the month of May, 2020
| Due Dates | Turnover |
|
27.06.2020 |
Taxpayers having an aggregate turnover of more than rupees 5 crores in the preceding financialyear |
|
12.07.2020 |
|
|
14.07.2020 |
Assam, WB, Jharkhand, Odisha, J&K, Ladakh, Chandigarh and Delhi |
(Source: Notification No. 30/2020- Central Tax dated 03.04.2020)
The above relaxations/extensions may be kept in mind by the tax payers for ensuring timely compliances within the relaxed norms/ extended date lines.
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