Discover the key highlights of the GST Amnesty Scheme introduced in April 2023 by the Finance Ministry. Explore relief measures, late fee reductions, and extended due dates outlined in CBIC’s notifications on 31st March, 2023.
Finance Ministry observed there are a large number of taxpayers who are not filing their GST Returns on time. To put an end to this continuous default and provide an opportunity to non-compliant taxpayers to be up to date with their filings, the GST Amnesty Scheme from April 2023 has been introduced. CBIC had issued various notifications on 31st March, 2023 which provides big relief to the registered taxpayers. All the Notifications are summarized below for reference.
1. GSTR- 4: If Composition taxpayers who has failed to furnish the return in FORM GSTR-4 for the period from July, 2017 to March 2022 and files the return during 1st April, 2023 to 30th June, 2023 then the late fee will be NIL in case there is no tax liability and in other cases has been restricted to Rs. 500/-.
2. Revocation of Cancelled Registrations: The registered person, whose registration has been cancelled on or before 31-12-2022 due to non-filing of returns and who has failed to apply for revocation of cancellation of such registration within the time period specified, shall apply for revocation of cancellation of their registrations upto 30th June, 2023 only after furnishing the returns due upto the effective date of cancellation of registration and after payment of any amount due as tax along with any amount payable towards interest, penalty and late fee in respect of the such returns.
It has also been provided that no further extension of time period for filing application shall be available in such cases.
3. Assessment Order: The registered persons who failed to furnish a valid return within a period of thirty days from the service of the assessment order u/s 62 of the Act issued on or before the 28th day of February, 2023 such persons should furnish the said return on or before 30.06.2023 with payment of interest and late fees.
4. Late Fees of GSTR-9: If taxpayer has not filed GSTR 9 for the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 or 2021-22, but furnish the said return during 1st April, 2023 to 30th June, 2023, the total amount of late fee under section 47 of the said Act payable in respect of the said return, shall be restricted to Rs. 20,000/- only.
Also, Late Fees from FY 2022-23 shall be applicable as below:
| Class of Registered Persons | Amount |
| Turnover up to Rs. 5 Crore | Rs. 50 per day (i.e., Rs 25 CGST and Rs 25 SGST) subject to a maximum of 0.04% (i.e., 0.02% CGST and 0.02% SGST) of the turnover for the relevant FY in the State or Union Territory |
| Turnover exceeding Rs 5 cr but up to Rs 20 cr | Rs. 100 per day (i.e., Rs 50 CGST and Rs 50 SGST) subject to a maximum of 0.04% (i.e., 0.02% CGST and 0.02% SGST) of the turnover for the relevant FY in the State or Union Territory |
| Turnover exceeding Rs 20 cr | Rs. 200 per day (i.e., Rs 100 CGST and Rs 100 SGST) subject to a maximum of 0.5% (i.e., 0.25% CGST and 0.25% SGST) of the turnover for the relevant FY in the State or Union Territory |
5. GSTR-10 i.e Final Return: If GSTR-10 is not filled within due date then late fee will be restricted to Rs.1000 if it’s filed between 01-04-2023 to 30-06-2023.
6. Due Dates Extended: The Government extended the time limit for issuance of order u/s 73 of the Act for recovery of tax not paid or short paid or of ITC wrongly availed or utilized. The extended due dates are as follows:
| Tax Period | Extended Due Date |
| 2017-18 | 31-12-2023 |
| 2018-19 | 31-03-2024 |
| 2019-20 | 30-06-2024 |
Source Notifications:-
| Title | Notification No. | Date |
| Final Return GSTR-10 Amnesty/Late Fee Reduction | Notification No. 08/2023–Central Tax [S.O.1563(E)] | 31/03/2023 |
| Amnesty cum Late Fees Reduction for Annual GST Return | Notification No. 07/2023–Central Tax [G.S.R. 250(E)] | 31/03/2023 |
| GST Amnesty scheme for registered persons who failed to furnish valid return – Section 62 | Notification No. 06/2023–Central Tax [G.S.R. 249(E)] | 31/03/2023 |
| GST registrations cancelled for non-filing of Return – Amnesty Scheme notified | Notification No. 03/2023–Central Tax [G.S.R. 246(E)] | 31/03/2023 |
| Late fees of FORM GSTR-4 waived for Return of July 2017 to March 2022 | Notification No. 02/2023–Central Tax [G.S.R. 245(E)] | 31/03/2023 |
(The author can be reached at cashubhikhandelwal@gmail.com)
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