Case Law Details
Sanscorp India Private Ltd. Vs Assistant Commissioner (Kerala High Court)
The Kerala High Court recently issued a significant ruling in M/s Sanscorp India Pvt Ltd. v. The Assistant Commissioner, Goods and Service Tax Network, Union of India [WP(C) No.24904 of 2023 dated September 14, 2023] regarding the cancellation of GST (Goods and Services Tax) registration for non-filing of GSTR-3B returns over an extended period. This decision has implications for taxpayers and businesses in India.
The Hon’ble Kerala High Court held that, if an assessee fails to file the returns for a continuous period of six months, his registration is liable to be cancelled and interest will be levied for any delayed payments. In this article, we will delve into the details of the case, the court’s ruling, and the key takeaways for taxpayers.
Facts:
M/s Sanscorp India Pvt. Ltd. (“the Petitioner”) is a registered dealer under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (“the CGST Act”) and failed to upload returns in GSTR 3B for the period from April, 2022 to December, 2022.
The Revenue Department (“the Respondent”) issued a Show Cause Notice (“the SCN”) to the Petitioner to show cause as to why the GST registration should not be cancelled for the failure to file returns for a continuous period of six months.
As per Section 29 of the CGST Act, 2017 if a dealer fails to file returns continuously for a period of six months, his registration is likely to be cancelled.
The Adjudicating Authority vide Order dated March 04, 2023 (“the Impugned Order”) cancelled the GST Registration of the Petitioner retrospectively from January 15, 2023.
The Petitioner filed GSTR 3B dated July 24, 2023 after the cancellation of the registration, and paid tax along with interest and contended that GST software is not in consonance with the CGST Act and the Rules.
The Petitioner further contended that if the GST amount and the interest are paid, then the Petitioner cannot be held to be a defaulter for not filing the return, the proceedings for cancellation of the registration becomes non est and the order cancelling registration ought to be restored.
Aggrieved by the Impugned Order the Petitioner filed a writ before the Hon’ble Kerala High Court to restore the order of registration cancellation.
Issue:
Whether Revenue Department can cancel the GST registration retrospectively if the assessee fails to file GSTR 3B for several years?
Held:
The Hon’ble Kerala High Court in WP(C) No.24904 of 2023 held as under:
- Observed that, if Petitioner fails to file the returns for a continuous period of six months, his registration is liable to be cancelled, there is no contradiction in the provisions of Section 50 or Section 29 of the CGST Act.
- Opined that, provisions for cancellation of registration and making payment of the tax due with interest are different, both the provisions have different scope, purpose and intent.
- Noted that, an alternative remedy is available to the Petitioner as per the CGST Act and the Rules thereto, which the Petitioner should have resorted to within the statutory prescribed limit.
- Further Noted that, it cannot be said that the GST portal is not viable as the whole country files returns and pays tax by uploading the same in the same software.
- Held that, the Adjudicating Authority can cancel GST registration if Petitioner fails to make payment of the full GST amount or part thereof, and interest will be levied for any delayed payments.
Conclusion and Implications:
The Kerala High Court’s ruling reaffirms the legal provision that allows for the cancellation of GST registration if a taxpayer fails to file GSTR-3B returns for a continuous period of six months. It underscores the importance of adhering to GST compliance requirements and availing alternative remedies provided by the law.
Taxpayers and businesses must be diligent in meeting their GST filing obligations to avoid registration cancellations and potential legal consequences. Additionally, this ruling highlights the need for timely action and the utilization of available remedies in case of disputes related to GST compliance.
FULL TEXT OF THE JUDGMENT/ORDER OF KERALA HIGH COURT
The present writ petition has been filed impugning Exhibit P3 order of cancellation of GST registration of the petitioner on the ground of non filing of the returns, despite notice.
2. The petitioner was a registered dealer under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (‘GST Act, 2017’ for short). The petitioner had failed to upload returns in form 3B for the period from April, 2022 to December, 2022 under Section 39 of the GST Act, 2017. As per Section 29 of the GST Act, 2017, if a dealer fails to file returns continuously for a period of six months, his registration is likely to be cancelled. The petitioner was issued with Exhibit P2 show cause notice directing him to show cause as to why registration under the GST Act, 2017 should not be cancelled for the failure to file returns for a continuous period of six months and also to appear before the authority on 13.02.2023 and he was given time to file reply to the show cause notice and also to appear for personal hearing. Despite the said notice, neither the petitioner filed a reply, nor he had filed a return. Therefore, the petitioner’s registration was cancelled with effect from 15.01.2023, vide Exhibit P3 order dated 04.03.2023. Hence this writ petition seeking the following reliefs:
1) Issue a writ of certiorari quashing Exhibit P3 order cancelling the registration under the GST Acts;
2) Issue a writ of mandamus directing the second and/or third respondents to remove condition presently existing in the GTS site that unless payment of taxes/late fee/interest is made, return cannot be uploaded finding that the same is unauthorised by the Act and the Rules; and
3) Issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to keep open the GST site for the petitioners so as to enable them to continue their trading activities;
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that after the cancellation of the registration, the petitioner had filed Exhibit P4 return dated 24.07.2023 i.e., after four months from the date of the impugned Exhibit P3 order. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that since the petitioner has paid the tax along with the interest thereon, the petitioner’s registration is liable to be restored. As per Section 15 of the GST Act, 2017, an assessee is liable to pay interest, if he failed to make payment of the GST amount or part thereof. According to the learned counsel, if the GST amount and the interest is paid, then the petitioner cannot be held to be a defaulter for not filing the return and therefore, the proceedings for cancellation of the registration becomes non est and the order cancelling registration ought to be restored. I do not consider the said submission sustainable under law. The provisions for cancellation of registration and making payment of the tax due with interest are different. Both the provisions have different scope, purpose and intent. If an assessee fails to make payment of the full GST amount or part thereof, interest is liable to be levied for the delayed payment.
4. Further, if an assessee fails to file the returns for a continuous period of six months, his registration is liable to be cancelled. I do not find any contradiction in the provisions of Section 50 or Section 29 of the GST Act, 2017. An alternative remedy is available to the petitioner as per the Act and the Rules thereto, which the petitioner should have resorted to within the statutory prescribed limit. Against the order of cancellation of registration, the petitioner ought to have availed the remedy of appeal within a maximum period of three months from the date on which the order is communicated. Admittedly, the petitioner did not file returns for a period of six months consecutively and therefore, the authority has no option than to cancel the registration. I do not find any error of law in the exercise of jurisdiction by the authority in cancelling the registration of the petitioner.
5. Therefore, the writ petition is dismissed. It is made clear that if the petitioner applies for fresh registration, the said application shall be considered in accordance with law, expeditiously.
Even though the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the GST software is not in consonance with the Act and the Rules thereto, the said contention is only to be rejected. When the whole of the country files returns and pays tax by uploading the same in the same software, it cannot be said that the GST portal is not viable.
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