Ahmedabad: The Central Government has introduced amendments to the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, under the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024, aimed at enhancing tax compliance and easing taxpayer burdens. In alignment, the Gujarat government has issued an ordinance amending the state GST Act to extend these relaxations in GST interest and penalty to taxpayers in Gujarat.

In a press release, the Commissionerate of State Tax stated, “With the objective of ensuring greater tax compliance and easing burden on taxpayers, the Central Government has amended Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 vide the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024 containing various relaxations. Accordingly, the Government of Gujarat, has promulgated an Ordinance to amend the Gujarat GST Act for extending these relaxations to taxpayers of Gujarat. The notifications describing manner and procedure to avail relaxations like the GST Amnesty scheme, availment of ITC under section 16(5) and 16(6), etc. have also been issued.

“As per the amender provisions and notifications, cases falling under section 73 of the GST Act pertaining to the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20 are eligible to avail the benefit of interest and/or penalty waiver. Eligible taxpayers can avail the benefit through an online application from 01.11.2024 till 31.03.2025.”

“Taxpayers are also eligible to avail ITC under section 16(5) and 16(6) for the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21. To do so, eligible taxpayers will have to apply online for rectification. Taxpayers eligible to avail these relaxations are encouraged to prefer their applications in time,” the release also noted.