CBIC Extends Due Dates To File These GST Forms: Check Report

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has extended due dates to file several Goods and Services Tax (GST) forms. The government has earlier given taxpayers solace by lowering or eliminating the late penalty for non-filing FORM GSTR-3B for tax periods from July 2017 to April 2021 if the returns were filed between June 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. The deadline to apply for the late fee amnesty scheme has now been extended from August 31, 2021 to November 30, 2021, according to the statement issued by CBIC.

"Based on the multiple representations received, Government has also extended the timelines for filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration to 30.09.2021, where the due date of filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration falls between 01.03.2020 to 31.08.2021. The extension would be applicable only in those cases where registrations have been cancelled under clause (b) or clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 29 of the CGST Act," reported CBIC.

For the period of 27.04.2021 to 31.08.2021, companies can file FORM GSTR-3B and FORM GSTR-1/ IFF utilising an electronic verification code (EVC) instead of a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). According to CBIC, the deadline for the same has been extended until October 31, 2021.

The above extension of the late fee amnesty scheme's deadline and the deadline for submitting an application for the abolishment of registration cancellation will benefit a large number of taxpayers, particularly small taxpayers, who were unable to submit their returns within the deadline due to a variety of factors, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic's dilemmas, due to which registrations were revoked. As a big relief to them, CBIC has mentioned that "taxpayers are requested to avail the benefit of these extensions at the earliest to avoid last minute rush."