The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Amnesty Scheme 2025, introduced under Section 128A of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, became effective on November 1, 2024. This initiative aims to provide relief to taxpayers by waiving interest and penalties on tax demands for the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20, provided the principal tax amount is paid in full by March 31, 2025.
Key Features of the GST Amnesty Scheme 2025:
- Waiver of Interest and Penalties: Applicable to tax demands under Section 73 of the CGST Act, which pertains to non-fraud cases for the specified financial years.
- Eligibility: Taxpayers with outstanding tax liabilities for the mentioned periods can avail themselves of the scheme, provided there are no allegations of fraud or willful misrepresentation.
- Application Process: After paying the full tax amount by March 31, 2025, taxpayers must submit an application using Form GST SPL-01 or SPL-02, as applicable, by June 30, 2025.
Recent Amendments and Clarifications:
To address challenges faced by taxpayers, the government has made certain amendments to Rule 164 of the CGST Rules:
Payment of Tax Demand: In cases where notices or orders cover periods both within and outside the scope of the amnesty scheme, taxpayers are now permitted to pay only the tax amount pertaining to the eligible periods (FY 2017-18 to 2019-20) to avail the benefits.
Appeals for Non-Eligible Periods: Taxpayers can continue to pursue appeals for periods not covered under the amnesty scheme without affecting their eligibility for relief for the specified financial years.
Important Deadlines:
- Tax Payment: March 31, 2025.
- Application Submission: June 30, 2025.
It’s crucial for eligible taxpayers to adhere to these deadlines to benefit from the waiver of interest and penalties. Failure to pay the outstanding tax by March 31, 2025, will render the taxpayer ineligible for the amnesty benefits, even if the application is submitted before June 30, 2025.
Given that today is April 1, 2025, the deadline for tax payment has passed. However, there have been representations requesting an extension of the payment deadline to June 30, 2025, to allow taxpayers additional time to settle their liabilities. It’s advisable to stay updated with official announcements from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) regarding any extensions or modifications to the scheme.
For detailed guidance and to assess your eligibility, consulting with a tax professional or referring to official CBIC communications is recommended.
Sources
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