Late Fee Rationalisation – Annual Return (Sec. 44) Filing Extended

Notification No.: 25/2023 – Central Tax
Date of Notification: 17th July 2023

Relevant Sections and Rules:

• Central GST Act, 2017:
  • Section 47 – Levy of late fee for delayed filing of returns
  • Section 128 – Power to waive late fee
• Earlier Notification Amended:
  • Notification No. 07/2023 – Central Tax, dated 31st March 2023 – Late fee waiver/reduction for annual return (Section 44)

Summary of Notification:

1. This notification amends Notification No. 07/2023 – Central Tax, which provided waiver and reduction of late fee for filing annual returns under Section 44 (FORM GSTR-9).
2. The amnesty window for furnishing pending annual returns with reduced late fee has been extended.
3. The earlier deadline of 30th June 2023 has been substituted with 31st August 2023, thereby giving taxpayers additional time to avail the benefit of capped late fee.
4. The notification is deemed to have come into effect from 30th June 2023, ensuring continuous relief without break.

Source: Notification No.: 25/2023 – Central Tax