GST Recovery of Interest on Net Cash Tax Liability

CBIC vide F. No. CBEC-20/01/08/2019-GST dated September 18, 2020 has provided for Administrative instructions for recovery of interest on net cash tax liability w.e.f. July 01, 2017. 

Based on the recommendations of the 35th meeting of the GST Council held on June 21, 2019 the provision of section 50 was amended vide section 100 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2019 to provide for charging interest on the net cash tax liability. The said amendment was to be made effective from a date to be notified by the Government. Accordingly, the said provision was made effective vide notification No. 63/2020 Central Tax dated August 25, 2020, w.e.f. September 01, 2020.

The GST Council, in its 39th meeting, held on March 14, 2020 recommended interest to be charged on the net cash tax liability w.e.f. July 01, 2017 and accordingly, recommended the amendment of section 50 of the CGST Act retrospectively w.e.f. July 01, 2017. The retrospective amendment in the GST laws would be carried out in due course through suitable legislation. 

Post issuance of notification 63/2020 Central Tax dated August 25, 2020, there were apprehensions raised by taxpayers that the said notification is issued contrary to the Council’s recommendation to charge interest on net cash liability w.e.f. July 01, 2017. Consequently, a press release, dated August 26, 2020 was issued to clarify the position. Further, in order to implement the decision of the Council in its true spirit, and at the same time working within the present legal framework, it has been decided to address the issue through administrative arrangements, as under:

👉First, for the period July 01, 2017 to August 31, 2020, field formations in your jurisdiction may be instructed to recover interest only on the net cash tax liability (i.e. that portion of the tax that has been paid by debiting the electronic cash ledger or is payable through cash ledger); and

👉Second, wherever SCNs have been issued on gross tax payable, the same may be kept in Call Book till the retrospective amendment in section 50 of the CGST Act is carried out.

Government of India issued an administrative instruction dated September 18, 2020, for recovery of interest on net cash tax liability w.e.f. July 01, 2017.

SOURCE : www.gst.gov.in

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