Highlights of GST notifications

1. Extension on EVC facility for filing GST returns by Companies further extended till 31.10.2021, Relaxation while furnishing Form GST EWB-01 during the specified period for return defaulters:

CBIC vide notification no. 32/2021-Central tax dated 29th August 2021 make the following changes in CGST Rules:

• The EVC (Electronic Verification Code) facility for Companies for filing GSTR-3B and GSTR-1 returns has further extended till 31st October,2021. No EVC facility will be provided to companies w.e.f. 1st November, 2021.
• Fifth Proviso has been inserted in Rule 138E which states that restriction shall not apply to furnish information in Part A of Form GST EWB-01 during the period from the 1 st day of May, 2021 till the 18th day of August, 2021, in case where the return in FORM GSTR-3B or the statement of outward supplies in FORM GSTR-1 or the statement in FORM GST CMP-08, as the case may be, has not been furnished for the period March, 2021 to May, 2021.
• Changes in Form GST ASMT-14 prescribed for Assessment of unregistered person.

2. Extension in specified period of Amnesty Scheme of waiver of late fee for defaulted GSTR-3B returns for the months/quarters from Jul,2017 to April 2021 files between the period 01.06.2021 to 31.08.2021, now further extended to 30.11.2021: CBIC has issued notification vide notification no. 33/2021-Central tax dated 29th August 2021 by substituting the date in the Notification No. 19/2021 from 31st August 2021 to 30th November 2021. The registered persons who failed to furnish the return in FORM GSTR-3B for the months /quarter of July, 2017 to April, 2021, by the due date but furnish the said return between the period from the 1st day of June, 2021 to the 30th day of November, 2021 by allowing waiver of late fees.

3. Extension in specified period for filing of application for revocation of cancellation of registration further to 30.09.2021: CBIC has issued notification vide notification no. 34/2021-Central tax dated 29th August 2021 by extending the specified period for filing application for revocation of cancellation of registration, wherein due date for filing such application falls between 01.03.2020 to 31.08.2021 now extended to 30.09.2021, in cases where registration has been cancelled under clause (b) or clause (c) of section 29(2) of the CGST Act.

Custom Notifications:

4. Extension granted to Medical oxygen, Covid vaccines till 30th September 2021: CBIC has issued a notification vide notification No. 41/2021-Customs tax dated 30th August 2021 by extending exemptions granted to medical oxygen, covid vaccines, oxygen and oxygen equipment from customs duty and health cess from 31st August 2021 to 30th September, 2021.

5. Reduction in rates of Basic custom duty of various goods: CBIC has issued a notification vide notification No. 40/2021-Customs tax dated 19th August 2021 by changes in rate of basic custom duty with effect from 20th August 2021 till 30th September 2021 as follows:

6. Extension of last date of export further by 6 months where the last date of export falls between 01st February 2021 and 30th June 2021: CBIC has issued a notification vide notification no. 39/2021-Customs tax dated 19th August 2021 by inserting proviso in Notification 17/2021-Customs extended the last date of exports by further six months if the last date of exports falls between the 1st February, 2021 and 30th June 2021.

7. Commissioner allows to reduce the amount of security required in case of provisional assessment under customs: CBIC has issued a Circular vide circular no. 19/2021-customs dated 16th Aug 2021 to amend the Circular No.38/2016-customs with the insertion of a new entry 5(d) to reduce the amount of security required in case of provisional assessment under customs. This has been done to facilitate trade and provide them flexibility to reduce security amount in suitable cases.