GST WEEKLY UPDATE :26/2024-25 (29.09.2024) by CA Vipul Khandhar

-By CA Vipul Khandhar

1. Various effective dates have been declared for the effective applicability of the new amended gst section:

The Ministry of Finance, through Notification No. 17/2024–Central Tax dated September 27, 2024, announces the commencement dates for various provisions of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2024. The provisions of sections 118, 142, 148, and 150 will take effect from the date of the notification’s publication in the Official Gazette. And, sections 114 to 117, 119 to 141, 143 to 147, 149, and 151 to 157 will come into force on 1st November 2024.

2. Advisory for Biometric-Based Aadhaar Authentication and Document Verification for GST Registration Applicants of Odisha:

This is to inform taxpayers about recent developments concerning the application process for GST registration. It is advised to keep the following key points in mind during the registration process.

1. Rule 8 of the CGST Rules, 2017 has been amended to provide that an applicant can be identified on the common portal, based on data analysis and risk parameters for Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication and taking a photograph of the applicant along with the verification of the original copy of the documents uploaded with the application.

2. The above-said functionality has been developed by GSTN. It has been rolled out in Odisha on 28th September 2024.

3. The said functionality also provides for the document verification and appointment booking process. After the submission of the application in Form GST REG-01, the applicant will receive either of the following links in the e-mail,

(a)  A Link for OTP-based Aadhaar Authentication OR

(b)  A link for booking an appointment with a message to visit a GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) along with the details of the GSK and jurisdiction, for Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication and document verification (the intimation e-mail)

4. If the applicant receives the link for OTP-based Aadhaar Authentication as mentioned in point 3(a), she/he can proceed with the application as per the existing process.
5. However, if the applicant receives the link as mentioned in point 3(b), she/he will be required to book the appointment to visit the designated GSK, using the link provided in the e-mail.

6. The feature of booking an appointment to visit a designated GSK is now available for the applicants of Odisha.

7. After booking the appointment, the applicant gets the confirmation of appointment through e-mail (the appointment confirmation e-mail), she/he will be able to visit the designated GSK as per the chosen schedule.

8. At the time of the visit of GSK, the applicant is required to carry the following details/documents

(a)  a copy (hard/soft) of the appointment confirmation e-mail

(b)  the details of jurisdiction as mentioned in the intimation e-mail

(c)  Aadhaar Card and PAN Card (Original Copies)

(d)  the original documents that were uploaded with the application, as communicated by the intimation e-mail.

9. The biometric authentication and document verification will be done at the GSK, for all the required individuals as per the GST application Form REG-01

10. The applicant is required to choose an appointment for the biometric verification during the maximum permissible period for the application as indicated in the intimation e-mail. In such cases, ARNs will be generated once the Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication process and document verification are completed.

11. The operation days and hours of GSKs will be as per the guidelines provided by the administration in your respective State.

3. Restoration of GST Returns data on Portal:

Please refer to the advisory issued on 24th September, 2024 regarding the archival of return data from the Common Portal after seven years. This data was archived in line with data archival policy. Data archival process was implemented on a monthly basis. Consequently, the return data for July, 2017 and August, 2017 was archived on 01st August and on 01st September respectively.

However, in view of the requests received from the trade due to the difficulties faced, data has been restored back on the portal. We recommend you to download and save the data if needed, as the archival policy shall be implemented again after giving advance information.

Disclaimer:

This publication contains information for general guidance only. It is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although the best of endeavour has been made to provide the provisions in a simpler and accurate form, there is no substitute to detailed research with regard to the specific situation of a particular individual or entity. We do not accept any responsibility for loss incurred by any person for acting or refraining to act as a result of any matter in this publication.

(Author is a well known Chartered Accountant practicing at Ahmedabad)