By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 21, 2019: IT was her first meeting at the GST Council and the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has done well by generating consensus for a host of decisions. No decision on reduction of tax rates was taken as the rates were discussed without taking into confidence the Fitment Committee. That is the reason the Council has referred all the tax rates issues to the Fitment Committee such as e-vehicle etc.

Since Aadhaar has been the Prime Minister's favourite identification tool, the Council has given its approval for making it mandatory for GST registration. The Council also granted in-principle approval for the e-invoicing system. The details are to be worked out by the Committee of Officers. Similarly, the new return formats have also got the Council's nod for a smooth roll-out in the coming months. Under Rule 138E, a further two month extension has been granted in case of e-Way Bill.

More importantly, granting a relief to the taxpayers as well as their consultants, the Council has approved the extension of due dates for GSTR-9 and 9C upto August 30, 2019. For those who have less than Rs two crore turnover, the due date would be September 30, 2019. The Council also granted approval for State and Area branches of the GSTAT. For the NAPA which is going to 'die' on June 30, 2019, a fresh lease of two years life was granted. And, in case, the order is not complied with within 30 days, a penalty of 10% is to be imposed on the taxpayers.