Dear All,

The GST Council held its 38th meeting in New Delhi on 18th December, 2019. In the meeting, GST Council has broadly taken the following decisions –

1. Recommendation on law and procedural related changes

1. Input tax credit to the recipient in respect of invoices or debit notes that are not reflected in his FORM GSTR-2A shall be restricted to 10 per cent of the eligible credit available in respect of invoices or debit notes reflected in his FORM GSTR-2A.

2. Due date for filing of Annual Return in FORM GSTR-9 and reconciliation statement in FORM GSTR-9C for FY 2017-18 to be extended to 31^st day of January, 2020.

3. Following measures would be taken to improve filing of FORM GSTR-1:

2020. waiver of late fee to be given to all taxpayers in respect of all pending FORM GSTR-1 from July, 2017 to November, 2019 if the same are filed by10^th day of January, 2020.

1. E-way Bill for taxpayers who have not filed their FORM GSTR-1 for two tax periods shall be blocked.

4. Due date of filing GST returns for the month of November, 2019 to be extended in respect of a few North Eastern States.

5. To check the menace of fake invoices, suitable action to be taken for blocking of fraudulently availed input tax credit in certain situations.

6. A Standard Operating Procedure for tax officers would be issued in respect of action to be taken in cases of non-filing of FORM GSTR 3B returns.

7. Grievance Redressal Committees (GRC) will be constituted at Zonal/State level with both CGST and SGST officers and including representatives of trade and industry and other GST stakeholders (GST practitioners and GSTN etc.). These committees will address grievances of specific/ general nature of taxpayers at the Zonal/ State level.

8. The Council also approved various law amendments which will be introduced in Budget 2020.

1. Recommendation on GST Rate related changes

1. To exempt upfront amount payable for long term lease of industrial/ financial infrastructure plots by an entity having 20% or more ownership of Central or State Government. Presently, the exemption is available to an entity having 50% or more ownership of Central or State Government. This change shall become effective from 1^st day of January, 2020.

2. To levy a single rate of GST @ 28% on both State run and State authorized lottery. This change shall become effective from 1^st day of March , 2020.

3. The Council also considered the GST rate on Woven and Non-Woven Bags and sacks of polyethylene or polypropylene strips or the like , whether or not laminated, of a kind used for packing of goods ( HS code 3923/6305) and recommended to raise the GST to a uniform rate of 18% (from 12%) on all such bags falling under HS 3923/6305 including Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC). This change shall become effective from 1^st day of January, 2020.

Source: Press Information Bureau

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