Goods and Services Tax

Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The High Court held that the respondents' conclusion of the petitioner's principal place of business being non-existent at the time of physical verification was ex facie erroneous. The conclusion was based solely on purported enquiries from nearby shop owners, without mentioning their names or details in the Field Report. Cancelling a taxpayer's registration solely on the basis of general queries from random persons, without any record, is difficult to countenance. The petitioner's premises were found to exist, with a signboard bearing the GSTIN, and a photograph in the Field Report established possession at the material time. The petitioner contended that the shop was closed and reopened a few days before inspection due to suspension of GST registration. The Court directed the petitioner to file a response to the impugned Show Cause Notice with documents establishing the existence of the principal place of business since registration. The proper officer shall consider the reply and take an informed decision. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – In light of the amended Rules 108 and 109 of the GST Rules effective from 26th December 2022, the High Court held that when an appealed order is issued or uploaded on the common portal and can be viewed by the appellate authority, submitting a certified copy of such uploaded order for authenticity becomes insignificant. Therefore, the appellate authority could not have rejected the appeal on the technical ground of non-supply of a certified copy, particularly when the statute does not mandate it. Consequently, the impugned order dated 28th February 2023 passed by the respondent rejecting the appeal was quashed and set aside, and the matter was remanded to the appellate authority to pass a fresh de novo order on merits after providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Rejection of refund of IGST lying in electronic cash register on grounds of non-compliance with Section 49(6) of CGST Act, 2017 was held untenable. The appellate authority's order directing refund issuance cannot be withheld by respondents without challenging it in higher forum. Respondents directed to process refund claim per appellate order along with applicable interest in accordance with law. Petition allowed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The High Court held that Circular No. 135/15/2020-GST, which dealt with the refund of Input Tax Credit (ITC) accumulated due to the Inverted Tax Structure, was in conflict with Section 54(3)(ii) of the Act. The Appellate Authority had allowed the appeal solely relying on this Circular, which did not withstand judicial scrutiny. Consequently, the impugned order was set aside, and the matter was remitted back to the Appellate Authority to decide the appeal afresh in accordance with the law. The petition was allowed by way of remand. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The petitioner failed to challenge the matter within statutory provisions and raised the constitutional validity of Section 29(2) under CGST and BGST Acts. The court found the decision in Rohit Enterprises persuasive but not binding. While the facts differed, the hardship was similar to a previous case where the constitutional guarantee to carry out trade and commerce was upheld. No valid ground was raised against the delay in filing an appeal, as Section 30 allows revocation of cancellation within 30 days. The court found no reason to exercise discretionary power or entertain the writ petition testing Section 29(2)'s constitutional validity, as the orders were within statutory boundaries. Consequently, the writ petition was dismissed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The review petition filed u/s 114 read with Order XLVII Rule 1 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 was dismissed as the petitioner failed to establish any mistake or error apparent on the face of the record. The impugned order was passed in the presence of the learned counsels without objection, and being an appealable order, the High Court did not find any grounds for review. The review petition lacked merit and was consequently dismissed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The applicant sought clarification on the applicability of GST rate under notification No. 1/2017-Central Tax (Rate) for imported goods/spares supplied on ships. The applicant claimed these goods are essential parts of the ship to make it seaworthy. However, the HSN explanatory notes of Chapter 89, under which the applicant wants the goods classified after import, exclude separately presented parts and accessories of vessels from this chapter. They are classified under appropriate headings elsewhere in the nomenclature. The CESTAT order cited by the applicant pertained to a different issue and is not tenable in the present dispute. The classification of the goods when supplied by the applicant after importation would remain the same as mentioned in the bill of entry filed before Customs, under the same chapter, heading, sub-heading, and tariff item on which IGST was discharged during import. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Violation of principles of natural justice due to absence of appellant's counsel during proceedings. High Court noted counsel's absence on certain dates, but matter reserved on 29.04.2024 without hearing. Unexpectedly relisted on 18.07.2024 without counsel's presence. Impugned order cancelling bail passed on 25.07.2024 without hearing appellant's counsel who had obtained bail from trial court. Impugned order set aside, matter remanded to High Court to reconsider respondent's application for cancellation of bail after hearing both sides. Appellant to ensure counsel's presence, avoid delay. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The court held that Section 6(2)(b) of the Act treats the empowered officers under the SGST/UGST Act at the central level to be at par and does not prescribe for transfer of investigation from State authority to Central authority or vice-versa. The object of Section 6(2)(b) is to avoid multiple proceedings on the same subject matter. Once the State authority initiates action, it would be the proper officer to conduct further proceedings. The Central Tax Officer cannot initiate proceedings if the State Tax Officer has already commenced proceedings. The word “subject-matter” means the nature of proceedings. If one authority has initiated proceedings, the other cannot initiate proceedings for the same subject matter. Allowing such action would violate Section 6(2)(b). The court quashed the Blocked Credit Ledger and summons issued by the Central authority as the State authority had already initiated proceedings. The petition was allowed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Original order confirming GST demand was passed without opportunity of hearing. Appeal dismissed on limitation ground. Notification dated 02.11.2023 allows condonation of delay for appeals filed before 31.01.2024 against orders passed before 31.03.2023 u/ss 73/74 of GST Act. Impugned order passed on 20.07.2023, after 31.03.2023 cutoff date, hence notification inapplicable. Cited judgement deals with non-condonation of delay beyond statutory limitation period. Delay in filing appeal cannot be condoned beyond prescribed limitation under the Act. Petitions dismissed for lack of merit. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The imposition of a time limit for availing Input Tax Credit (ITC) is violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 300A of the Constitution of India. The insertion of sub-section (5) u/s 16 of the CGST Act, effective from July 1, 2017, provided that for invoices or debit notes pertaining to Financial Years 2017-18 to 2020-21, the registered person could take ITC in any return filed until November 30, 2021. However, this decision was taken without considering the stipulation in sub-section (5) of Section 16, effective from July 1, 2017. Consequently, the High Court remitted the matter to the authority to pass a fresh order considering the implication of sub-section (5) of Section 16 of the CGST Act. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – In the present case involving economic offenses related to GST fraud, the court denied bail to the applicants. The applicants were found to be connected with Sanjay Dhingra in transactions involving fake GST firms registered using stolen PAN and Aadhaar details. The money trail and financial transactions revealed unexplained huge amounts being deposited into the applicants' accounts, indicating their involvement in illegal activities. The court noted that such fraudsters set up companies only on paper to generate fake transactions and claim Input Tax Credit, abandoning them later. Economic offenses like large-scale fraud, money laundering, and corruption are viewed seriously as they affect the economic fabric of society. The court considered factors like the nature of accusations, evidence, severity of punishment, character of the accused, possibility of securing presence at trial, apprehension of witness tampering, and public interest. Precedents are not the sole basis for granting or refusing bail, and each case is considered on its specific facts and circumstances. Based on the evidence and submissions, the court found it not a fit case for granting bail and dismissed the application. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Writ petition concerning levy of penalty u/s 129 of CGST Act for alleged tax evasion and undervaluation during detention of goods. Court permitted petitioners to pay tax and penalty calculated on market value determined by authorities within one week. Upon receipt of payment, authorities directed to release detained vehicle and goods within seven days thereafter. Writ petition partly allowed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The petitioner's GST registration was cancelled retrospectively without indicating specific reasons, violating principles of natural justice. While the authority can cancel registration retrospectively u/s 29(2) of the CGST/DGST Act, the decision cannot be arbitrary. The show cause notice did not propose retrospective cancellation. The impugned order lacked reasoning for retrospective cancellation. Therefore, the order was modified to make cancellation operative from the show cause notice date instead of retrospectively. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Search and seizure operations conducted by respondent No. 3 on petitioner-Company's sister entity premises, seizing material like sales registers, accounts books, and data. Petitioner unable to file detailed reply to Show Cause Notice due to seized documents. Court accepted petitioner's explanation, set aside impugned orders, and remanded matter to respondent No. 2 for reconsideration of reply stage, directing respondent No. 3 to provide seized documents' copies to petitioner-Company. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Appellate Authority's orders regarding refund of accumulated input tax credit with interest and determination of petitioner's status as an 'intermediary' u/s 2(13) of IGST Act set aside. Matters remanded for reconsideration by Appellate Authority to provide opportunity to both parties to present claims and contentions afresh within stipulated timeframe, as earlier orders failed to address factual and legal submissions correctly. Petition allowed for remand. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – This case pertains to the refund of penal amounts or taxes paid for goods seized due to lack of proper documentation during transit. The court held that the movement of goods accompanied by e-way bills, tax invoices, or delivery challans from the originating state shall be treated as bona fide and not attract any penalty or tax under the GST regime. The court agreed with the precedent set by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Kaveri Enterprises v. State of Andhra Pradesh, which had considered similar contentions. The petition was disposed of, subject to the fulfillment of specified conditions. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Non-consideration of reply given pursuant to GST DRC-01A notice violates principles of natural justice. Rule 142(1A) merely allows proper officer discretion to issue communication, not adjudicate submissions. Right of assessee arises only after show cause notice u/r 142(1)(a) with hearing opportunity. Affording hearing at different stages not contemplated by legislature. Taxing statutes strictly construed without implying equity or hardship considerations. Since only communication issued, no grounds to entertain writ petition filed to stall pending proceedings. Writ petition dismissed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Appeal dismissed on ground of limitation despite explanation for delay, petitioner made partial pre-deposit, no lack of bona fide evident, filing belated appeal not advantageous to petitioner, Appellate Authority's order set aside by HC, petition disposed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Section 161 allows an affected person to apply for rectification of an order. The authority had previously passed an order and decided no rectification was necessary, which the assessee felt adversely affected them. The High Court set aside that order, directing the authority to deal with the rectification application in accordance with law. The rectification process is separate from an appeal against the assessment order on merits, as provided for by the statute. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Cancellation of registration order quashed due to non-application of mind, absence of reasons, and violation of principles of natural justice. Court followed precedent where non-reasoned order was set aside, allowing petitioner to file reply to show cause notice. Impugned orders liable to be set aside, original order dated February 22, 2023 quashed and set aside, petition allowed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The petitioner challenged the assessment order solely on the ground of not availing the statutory remedy of appeal. The court held that the petitioner did not file an appeal and allowed the assessment order to become final, subsequently approaching the court through a writ petition to challenge the tax, interest, and penalty determination. The petitioner was given an opportunity for a hearing, and the impugned order was passed thereafter. No plausible explanation was provided for not resorting to the statutory appeal remedy. The petitioner consciously chose not to file an appeal u/s 107 of the RGST/CGST Act, 2017, allowing the limitation period and the maximum condonable delay period to expire. Having not preferred an appeal, the writ petition was dismissed as not maintainable. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Nonwoven coated fabrics laminated or impregnated with PVC cannot be classified under HSN 56031400 or Chapter 50. As the major constituent is PVC sheet (120 GSM out of 240 GSM), the goods would be classified under Chapter 39, based on the material or component that gives the essential character, as per the Explanatory Notes. A conjoint reading of manufacturing process, Section Notes, Chapter Notes leads to this conclusion that the product falls under Chapter 39 and not under Chapter 56 or 50. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – The High Court dismissed the petition, holding that it would not be appropriate to interfere in the matter during the pendency of the appeal before the appellate authority. The petitioner was granted the liberty to raise all submissions before the appellate authority, which would undoubtedly consider and pass appropriate orders. The Division Bench had protected the petitioner from recovery proceedings on the ground that the entire IGST amount had already been paid. According to Section 77 of the GST Act, if a registered person has paid Central or State Tax and is subsequently held liable for Inter-State GST, the wrongly deposited amount would be refunded, allowing payment as per the authorities' determination. This aspect can be duly verified by the first appellate authority. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Petitioner challenged assessment order u/s 74 of GST enactments. Father had filed nil returns for outward supply in 2017-18. Show cause notice treated total purchase value as suppressed sales. Impugned order assumed processed turmeric must be sold within 18 months, deeming sale in February 2019 to compute tax liability. No discernible basis for such assumptions in impugned order. Impugned order set aside, matter remanded for reconsideration. Petitioner permitted to place additional documents within four weeks. Petition disposed of. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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