Goods and Services Tax

Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Impugned assessment order set aside due to violation of principles of natural justice. Petitioner not provided opportunity for personal hearing regarding mismatch of tax liability filed for financial year 2017-2018. Show cause notice uploaded on GST Portal without furnishing original to petitioner. Order passed without allowing petitioner to establish case, violating natural justice. Matter remanded to respondent for fresh consideration regarding disputed assessment period. Since 20% of disputed tax liability paid, no further condition imposed. Petition disposed 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 – Inadvertent error committed by taxpayer in filing GSTR-3B return led to issuance of Form GST DRC-01A. However, upon examination, it was observed that detailed show cause notice and order were not available or uploaded on the portal. Consequently, the impugned order could not be sustained. The High Court set aside the order, allowing the respondent to initiate proceedings in accordance with law. The petition was 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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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Writ petition disposed of directing respondents to process petitioner's application for GST registration within two weeks without insisting on No Objection Certificate. Petitioner had dispute with brother-in-law and mother-in-law after husband's death, leading to inability to carry on business due to expiry of old GST registration in absence of co-operation. Court found no impediment in allowing petition and directing processing of fresh application submitted on specified date. – 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 – Judicial review of an assessment order was conducted due to discrepancies between GSTR 1 and GSTR 3B returns. The petitioner's replies were not considered, violating natural justice principles. The High Court held the order unsustainable as the petitioner's replies were not taken into account while recording conclusions. Consequently, the impugned order was set aside, and the matter remanded for reconsideration. The respondent was directed to provide a reasonable opportunity, including a personal hearing, to the petitioner and issue a fresh order after considering the petitioner's replies and annexed documents. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Circulars – GST – Highlights – This circular clarifies the regularization of refund of IGST availed in contravention of rule 96(10) of CGST Rules, 2017, where exporters had imported inputs without paying integrated taxes and compensation cess. It states that if exporters initially imported inputs without paying IGST and cess by availing exemption notifications, but later paid the dues along with interest and got the Bill of Entry reassessed, the IGST paid on exports shall not be considered in contravention of rule 96(10). The Explanation inserted in rule 96(10) retrospectively deems the exemption notification benefits as not availed if IGST and cess were paid on imported inputs. Therefore, refund of IGST on exports in such cases can be regularized. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Circulars – GST – Highlights – The circular clarifies the place of supply for data hosting services provided by Indian service providers to overseas cloud computing service providers. It addresses three issues: whether the data hosting service provider qualifies as an intermediary, whether the services relate to goods made available by the recipient, and whether they directly relate to immovable property. The key points are: 1) Data hosting service providers do not qualify as intermediaries facilitating supply between cloud providers and end-users, as they provide services on a principal-to-principal basis. Hence, place of supply cannot be determined u/s 13(8)(b) of IGST Act. 2) Data hosting services cannot be considered provided in relation to goods made available by cloud providers, as the service providers own/lease premises, hardware, software, and handle operations independently. Therefore, Section 13(3)(a) is not applicable. 3) Data hosting services are not directly related to immovable property but involve comprehensive services like operating data centers, ensuring power supply, connectivity, backup, monitoring, etc. Hence, Section 13(4) cannot be invoked. 4) As the services do not fit specific provisions, the default Section 13(2) applies, determining the place of supply as the location of the recipient. Services provided to overseas cloud providers will be considered exports u/s 2(6) of IGST Act, subject to conditions. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Circulars – GST – Highlights – This circular clarifies the availability of input tax credit (ITC) on demo vehicles used by authorized dealers of motor vehicles. Key points are: ITC is available on demo vehicles used for demonstrating features to potential buyers as they promote further supply of such vehicles. However, ITC is blocked if demo vehicles are used for staff transportation. For dealers acting as agents providing marketing services, ITC is blocked as they are not making further supply. Capitalization of demo vehicles doesn't impact ITC eligibility, but depreciation claimed under Income Tax Act will block ITC. On subsequent sale of capitalized demo vehicle, reversal provisions apply. The circular aims to ensure uniform implementation across field formations. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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Circulars – GST – Highlights – This circular clarifies the determination of place of supply and export benefits for advertising services provided by Indian advertising agencies to foreign clients. Key points are: advertising agencies providing comprehensive advertising solutions, including media planning, content creation, and procurement of media space, are not considered intermediaries under IGST Act. The foreign client is the recipient, not their Indian representative or target audience. These services do not qualify as performance-based under IGST Act section 13(3). The place of supply is the location of the foreign recipient u/s 13(2), making it an export of services. However, if the agency merely facilitates media space procurement between the foreign client and media owner, acting as an intermediary, the place of supply is the agency's location u/s 13(8)(b). The circular provides clarity on export benefits eligibility for such advertising services to foreign clients. – 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 – Provisional attachment order u/s 83 of the Act expires after one year. The department cannot issue a second notice for provisional attachment without providing fresh reasons. The Supreme Court held that a second attachment may be made, but the department must justify it with new grounds. Allowing repeated attachments without fresh reasons would render Section 83(2) redundant. Provisional attachment is a drastic measure taken before assessing liability, akin to preventive detention in criminal cases. The department must provide specific reasons, failing which the attachment would be illegal and arbitrary. The provisional attachment order dated May 16, 2024 is quashed, and the bank is directed to remove the attachment and allow the petitioner access to the account. – 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 quashed a letter dated March 13, 2024, issued by the Superintendent (A.E.) Central Goods and Service Tax, Gautam Budh Nagar, advising voluntary tax payments without proper legal basis. The Court observed that the Department was advising the petitioner to make voluntary payments without issuing any show cause notice/demand notice/recovery notice, which is unknown in law. The respondents failed to indicate any provision under which such a letter could be issued. The Court directed the authorities to be cautious and refrain from issuing such letters tantamounting to pressure tactics, allowing the petition. – 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 GST Authorities cannot launch prosecution invoking penal provisions under the Indian Penal Code without invoking penal provisions of the GST Act, when the alleged offenses are covered under the GST Act provisions. This is especially true without obtaining sanction u/s 132(6) of the GST Act. The GST Act is a special legislation comprehensively dealing with GST-related procedures, penalties, and offenses. Allowing GST Authorities to bypass the prescribed procedure under the GST Act by simply invoking IPC provisions, without invoking GST Act penal provisions, especially when allegations constitute offenses covered under the GST Act, would amount to circumventing procedural safeguards like obtaining the Commissioner's sanction before initiating prosecution u/s 132(6). Such a course of action would be an abuse of the legal process, which cannot be permitted. Consequently, the prosecution launched without following the due process under the GST Act is hit by the legal bar and warrants quashment. – 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 by not granting opportunity of personal hearing before issuing adjudication order demanding excess availment of Input Tax Credit and short payment of output GST, despite adverse decision being contemplated against petitioners. Section 75(4) of GST Act mandates granting opportunity of hearing in such cases, irrespective of whether specifically requested or not. Impugned proceedings after reply to show cause notice set aside as decision-making process vitiated and contrary to statutory requirement of providing personal hearing. – 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 and summary in Form DRC-07 for wrongfully claiming Input Tax Credit (ITC) on the purchase of four motor cars, which was ineligible u/s 17(5) of the CGST/TNGST Act, 2017. The petitioner was unaware of the notices due to the introduction of a new “View Additional Notices and Orders” feature on the GST portal, which was not adequately communicated, resulting in a violation of principles of natural justice. The petitioner had purchased four motor cars for passenger service and mistakenly claimed ITC on these purchases, which was not permissible as the vehicles were intended for personal use. The petitioner voluntarily reversed the wrongly availed ITC in their March 2023 return before the financial year's end. However, the respondent passed the assessment order after issuing pre-show cause notice and show cause notice. The High Court set aside the order and remanded the matter to the respondent for fresh consideration, providing the petitioner an opportunity to substantiate their claim. – 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 appeal against cancellation of GST registration was filed beyond the condonation period prescribed u/s 107(4) of the GST Act. The petitioner had not filed GSTR returns for over six months. In an identical batch of matters, the Madras High Court allowed writ petitions subject to fulfilling certain conditions. Following this precedent, the Court allowed the present writ petition on conditions agreed upon by the petitioner's counsel and not objected to by the respondents' counsel. – 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 denial of a GST claim for differential tax liability arising from increased prices of materials and wages. The respondent, BUIDCo, expressed no objection to remanding the matter to the concerned authority for fresh consideration. Consequently, the High Court set aside the impugned order dated 16.11.2019 and remanded the matter to the Chief General Manager of BUIDCo (Respondent No. 3) to consider the representation dated 27.06.2019 (Annexure P5) and pass necessary orders strictly in accordance with the law. The petition was disposed of 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 High Court granted relief to the petitioner by directing the release of attachment over immovable properties due to discrepancies between GSTR 3B returns and auto-populated GSTR 2A. Despite making the requisite 10% pre-deposit of the disputed tax demand, the attachment was effected contrary to statutory provisions. The court held that once the pre-deposit is made u/s 107(7), recovery proceedings for the balance amount shall be deemed stayed. Consequently, the attachment of the petitioner's immovable properties was found unsustainable and ordered to be released. – 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 – Challenge to show cause notice u/s 74 of Central/Gujarat Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 regarding classification of product manufactured by petitioner under HSN 19059040 instead of HSN 19059030 and consequent levy of GST. Court held that in view of minutes of GST Council meeting and circular dated 1st August, 2023, issue was to be regularized on 'as is where is' basis up to 22.07.2023, meaning petitioners' claim of exemption under HSN 19059040 and payment of nil GST to continue as filed. Respondents misinterpreted 'as is' basis by issuing impugned notices levying 18% GST under HSN 19059030, ignoring binding advance ruling. When petitioners claimed exemption under HSN 19059040 and paid nil GST, same was required to be regularized 'as is' as per GST Council and Board's notification coupled with binding advance ruling. Impugned show cause notices quashed, respondents directed to regularize past returns filed by petitioners on 'as is' basis accepting nil rate of GST up to 22.07.2023. 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 – Seizure order for detention of goods due to absence of State E-way Bill was challenged. The Court held that at the time of interception, the Central E-way Bill under GST Act was available, and only the E-way Bill under UP GST Act was not present, which was later produced before passing the penalty order. The issue was covered by previous Division Bench judgments, which held that from 1.2.2018 to 31.3.2018, the requirement of E-way Bill under UP GST Act was not enforceable. Since the goods were detained and seized on 23.3.2018 solely for the absence of the E-way Bill under UP GST Act, and the Central E-way Bill was accompanying the goods, the detention order, seizure order, and penalty were unjustified. Consequently, the impugned orders dated 24.3.2018 and 1.10.2020 were quashed by the High Court, and 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 – The court held that the petitioner was denied the principles of natural justice by not being given a reasonable opportunity to contest the tax demand on merits regarding the difference between GSTR 3B and GSTR 1, and the RCM liability mismatch. The petitioner provided proof of payment for the GSTR 3B and GSTR 1 difference, and substantiated the RCM liability mismatch as an inadvertent error through GSTR 3B returns, securing the revenue interest. The impugned order relating to RCM liability mismatch was set aside, and the matter was remanded for reconsideration by the respondent authority. The petitioner was directed to submit a reply to the show cause notice within 15 days. The petition was 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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Case-Laws – GST – Highlights – Principles of natural justice violated due to lack of proper communication regarding show cause notice and order, leading to tax demand confirmation without petitioner's response. Court set aside the order and remanded matter for reconsideration, subject to petitioner remitting 10% of disputed tax demand within two weeks, acknowledging procedural lapse despite imposing condition. Petition disposed through remand for fresh consideration after partial compliance. – 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 – Principles of natural justice violated due to lack of reasonable opportunity to contest tax demand. Petitioner cited ongoing tax audit and father's illness for seeking adjournment, but failed to submit substantive reply from September 2023 to February 2024 despite sufficient time. Considering health records submitted, petitioner granted opportunity to contest demand by remitting 10% of disputed tax within three weeks. Matter remanded for reconsideration after compliance. – 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, considering the precedent set in the case of Rehoboth Fish Meal and Oil Plant, held that the petitioner should be granted a stay on recovery proceedings pending further orders from the Supreme Court. The petitioner was directed to file a statutory appeal before the Appellate Authority/Commissioner of GST & Central Excise (Appeals) within 30 days. Additionally, the petitioner was required to pre-deposit 10% of the disputed tax, excluding the tax on 'Fish Meal', in accordance with Section 107 of the respective GST enactments, within the same 30-day period. The writ petition was disposed of with these directions. – 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 directed the respondents to refund the differential GST amount, being the difference between GST and VAT, paid by the petitioner for each works contract/composite supply executed before July 1, 2017. The Court held that payments received by the petitioners pre-GST for works executed before July 1, 2017, are assessable under the KVAT tax regime, either under the Composition Tax or VAT scheme as applicable. The respondents were ordered to reimburse the GST amount within six weeks from the date of receipt of the order. 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 – The High Court held that the demand for tax on the service aspect of a composite supply involving import of goods and related services like transportation and insurance is in violation of Section 2(30) read with Section 8 of the CGST Act, following the Supreme Court's decision in Union of India Vs. M/s.Mohit Minerals Pvt. Ltd. Consequently, the demand confirmed in paragraphs 15(g) and 15(h) of the impugned order was dropped. However, the demand arising from the mismatch between Input Tax Credit availed and tax paid by the supplier, and the demand for tax on renewal charges for the Factory License, can be adjudicated by the petitioner before the Appellate Commissioner. The petitioner was granted liberty to file a statutory appeal before the Commissioner of GST & Central Excise (Appeals) regarding the remaining demands confirmed in the impugned order. The writ petition was 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 – Wrongful availment and passing on of input tax credit, wrongful availment of IGST refund under Advance Authorisation scheme. Constitutional validity of Notification No. 09/2023-Central Tax dated 31.03.2023 questioned, whether ultra-vires the CGST Act provisions. Held that the challenged order is dated 21.02.2024, and the challenge is on merits. Appeal lies before the Appellate Authority u/s 107 of the CGST Act to examine questions of fact and law. The petition regarding the impugned orders is not entertained. Regarding initiation of proceedings u/s 74 instead of Section 73 of the CGST Act, the Appellate Authority can examine the questions of law while examining the facts. The challenge to the notification dated 31.03.2023 does not arise as no notice was issued u/s 73 of the CGST Act. The present petition is misconceived and dismissed. – TMI Updates – Highlights, quick notes, marquee, annotation, news, alerts Tax Management India – taxmanagementindia – taxmanagement – taxmanagementindia.com – TMI – TaxTMI – TMITax

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