35th GST Council Meeting Key Highlights

35th GST Council Meeting Overview

35th GST Council Meeting took place in New Delhi on 21st June 2019 under the supervision of 2nd Woman Union Finance Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman of the re-elected government. Before a month of 35th GST Council meeting, various anticipation was made regarding the different indirect taxes issues such as GSTR-9 filing issues. So considering all these problems, various important decision are taken in this 35th GST Council Meeting. Let us now proceed to the 35th GST Council meeting key highlights.

Key Highlights of 35th GST Council Meeting

Following decisions were taken in this 35th GST Council Meeting

1.  Annual GST Return due date extended

GSTR-9, GSTR-9B and GSTR-9C due date have been extended from 30th June 2019 to 31 August 2019 for the financial year 2019. The taxpayer will get this notification in the coming weeks.

2. Introduction of AADHAAR Based GST Registration

The new system of GST Registration using AADHAAR Number has also been proposed in this 35TH GST Council Meeting. This decision was taken to ease the process of GST Registration and also to promote the paperless mission. According to this proposed system, the taxpayer’s has to link their AADHAAR number with the GST Identification Number (GSTIN).

3. National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) tenure extended for next 2 years.

National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) tenure has been extended from 30 June 2019 to the Year 2021 to solve all pending GST related cases. Therefore, there is an indication that the GST Council is planning to further rationalize the GST Rates as NAA can take up new cases relating to GST Rate cut issues. 

4. E-invoicing under GST may start from January 2020

Earlier, the government has allotted 50 Crore INR limit for e-invoicing under GST. So, taking this step further, now GST Council has given principal approval to the e-invoicing under GST to start from 1st January 2020. Moreover, this new invoicing system will be implemented phase-wise and will on be applicable in the case of B2B invoicing. Further, as per this system, no e-Way bill will be needed and these e-invoices can also be used at the time of furnishing GST Return.

5. The penalty of 10% for any delay in depositing profiteered amount

In the 35th GST Council meeting, the members have decided and approved a 10% penalty if the taxpayer fails to deposit profiteered amount within 30 days. This decision was taken by the GST Council to encourage the taxpayer to timely follow all the GST compliances.

6. Mandatory e-ticketing for multiplexes

The GST Council also took another major decision by making e-ticketing mandatory for multiplexes having multi-screens. This decision is taken to bring the screeching halt on the tax evasion and to restrain the use of black tickets.

7. Electronic Vehicle (EV), chargers & leasing rate cuts deferred

The rate cut on EVs, chargers and leasing has been postponed to the next GST Council meeting. This decision is taken to analyze the feasibility of the rate cut and henceforth, this matter has been handed over to the fitment committee. It shall be noted that the current GST rate on EVs and chargers are 12% and 28% respectively.

8.  The matter related to the rate Slash on lottery referred to the Attorney General

The GST Council brought cases on lottery rate cut into light stating that they are pending before the high court and Supreme Court.  Also stated that the court has referred these cases back to the GST council, so considering this the council members have proposed to consult the Attorney General of India.

9. Other extended due dates

10. E-way bill generation will be blocked for non-filing of GST Returns

There is a provision in the GST Act according to which the taxpayer will not be able to generate the e-way bill in case if he has not furnished GSTR-3B/GSTR-4 for 2 consecutive tax periods. The date of its application has been extended to 21st August 2019 that was 21st June 2019 earlier.