• Notification Date: 12-05-2023
• Notification No: N/A

GSTN Advises Taxpayers to Plan Filing and Invoice Uploading Timely

GST Network has advised taxpayers to plan return filing and invoice uploading better and avoid the last-minute rush, which results in the clogging of GST systems. 

It said that 20.05 lakh GSTR-3B returns were filed on April 20 — the last day for filing tax returns for sales in March, resulting in a waiting queue on the GST system and causing inconvenience to some of the taxpayers. 

Around 45 per cent of the returns filed on April 20 were either NIL returns (no tax liability and no ITC availment) or were such returns where no tax was paid in cash. 

It also highlighted that some taxpayers are uploading many invoices (up to 27 lakhs) of the past period in one GSTR-1 on the due date of filing. 

“Taxpayers are advised to inculcate a month-wise return filing discipline for all the B2B invoices for the month and avoid reporting invoices of the past period in one go, as such behaviour can adversely impact the queue (waiting time) on the GST system," GSTN said in an advisory to taxpayers. 

Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) manages the technology backend of the indirect tax regime, which was launched on July 1, 2017. Currently, there are over 1.39 crore taxpayers registered under GST. 

GSTN said it has upgraded its infrastructure over a period. However, it has observed that some taxpayers faced difficulty in filing GSTR-3B for March on April 20, 2023. 

“On analysing the reasons, it was noted that a large number of taxpayers attempted to file GSTR-3B returns in the afternoon of the last day," it said. 

GSTN further said that taxpayers with ‘Nil’ returns can file them earlier and not wait for the last day to file GSTR-3B. 

It also suggested that taxpayers may use the SMS filing option to file NIL returns as it would be quicker and a more convenient way to file NIL returns and will also help to reduce the queue on the GST system. 

“It can thus be seen that with better planning of return filing, the difficulty faced by the taxpayers due to last minute rush can be avoided and it would be of help to fellow taxpayers as well… Taxpayers are therefore advised to file their Form GSTR- 3B well in advance to avoid last day rush," it said. 

Income Tax Discovers Rs 15.3 crore Cash, 10.14 Kg Gold worth Rs 7.08 crore in Poll-bound Karnataka 

The Income Tax department has seized cash of Rs 15.3 crore and 10.14 kg gold worth Rs 7.08 crore during raids at various places in Karnataka, which goes to polls on May 10, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said on Saturday. 

According to a statement issued by the CEO’s office, Rs 4.77 crore was seized from Shivajinagar, Rs 3.44 crore from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Rs 3.35 crore from Malleshwaram, Rs 2.3 crore from Pulakeshinagar, Rs 63 lakh from Shanti Nagar, and Rs 55 lakh from Gandhi Nagar. 

The I-T officials seized 6.59 kg of gold worth Rs five crore from Hebbal, Shanti Nagar and Gandhi Nagar constituencies. 

Further, 3.55 kg gold worth Rs 2.08 crore and Rs 30 lakh cash were seized from Raichur. 

Cumulatively, the seizures totalled Rs 365 crore ever since the model code of conduct came into force on March 29, which comprised of Rs 138.55 crore cash, Rs 82.65 crore worth liquor, Rs 23 crore worth drugs and narcotics, 177.95 kg gold worth Rs 92.62 crore and 667 kg silver worth Rs 4.62 crore, the statement added.