37th GST Council Meeting Brings Major Reliefs for Taxpayers
The 37th GST Council meeting that was chaired by the honorable Finance Minister of India Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has taken place in Goa. With numerous expectations from the taxpayers and traders having GST registration, there were several noteworthy aspects on the agenda.
Accordingly, the GST Council has taken significant decisions in the interest of taxpayers, including GST rate cuts and GST return filing system.
In the 36th GST council meeting, certain decisions proposed during the Union Budget 2019, such as GST rate-cuts on electric vehicles were implemented.
The key decisions that have been taken by the GST council in its 37th meeting in relation to-
#1. Annual GST return filing made optional
This is the most significant decision taken by the 37th GST Council meeting today. The compulsory annual GST return filing in Form GSTR-9 has now been waived off for those taxpayers having GST registration with turnover up to ₹ 2 crores.
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Annual GST Return filing in Form GSTR-9, GSTR-9A is now made Optional for those taxpayers having GST registration with turnover up to ₹ 2 crores, for FY 2017-18 as well as 2018-19.
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However, those taxpayers having GST registration with turnover above ₹ 2 crores to still file GSTR9.
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However, there is no relief in the case of GST Audit report in Form GSTR-9C. It’s applicable for taxpayers having GST registration with turnover exceeding ₹ 2 crores.
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Besides, the GSTR-9 return shall be simplified soon and later renamed “Saral” GST return.
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The decision to make Annual GST Return filing optional was much awaited, with several representations made by professionals.
#2. Reducing cess on automobiles
The next important decision of the 37th GST Council meeting is reducing compensation cess on automobiles.
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The GST Council has now reduced the GST compensation cess on the motor vehicles with a capacity of 10 to 13 people.
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Accordingly, all automobiles manufacturers and dealers have to charge the reduced cess on motor vehicles.
Know more about GST on automobiles.
#3. GST rate cuts on Hotel tariffs
Another noteworthy decision of the 37th GST Council meeting is the reduction of the GST rates on the Hotel tariffs. The current GST rate on hotel tariff upto ₹7500 and above was 28%. However, the new GST rate on hotel tariffs is as follows:
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₹7500 and above =18%
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Below ₹7500= 12%
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Up to ₹1000 = Nil
#4. New GST Return filing system
The New GST Return filing system shall be made effective for the Small Taxpayers having turnover upto ₹5 Crores from 1st April 2020 onwards, instead of 1st October 2019 as proposed earlier, wherein
- The GSTR-1 & 3B shall discontinue for small taxpayers having GST registration with upto ₹5 Crores.
- Such taxpayers shall be filing new GST returns GST ANX-1, RET-01 and PMT-08 with effect from 1st April 2020.
Know more about New GST Return filing system.
If you need any further assistance regarding GST registration, or the new GST return filing procedure, please feel free to contact our business advisor at 8881-069-069.
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