Page 47 - GSTL_18th June 2020_Vol 37_Part 3

2020 ] NEWS DESK J81
Now file ‘nil’ GST returns through SMS
The Government on 8-6-2020 rolled out SMS facility for taxpayers filing
‘nil’ monthly GST returns. This would improve ease of GST compliance for over
22 lakh registered taxpayers who had to otherwise log into their account on the
common portal and then file their returns every month. The SMS can be sent to
14409.
Businesses with no entry in all the tables in Form GSTR-3B can file return
through an SMS using the registered mobile number and the return will be veri-
fied by using a one-time password facility. Last month, the Central Board of In-
direct Taxes and Customs had introduced a new norm in Central GST rules stip-
ulating furnishing of nil return by SMS facility. There are over 1.2 crore business-
es registered under GST.
[Source : The Times of India, New Delhi, dated 9-6-2020]

Validity of E-way Bills extended
Validity of E-way Bills generated before March 24 but expired on or after
March 20 has been extended till June 30, C.B.I. & C. said on 10-6-2020. The exten-
sion meets demands from transporters and industry for easier movement of
goods. The earlier extension was granted till May 31.
C.B.I. & C. has also extended the time-limit for issuing orders in cases of
rejection of refund claims, in full or in part, by 15 days after receiving reply from
taxpayers, or latest by June 30. The extension is valid for tax officers on orders
that were to be issued between March 20 and June 29. C.B.I. & C. has also ex-
tended the date for transition under GST on account of merger of Union Territo-
ries of Daman and Diu & Dadar and Nagar Haveli to July 31.
[Source : The Economic Times, New Delhi, dated 11-6-2020]

No GST on salaries paid to Directors of companies
The C.B.I. & C. on 10-6-2020 said GST will not be levied on salaries paid
to Directors who are employees of the company.
[Source : The Indian Express, New Delhi, dated 11-6-2020]

Independent Directors’ fees to attract GST
The Government on 10-6-2020 sought to end the confusion over GST on
Company Directors, while also addressing concerns over held-up Input Tax
Credit refunds, an issue that was hurting industry amid tight cash flows. The
Finance Ministry clarified that employees, who are also on the board of compa-
nies, will not face GST if they were paid “salaries”, according to the company’s
books of account, on which tax was deducted and deposited with the Income Tax
Authorities.
“The part of employee Director’s remuneration, which is declared sepa-
rately other than “salaries” in the company’s accounts and subjected to TDS as
fees shall be treated as consideration for providing services, and is therefore, tax-
able,” it added. The GST wing drew upon the I-T Act to clarify that remuneration

GST LAW TIMES  18th June 2020  47