Page 63 - GSTL_2nd July 2020 _Vol 38_Part 1

Measures announced by the Government for providing
relief to the taxpayers in view of spread of Novel
Corona Virus (COVID-19) — Clarification
Subject : Clarification in respect of various measures announced by the
Government for providing relief to the taxpayers in view of spread of
Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) - Regarding.
Circular No. 136/06/2020-GST, dated 3-4-2020 [2020 (35) G.S.T.L. C15]
was issued by the Board on the subject issue clarifying various issues relating to
the measures announced by the Government providing relief to the taxpayers.
The GST Council, in its 40th meeting held on 12-6-2020, recommended further
relief to the taxpayers and accordingly, following notifications have been issued :

S. Notification No. Remarks
No.
1. Notification No. Seeks to provide relief to taxpayers by reducing
51/2020-Central Tax, the rate of interest from 18% per annum to 9% per
dated 24-6-2020. annum for specified period.
2. Notification No. Seeks to provide relief to taxpayers by conditional
52/2020-Central Tax, waiver of late fee for delay in furnishing FORM
dated 24-6-2020. GSTR-3B for specified period.
3. Notification No. Seeks to provide relief to taxpayers by conditional
53/2020-Central Tax, waiver of late fee for delay in furnishing FORM
dated 24-6-2020. GSTR-1 for specified period.

2. The above referred notifications have amended the parent
notifications through which the relief from interest for late payment of GST and
late fee for delay in furnishing of FORM GSTR-3B/FORM GSTR-1 was
provided for the tax periods of February, March and April, 2020. Accordingly,
the clarifications issued vide Circular No. 136/06/2020-GST, dated 3-4-2020
stand modified to the extent as detailed in the succeeding paragraphs to
incorporate the decisions of the 40th meeting of the GST Council. In order to
ensure uniformity in the implementation of the provisions of the law across the
field formations, the Board, in exercise of its powers conferred under section
168(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as
the “CGST Act”) clarifies the issues detailed below :
Manner of calculation of interest for taxpayers having aggregate turnover above
Rs. 5 Cr.
3.1 Vide notification No. 31/2020-Central Tax, dated 3-4-2020, a
conditional lower rate of interest was provided for various class of registered
GST LAW TIMES  2nd July 2020  63