Latest Update (Outcome from Union budget 2021)

Union Budget 2021 Outcome
a. Exemption from ITR filing to senior citizens aged 75 years and above, earning only pension and interest income.
b. The income tax department launched pre-filled ITRs with additional details to simplify the return filing process.
c. The due date for filing belated and revised returns is reduced by three months. This also means that the IT department will process the returns and send a notice under section 143(1) by 31st December.

Prosecution under GST

The prosecution is the conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.

Offences liable for prosecution

Any person committing the following offences (i.e., deliberate intention of fraud) becomes liable to prosecution, i.e., face criminal charges.

1. Supplies any goods/services without an invoice to evade tax
2. Issues any invoice without supplying any goods/services- thus taking input credit or refund by fraud
3. Collects any GST (even if in contravention of provisions) but does not submit it to the government within three months.
4. Obtains refund of any CGST/SGST by fraud.
5. Submits fake financial records/documents or files counterfeit returns to evade tax
6. Obstructs the proper officer during his duty (for example, he hinders the officer during the audit by tax authorities)
7. Acquires/receives any goods/services with full knowledge that it violates GST rules and is liable for confiscation.
8. Destroys any evidence
9. Does not provide information/gives false information during proceedings
10. It helps any person to commit fraud under GST

Punishment

The person committing any of the offences above shall be punished as follows:

**If a person commits the following offences AND the amount involved exceeds 500 lakhs, then the violations are non-bailable-

1. Supplies any goods/services without an invoice to evade tax
2. Issues any invoice without supplying any goods/services- thus taking input credit or refund by fraud
3. Collects any GST (even if in contravention of provisions) but does not submit it to the government within three months.

This is in keeping with the government’s anti-tax evasion stance by bringing in stricter measures.

Punishment for destroying evidence

For destroying evidence, preventing the officer from his duty, falsifying information or helping someone in the same, he is liable for up to 6 months imprisonment with a fine.

Repeat offenders

If the offence is repeated a second time, punishment can extend up to 5 years with a fine. A person can not be prosecuted without the prior sanction of the Commissioner.

Compounding of offences under GST

What is the compounding of offences?

Compounding offences is a shortcut method to avoid litigation. In the case of prosecution for an offence in a criminal court, the accused has to appear before the Magistrate at every hearing through an advocate. Court proceedings are time-consuming and expensive. In compounding, the accused is not required to appear personally and can be discharged on payment of the compounding fee, which cannot be more than the maximum fine leviable under the relevant provisions. GST Act also allows for the compounding of offences.

Non-availability of compounding

Compounding will not be available for-.

• Anyone who has already committed any of the offences mentioned under prosecution above, i.e., second-time offenders, will not be allowed to compound.
• A person who had committed an offence before under GST involving supplies above Rs. 1 crore has been allowed to compound early. Thus, it stands, any person previously enjoying compounding for goods/services over Rs. 1 crore will not enjoy compounding a second time.
• Any person is also being tried under other acts such as the Narcotic Drugs Act, FEMA etc.
• Any person convicted by a court under GST
• Any person giving false information during proceedings, or preventing the officer from his duty or destroying evidence

Compounding will be allowed only after payment of all tax, interest and penalty dues.

The amount payable for compounding

The amount payable for compounding offences shall be 50% of the tax involved, subject to a minimum of Rs. 10,000. The maximum amount for compounding is 150% of the tax OR Rs. 30,000 -Whichever is higher.

Abatement of further proceedings

On payment of the compounding amount, shall initiate no further proceedings against the accused person for the same offence, and any criminal proceedings, if already formed, will be abated. Apart from prosecution, the offender can also be arrested. Would you mind reading our article on arrest under GST? Thus, GST has severe prosecutions to punish tax evaders and the corrupt, thus keeping the government’s anti-tax evasion stance in mind.