Govt extends deadlines for filing GST

New Delhi, March 24 (KNN) In view of the coronavirus crisis, the Ministry of Finance has extended the deadlines for filing returns of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The due date for filing return in FORM GSTR-3B for February by all registered persons has been extended to April 7, 2020.

''It has been decided to extend the due date of filing the annual return in FORM GSTR-9 and reconciliation statement for financial year 2018-19 from March 31 to June 30, 2020", the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement.

With the Covid-19 pandemic restricting movement and work, industry associations and tax practitioners have also been seeking an extension in the various deadlines that fall at the end of the month.

Reportedly, six trade and tax chambers had earlier sent a representation to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman seeking extension of the March 31 deadline for 100 per cent payment of disputed tax.

The number of deaths in India due COVID-19 rose to nine on Monday with 468 testing positives as the Centre announced a lockdown in 22 states and Union Territories across the country and the Indian Council of Medical research recommended the use of an anti-malarial drug in cases of high risk.

As per the health ministry, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Ladakh, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Tripura, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh are under complete lockdown.