New Delhi, Jan 11 (KNN) The government has once again extended the last date for availing a waiver on late fee for delay in filing GSTR-1 from July 2017 to November 2019.

The date has been extended from January 10 to 17.

In the 38th meeting of the GST Council on December 18, authorities had waived of a late fee to be given by all taxpayers in respect of all pending Form GSTR-1 from July 2017 to November 2019, if the same is not filed by January 10th, 2020.

"The response to this waiver has been very encouraging and since announcement on December 18, 2019, 54 lakh GSTR-1 have gotten filed till January 09, 2020," Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Friday. "

''In the view of such huge response, which would lead reduction in unmatched credit, it has been decided to extend the said amnesty scheme from January 10, 2020 to January 17, 2020," the statement added.

In its last meeting, the council of finance ministers had decided to waive late fee for delayed GST returns from July 2017 to November 2019 as GSTR-1 is important for invoice matching. E-way bills will be blocked for taxpayers who did not file by the designated deadline - originally January 10, now changed to January 17.

The GST panel had also extended the deadline for filing annual return GSTR-9 and reconciliation form GSTR-9C for the financial year 2017-18 to January 31, 2020.

GSTR-1 is a monthly return that summarizes all sales (outward supplies) of a taxpayer. The due dates for GSTR-1 are based on turnover. Businesses with sales of up to Rs. 1.5 crore will file quarterly returns. Other taxpayers with sales above Rs. 1.5 crores have to file monthly return.

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