Delhi GST amendment bill passed, ‘to ease tax woes’

NEW DELHI: Delhi assembly on Friday passed Delhi Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2021 on the second day of the monsoon session. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who proposed the Bill, said it would remove difficulties faced by taxpayers and increase the accountability of tax evaders.
“Small changes have been made in 15 sections of the Bill and Schedule II, paragraph 7 is being omitted.These changes have been made after looking at the experiences and receiving feedback of businesspersons. The amendments were approved in the 39th GST council meeting after wide deliberations,” Sisodia said in the assembly.
The amendments include removal of compulsory submission of audited annual accounts and reconciliation statements for registered taxpayers. “Since audit and reconciliation was necessary earlier, traders had to be reliant on chartered and cost accountants,” Sisodia said.
In case of detention, seizure and release of goods and conveyance in transit, the products can be released on payment of only the penalty opposed to the previous practice of goods being released on the payment of applicable tax and penalty. Also, interest charged in case of delay in filing GST would be payable on the net amount and not on the gross amount, applicable retrospectively from July 1, 2017.
Another amendment was targeted at individuals who set up fake firms in the names of others and get away with claiming tax refunds. “In case of appeal against order of proper officer for goods in transit, the precondition amount has been increased to 25%, while in other cases it will remain 10%,” said the deputy CM.
Sisodia also moved a motion to amend the “Bed and Breakfast Scheme” to promote tourism in Delhi, which was passed. Now, houses can get registered as bed and breakfast facilities within 30 days instead of 90 days.
Under this scheme, tourists, especially foreigners, can stay in a family’s home to experience Indian traditions and culture. Sisodia, who is also the tourism minister, said shortening of the registration process would help cover more households and owners would get the certificate online.