High Court
GST Proceedings Cannot Be Initiated Against Deceased Proprietor: Andhra Pradesh High Court Reiterates
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has recently reiterated that GST authorities cannot initiate assessment or adjudication proceedings in the name of a deceased proprietor, even where the tax demand relates to a period when the business was active. A Division Bench of Justice R. Raghunandan Rao and Justice T.C.D. Sekhar clarified that Section 93 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, a provision that allows recovery of tax payable by deceased persons, does not authorise the initiation of fresh...
Andhra Pradesh High Court Holds Solar Power EPC Contract Eligible for 8.9% GST, Quashes 18% Demand
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has recently ruled that contracts for setting up solar power generating systems cannot be taxed at 18% GST merely because they involve erection and commissioning work. Holding that such contracts are covered by a concessional GST notification, the court said tax must be levied at an effective rate of 8.9% and set aside a higher assessment raised by GST authorities. A division bench of Justices R. Raghunandan Rao and T.C.D. Sekhar said the benefit of the...
Differential GST On Pre-GST Works Contracts To Be Reimbursed By State Agencies: Karnataka High Court
The Karnataka High Court ruled that the additional GST liability arising out of the shift from the pre-GST VAT (Value Added Tax) regime to the GST regime in ongoing works contracts cannot be imposed on contractors.The bench consists of Justice M Nagaprasanna, who directed the State Departments and government agencies to reimburse the differential GST to contractors.All the contracts were awarded prior to July 2017 under the KVAT regime, where the contract rates factored in VAT and...
GST Registration Cancelled For Non-Filing Of Returns Can Be Revived On Compliance: Gauhati High Court
The Gauhati High Court has reaffirmed that cancellation of a GST registration for continuous non-filing of returns does not permanently shut the door on restoration, so long as the taxpayer later files all pending returns and clears tax dues along with interest and late fees. A Single Judge Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi observed that even where registration has been cancelled for prolonged non-compliance, the proper GST officer continues to have the authority to revive it upon full...
Cash Not 'Goods' Under GST; Authorities Cannot Seize It Without Evidentiary Link: Calcutta High Court
The Calcutta High Court reiterated that cash does not fall within the definition of “goods” under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law and, therefore, GST authorities have no power to seize cash unless it is directly relevant to proceedings under the Act.A bench comprising Justice Om Narayan Rai referred to Section 2(52) of the CGST Act, which expressly excludes money from the definition of “goods.” The court observed, "A perusal of the said definition clearly reveals that money stands...
Gauhati High Court Rejects Bail Plea In ₹8.59 Crore GST Fraud Case
The Gauhati High Court has recently denied bail to a petitioner in Rs. 8.59-crore fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) scam, observing that the allegations disclose an organized and well-planned fraud involving misuse of the GST system. A bench comprising Justice Pranjal Das noted that custodial interrogation was necessary as the investigation was at a crucial stage and that granting bail could hamper efforts to unearth the larger conspiracy. Bahadur Islam, the petitioner, was arrested for alleged...
GST Refund Cannot Be Withheld Over Proposed Appeal: Bombay High Court
The Bombay High Court has held that GST authorities cannot refuse to comply with an appellate order directing a refund merely because an appeal against the order is contemplated. Such refusal is impermissible unless the appellate order is stayed or set aside. A Division Bench of Justice M. S. Sonak and Justice Advait M. Sethna was hearing a writ petition filed by Ma Agro Proprietor alleging non-compliance with an appellate order directing refund of GST along with interest. The court observed,...
Procuring Authority Liable For Differential GST In Government Contracts: Madras High Court Reiterates
Reiterating that additional GST arising from the rollout of the GST regime in government works contracts must be borne by the procuring authority, the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Housing Board to consider a contractor's claim for reimbursement of differential tax.A Bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar relying on settled law, held that contractors cannot be fastened with liability for differential GST, interest, or penalties when tax was discharged strictly in accordance...
