Thursday, 4 September 2025

Recommendations of the 56th Meeting of the GST Council - 03rd September'2025

In the 56th meeting of GST Council held on 3rd September’2025, the Goods and Services Tax rates in India have been rationalized, aligning with the vision outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2025. Effective from September 22, 2025, coinciding with the auspicious first day of Navratri, the GST framework will transition from five tax slabs (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) to a streamlined four-tier structure (0%, 5%, 18%, and 40%).

The new GST rates are categorized based on the nature of goods and services:
- 0%: Exempted goods and services, including essential items like unprocessed food, healthcare, and education.
- 5%: Essential goods and services, such as basic food items, public transportation, and healthcare products.
- 18%: Standard goods and services, covering most consumer goods, electronics, and professional services.
- 40%: Super-luxury and sin items, including high-end automobiles, luxury goods, tobacco, aerated beverages, and demerit goods.

While the revised rates are set to take effect on September 22, 2025, the transition is not merely a matter of adjusting prices in proportion to the new tax slabs. Several factors will influence the extent to which benefits are passed on to consumers:
- Input Tax Credit (ITC) Availability: Businesses must recalibrate their ITC claims based on the new rates, which may affect pricing strategies.
- Raw Material Price Adjustments: Changes in GST rates on inputs could alter production costs, impacting final product prices.
- Discounts and Promotional Schemes: Industries such as automobiles, FMCG, and garments often rely on complex pricing models, including discounts. A 10% reduction in GST, for instance, does not guarantee an equivalent price reduction for consumers, as businesses will assess overall cost structures.

Beyond rate rationalization, the GST Council introduced several measures to enhance the GST framework:
1. Simplified Registration Process: Streamlined procedures for GST registration to reduce compliance burdens, particularly for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
2. Enhanced Refund Provisions: Faster and more transparent refund processes to improve cash flow for businesses, especially exporters and those with inverted duty structures.
3. Post-Sales Discounts: Clear guidelines on accounting for post-sales discounts to ensure consistency in tax calculations and prevent disputes.
4. Compliance Simplification: Introduction of technology-driven solutions, such as e-invoicing enhancements and simplified return filing, to make compliance easier for taxpayers.

The government has assured stakeholders that detailed guidelines and FAQs will be issued to facilitate a smooth transition.

For comprehensive details on the revised GST rates, registration processes, refund provisions, and other reforms, please refer to the official press release link given at the end of this post or visit the GST Council’s website. Thanks.

Tuesday, 2 September 2025

The 56th Meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council - Expectations

The 56th Meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is scheduled for September 3 and 4, 2025, in New Delhi. This session, following a six-month gap since the 55th meeting in December 2024, is poised to be a landmark event, building on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day announcement on August 15, 2025, about "next-generation GST reforms" aimed at simplifying the tax structure, reducing compliance burdens, and providing relief to consumers, farmers, the middle class, and MSMEs. These reforms are expected to be unveiled as a "Diwali gift," potentially taking effect by mid-October 2025 to boost festive-season consumption.


The GST Council decisions could reshape India's indirect tax regime, introduced in 2017, by addressing long-pending issues like rate rationalization and inverted duty structures. While the official agenda will be finalized during the officers' meeting, media reports, government briefings, and expert analyses point to a focus on structural simplification under "GST 2.0."

The agenda, shaped by the Group of Ministers on rate rationalization and government inputs, emphasizes three areas:

1. GST Rate Rationalization: The current multi-tier GST structure (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%, plus cess) may shift to a two-slab system (5% for essentials, 18% for standard items), eliminating 12% and 28% slabs. A 40% slab for luxury/sin goods (e.g., tobacco, high-end vehicles) is proposed. Rate cuts on 175 items, like essentials (from 12%/18% to 5%) and consumer durables (28% to 18%), are expected, alongside corrections for inverted duty structures in sectors like textiles and fertilizers. Benefits include reduced disputes, simpler compliance, and economic growth, though states like Karnataka and Kerala seek revenue guarantees.

2. Compliance and Digital Reforms: Pre-filled returns, automated refunds, B2C e-invoicing, and enhanced Input Tax Credit systems are planned. Biometric Aadhaar authentication for registrations may expand, alongside anti-evasion measures for online gaming, e-commerce, and crypto.

3. Sector-Specific Changes: Proposals include 5% GST for commercial drones, reducing ceramics and automotive tyres from 18%/28% to 5%/18%, and clarifications for sectors like real estate and SEZs.

This meeting could mark a pivotal shift toward a "simple, stable, and transparent" GST, but final outcomes depend on Centre-state consensus. If implemented swiftly, it promises significant relief ahead of Diwali and Bihar elections. Thanks.

hashtag

Monday, 1 September 2025

Compliance Calendar for the month of September – 2025

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to share the Compliance Calendar for September 2025, outlining key regulatory and statutory deadlines for the month, including GST, Income Tax, ROC and PF/ESI obligations. Please note that the information provided is based on the latest updates available as of today. For full compliance, always verify details through official government and tax portals for any subsequent notifications, circulars, or amendments.

Special Note on Income Tax: The due date for filing Income Tax Returns (ITR) for individual assessees, originally set for 31st July 2025, has been extended to 15th September 2025. I strongly advise against taking ITR filing lightly. Relying on non-professionals or attempting to file without adequate expertise, especially to save costs, can lead to errors, resulting in demand notices, interest, and penalties. Unless you are well-versed in tax provisions and your income is limited to salary and bank interest, always seek professional assistance.

Key Points to Ensure Accurate ITR Filing:

1. Choose the Correct ITR Form: Select the appropriate form (e.g., ITR-1 (Sahaj), ITR-2, ITR-3, or ITR-4 (Sugam)) based on your income profile. Using the wrong form may trigger notices under Section 139(9).
2. Select the Right Tax Regime: Decide between the new and old tax regimes based on your financial situation.
3. Verify Pre-Filled Data: Cross-check details in AIS, Form 26AS, and Form 16 for accuracy.
4. Report All Income Accurately: Include all sources, such as capital gains, to avoid discrepancies.
5. Claim Deductions/Exemptions with Proof: Provide detailed documentation for claims like HRA, 80C, 80D, 80E, and 80G, as errors in these areas led to many notices last year.
6. Disclose Assets and Liabilities: If your total income exceeds ₹1 crore, complete Schedule AL accurately.
7. Pay Taxes on Time: Settle advance tax and self-assessment tax using the correct challan to avoid interest under Sections 234A, 234B, or 234C.
8. File by the Due Date: Submit your ITR on or before Due Date to avoid penalties.
9. E-Verify Promptly: Complete e-verification immediately after filing.
10. Ensure PAN-Aadhaar Linking and Bank Account Disclosure: Report all relevant bank accounts and confirm PAN-Aadhaar linkage.

At Last, avoid rushing while filing your ITR. Review the Excel utility file on the Income Tax portal and refer to the validation file (available in PDF format) for detailed guidance on form contents.

Thank you for your attention to these critical compliance matters. Enjoy the new Era of new Taxation and be ready for New Income Tax in 2026. 😊

Compliance Calendar for the month of September – 2025

By: Sukhvinder Singh Bhatia

Compliances: TDS/Income Tax   

7 September 2025: Due date for deposit of Tax deducted/collected for the month of August, 2025. However, all sum deducted/collected by an office of the government shall be paid to the credit of the Central Government on the same day where tax is paid without production of an Income-tax Challan​.

7 September 2025: Uploading of declarations received in Form 27C from the buyer in the month of August, 2025.

14 September 2025: Due date for issue of TDS Certificate for tax deducted under section 194-IA/194-IB/194M/194S in the month of July, 2025

15 September 2025: Second instalment of advance tax for the assessment year 2026-27​.

15 September 2025: Return of income for the assessment year 2025-26 for all assessee other than (a) corporate-assessee or (b) non-corporate assessee (whose books of account are required to be audited) or (c) partner of a firm whose accounts are required to be audited or the spouse of such partner if the provisions of section 5A applies or (d) an assessee who is required to furnish a report under section 92E.

Note: The due date for furnishing the return of income for Assessment year 2025-26 has been extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025, vide Circular no. 06/2025, dated 27-05-2025

15 September 2025: Due date for furnishing of Form 24G by an office of the Government where TDS/TCS for the month of August, 2025 has been paid without the production of a challan.

15 September 2025: Due date for furnishing statement in Form no. 3BB by a stock exchange in respect of transactions in which client codes been modified after registering in the system for the month of August, 2025

15 September 2025: Statement by scientific research association, university, college or other association or Indian scientific research company as required by rules 5D, 5E and 5F (if due date of submission of return of income is July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of statement for exercising the option to pay tax at a concessional rate under section 115BBF for income in the nature of royalty arising from patent developed and registered in India (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of declaration by a taxpayer claiming deduction under section 80GG in respect of the rent paid for residential accommodation (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Reporting of details of funds received from eligible persons (either directly or through Alternative Investment Fund) in the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of certificate by a resident individual being a patentee claiming deduction under section 80RRB in respect of royalty income on patents (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of particulars for claiming relief under section 89 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of statement for exercising the option to claim relief under section 89A for income arising from retirement benefit account maintained in a notified country at the time of withdrawal or redemption (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Exercising the option to opt-out from the new tax regime under section 115BAC (if assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31,2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Exercising the option to opt for alternative tax regime under section 115BAD by co-operative society (if assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Exercising the option to opt for alternative tax regime under section 115BAE by co-operative society (if assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of details of attribution of capital gain taxable under section 45(4) to the capital asset remaining with the firm, AOP, or BOI after reconstitution (if the firm, AOP, or BOI is required to furnish return of income by July 31, 2025)

​​​* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Submission of a report from a Chartered Accountant for the previous year 2024-25 relating to arm's length price of the remuneration paid by an eligible investment fund to the fund manager (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)*

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

15 September 2025: Furnishing of certificate by a resident individual being an author (including a joint author) claiming deduction under section 80QQB in respect of royalty income (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by July 31, 2025)

* Extended from July 31, 2025, to September 15, 2025

30 September 2025: Due date for furnishing of challan-cum-statement in respect of tax deducted under section 194-IA in the month of August, 2025

30 September 2025: Due date for furnishing of challan-cum-statement in respect of tax deducted under section 194-IB in the month of August, 2025

30 September 2025: Due date for furnishing of challan-cum-statement in respect of tax deducted under section 194M in the month of August, 2025

30 September 2025: Due date for furnishing of challan-cum-statement in respect of tax deducted under section 194S (by specified person) in the month of August, 2025

30 September 2025: Due date for filing of audit report under section 44AB for the assessment year 2025-26 in the case of a corporate-assessee or non-corporate assessee (who is required to submit his/its return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Application in Form 9A for exercising the option available under Explanation to section 11(1) to apply income of previous year in the next year or in future (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on November 30, 2025)

30 September 2025: Statement in Form no. 10 to be furnished to accumulate income for future application under section 10(21) or section 11(1) (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on November 30, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of Audit report in Form no. 10B/10BB by a fund or trust or institution or any university or other educational institution or any hospital or other medical institution

30 September 2025: Furnishing audit report in Form 3AC by assessee claiming deduction under section 33AB for the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing audit report in Form 3AD by assessee claiming deduction under section 33ABA for the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of report of audit of the accounts of an assessee, other than a company or a co-operative society, in Form No. 3AE under section 35D(4) for the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of report of audit of the accounts of an assessee, other than a company or a co-operative society, in Form No. 3AE under section 35E(6) for the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of statement containing the particulars of expenditures specified under Section 35D(2)(a) (if the assessee is required to submit return of income by October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of audit report in Form 3CE under section 44DA by non-resident and foreign company for the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of audit report relating to computation of capital gains in case of slump sale (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of report in Form No. 10CCF certifying that the amount of deduction under section 80LA has been correctly claimed during the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing report certifying the claim for additional employee cost under section 80JJAA during the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing report under section 115JB for computing the book profits of the company during the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing report under section 115JC for computing Adjusted Total Income and Alternate Minimum Tax of the person other than company during the previous year 2024-25 (if the assessee is required to submit return of income on October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of Audit Report under clause (ii) of section 115VW for the previous year 2024-25

30 September 2025: Furnishing of audit report by the specified fund, being the investment division of an offshore banking unit, for the purpose of exemption under section 10(4D) (if assessee is required to submit return of income by October 31, 2025)

30 September 2025: Furnishing of certificate issued by Chartered Accountant certifying annual statement of exempt income of specified fund, being a category-III AIF, under section 10(23FF)

 

Compliances: GST (Goods and Service Tax)

Date

Day

GST Related Compliances

10-09-25

Wednesday

1)       GSTR-7: TDS deductors under GST for August’25.

2)       GSTR-8: TCS collectors (e-commerce operators) for August’25.

11-09-25

Thursday

1)       GSTR-1 (Monthly): For August’25 (turnover > ₹5 crore or not opted for QRMP scheme)

13-09-25

Saturday

1)       GSTR-6: Input Service Distributors for August’25.

2)       GSTR-5 by NRIs for August’25.

3)       IFF (Optional) for August’25 if opted for QRMP scheme.

20-09-25

Saturday

1)       GSTR-3B (Monthly): For August’25 (turnover > ₹5 crore or not opted for QRMP scheme).

2)       GSTR-5A: OIDAR service providers for August’25.

Compliances: PF/ESI   

                                                                 

Date

Day

PF/ESI Compliances

15-09-25

Monday

PF & ESI Contribution: Payment and return filing for August’25.

                                                                                                         

Company Law/ROC/MCA 

Date

Day

Company Law Related Compliances

30-09-25

Tuesday

1)       Annual General Meeting (AGM) for FY 2024-25.

2)       DIR-3 KYC

Sources:

https://incometaxindia.gov.in/

https://www.gst.gov.in/