Non-filers of monthly GST return barred from filing GSTR-1 from Jan 1, 2022

From January 1, 2022, businesses defaulting on paying monthly GST and filing summary returns will not be able to file GSTR-1 sales returns of the succeeding month. During the meeting in Lucknow on September 17, the GST Council decided to take a slew of measures by amending Rule 59(6) of the Central GST Rules to streamline processes and compliance, including mandatory authentication of Aadhar to file refund claim for businesses. This was done to ensure that there is no revenue leakage by evading Goods and Services Tax (GST).

At present, if a business fails to file GSTR-3B of preceding two months, the law restricts the filing for returns on outward supplies or GSTR-1.

While GSTR-3B in which businesses pay taxes, is filed in a staggered manner between 20th-24th day of the succeding month, GSTR-1 of a particular month on the other hand is filed by the 11th day of the subsequent month.

Aadhaar authentication to be mandatory

For businesses to get eligibility in filing refund claim and application for revocation of cancellation of registration, the council has made Aadhaar authentication of GST registration mandatory.The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) had notified Aadhaar authentication for GST registration with effect from August 21, 2020.

In case of businesses not providing Aadhaar number, then GST registration would be given only after the place of business is physically verified, the notification said.

In its 45 meeting, it was also decided with the council that GST refunds will be disbursed in bank account, which is linked with the same PAN on which the registration has been obtained under GST.