GST represents a novel taxation system with innovative concepts such as determining the ‘place of supply’ and new tax structures. It is a consumption-based tax applicable in the state where goods or services are consumed. This framework can sometimes lead to confusion, particularly in specific situations.
For instance, consider a scenario where a seller in Prayagrai (Uttar Pradesh) sells goods to a buyer in Chandigarh, with the buyer requesting delivery to Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). Despite the goods ultimately ending up in Uttar Pradesh, this is considered an inter-state sale, which can be perplexing and prone to tax calculation errors. Taxpayers wrong GST paid. To address such situations, GST legislation includes provisions.
When tax is incorrectly collected and remitted to either the Central or State Government, specific nuances exist to consider. Here are the details:
Misclassification of Interstate and Intrastate Sales:
If a taxable entity mistakenly pays CGST/SGST (Central Goods and Services Tax/State Goods and Services Tax) on an inter-state supply, which should have been treated as an intra-state supply (resulting in IGST being the correct tax), they must pay IGST and seek a refund for the CGST/SGST paid.
Conversely, if a taxable person pays IGST on an intra-state supply, which should have been treated as an inter-state supply, they must pay CGST/SGST and receive a refund for the IGST amount paid.
Significantly, no interest is charged when the correct tax is paid subsequently, and penalties do not apply in these situations.
Refunds for incorrect tax calculations will be processed separately to rectify wrongly paid taxes. The procedure for these refunds differs from the standard GST refund process. The GST legislation explicitly states that interest will not be applicable when the correct tax is paid later, recognising that errors can occur, especially among small and medium-sized businesses during the early stages of GST implementation.
In the scenario where tax is collected but not deposited, there is a different approach:
While the legal framework demonstrates flexibility regarding incorrect tax deposits, it is stringent regarding unremitted taxes collected after collection. Any individual or entity collecting GST is legally obliged to remit it to either the Central or State government, regardless of whether the goods or services supplied are subject to taxation.
In essence, a taxpayer cannot collect GST and subsequently argue that they should be exempt from depositing the tax based on the nature of their goods or services. The principle of unjust enrichment is prohibited under GST, and penalties will be imposed in such cases without consideration of any orders from tribunals or courts.
In these situations, the designated officer will issue a show-cause notice, and the taxpayer can request a personal hearing in writing to present their case.
Penalties for Non-Deposit of Collected Tax:
Penalties will apply if a person collects GST but fails to remit it to the appropriate government authorities. Any entity that manages GST is legally bound to deposit it, whether the supply is taxable or not.
Show-Cause Notice and Penalty Process:
In such cases, the proper officer will issue an order for the person to pay the outstanding tax amount along with the associated penalty. The person must remit the collected GST plus interest on late payment (with interest rates to be specified later).
Order Timeline:
The order must be issued within one year from the date of the show-cause notice. If a tribunal or court issues a stay order, the period of the stay will not be counted within this one-year timeframe.
Surplus Amount Handling:
If any surplus amount remains after settling all dues, it will either be refunded to the entity that bore the tax (typically the buyer) or credited to the Consumer Welfare Fund under GST. Buyers can apply for a refund within six months of the public notice.
Also Read:
Late Fees And Penalties For Non-Compliance In GSTR-7
GSTR 4 Late Fee: How Much Do You Pay And What Are The Consequences?
Penalties And Late Fees For GSTR-3B Filing
The Bottom Line
The GST legislation contains rigorous provisions to combat tax evasion, aligning with the government’s anti-evasion stance. However, it also considers the transitional challenges of implementing GST. It aims to ease the burden on taxpayers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, by not imposing undue stress in cases of erroneous or mistaken tax payments.
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Also Listen: Consent Letter for GST Registration
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens if you mistakenly pay the incorrect amount of GST?
If you discover that you have made an erroneous GST payment, you can rectify this mistake without incurring penalties by seeking a refund for the excess tax paid. However, if you neglect to correct the error and do not file an application to reclaim the overpaid tax, you might face penalties.
Can GST payments be reversed?
Following the rule, if a taxpayer fails to settle their dues to the supplier within 180 days from the date of the invoice, any previously claimed Input Tax Credit (ITC) will be reversed, and interest may be applied. Rule 43 of the CGST Rules, 2017, governs the reversal of input tax credit in cases of exempt supplies.
What is the time frame for rectifying mistakes under GST?
In the GST framework, the time limit for notifying errors to the tax authority is three months, and the authority can issue a rectification order within six months from the specified date.
