With effect from 01.01.2021, section 16(4) of the CGST Act, 2017 was amended vide the Finance Act, 2020, so as to delink the date of issuance of debit note from the date of issuance of the underlying invoice for purposes of availing input tax credit.

Notification No. 14/2020-Central Tax, dated 21st March 2020 had been issued which requires Dynamic Quick Response Code on B2C invoice issued by taxpayers having aggregate turnover more than 500 crore rupees, w.e.f. 01.12.2020. Further, vide Notification No. 89/2020- Central Tax, dated 29th November 2020, penalty has been waived for non-compliance of the provisions of Notification No.14/2020 – Central Tax for the period from 01st December, 2020 to 31st March, 2021, subject to the condition that the said person complies with the provisions of the said Notification from 01st April, 2021.

Various representations have been received seeking clarification on some of the issues relating to GST refunds. The issues have been examined and to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the provisions of law across the field formations, the Board,

Based on the recommendations of the GST Council in its 45th meeting held on 17th September, 2021, at Lucknow, clarification, with reference to GST levy, related to the following are being issued through this circular:

The GST Council in its 45th meeting held on 17th September, 2021 recommended to notify ‚Restaurant Service‛ under section 9(5) of the CGST Act, 2017. Accordingly, the tax on supplies of restaurant service supplied through e- commerce operators shall be paid by the e-commerce operator.

Representations have been received seeking clarification on the issues in respect of refund of tax wrongfully paid as specified in section 77(1) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017

New GSTINs with UT Code 26 were created for the taxpayers of erstwhile UT of Daman and Diu w.e.f 1st August, 2020 on merger of the UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and UT of Daman & Diu.

Representations have been received seeking clarification regarding applicability of GST on the issues as to whether serving of food in schools under Mid-Day Meals Scheme would be exempt if such supplies are funded by government grants and/or corporate donations. The issue was examined by GST Council in its 43rd meeting held on 28th May, 2021.

GST is exempt on service, falling under heading 9967 (service code), by way of access to a road or a bridge on payment of annuity [entry 23A of notification No. 12/2017-Central Tax]. Heading 9967 covers “supporting services in transport” under which code 996742 covers “operation services of National Highways, State Highways, Expressways, Roads & streets; bridges and tunnel operation services”.