Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax Explained

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Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax: Seeks to extend the time limit for furnishing of the annual return specified under section 44 of CGST Act, 2017 for the financial year 2019-20 till 31.03.2021

[To be published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub- section (i)]

G.S.R.....(E).– In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 44 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (12 of 2017), read with rule 80 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017, the Commissioner, on the recommendations of the Council, hereby makes the following amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 95/2020 - Central Tax, dated the 30^th December, 2020 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 809(E), dated the 30^th December, 2020, namely:-

In the said notification, for the figures “28.02.2021”, the figures “31.03.2021” shall be substituted.

(Rajeev Ranjan)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Note: The principal notification No. 95/2020 - Central Tax, dated the 30^th December, 2020, was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number 809(E), dated the 30^th December, 2020.

📚 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax

Q1: What is Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax about?

Answer:
Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax, issued on 28th February 2021, extends the due date for filing the annual GST return under Section 44 of the CGST Act for FY 2019-20 from 28.02.2021 to 31.03.2021notfctn-04-central-tax-english-….

Q2: Which GST forms are affected by this extension?

Answer:
This notification primarily impacts Form GSTR-9 (Annual Return) and Form GSTR-9C (Reconciliation Statement) for the financial year 2019-20.

Q3: Who benefits from this extension under Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax?

Answer:
All taxpayers required to furnish annual returns for FY 2019-20 under Section 44 of the CGST Act benefit from this extended deadline.

Q4: Why was the due date extended till 31.03.2021?

Answer:
The extension was provided to offer compliance relief to taxpayers facing delays in preparing and reconciling their GST data due to operational and pandemic-related challenges.

Q5: How does this notification link with earlier notifications?

Answer:
Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax amends Notification No. 95/2020 – Central Tax (dated 30th December 2020), which had initially fixed 28.02.2021 as the due date.

Q6: What happens if a taxpayer still fails to file by 31.03.2021?

Answer:
If the return is not filed by the extended deadline, taxpayers may face penalties, interest, and compliance scrutiny under GST law. For hassle-free compliance, you can take professional help from a GST Expert.

Q7: Is there any change in late fees or penalties under this notification?

Answer:
No, Notification No. 04/2021 – Central Tax only extends the deadline. Late fees and penalties apply as per existing provisions if filing is delayed beyond 31.03.2021.

Q8: How can businesses ensure smooth annual GST return filing?

Answer:
Businesses can use GST Return Filing services or engage with GST Professionals to avoid errors and penalties.

Q9: Does this extension also apply to composition taxpayers?

Answer:
No, composition taxpayers are not required to file GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C. They file Form GSTR-4 annually. This notification specifically applies to regular taxpayers.