Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax Explained

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Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax: Seeks to amend notification no. 41/2020-Central Tax dt. 05.05.2020 to extend due date of return under Section 44 till 31.12.2020.

[To be published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Subsection (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 further amendment in the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), No. 41/2020 - Central Tax, dated the 5^th May, 2020 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide number G.S.R. 275(E), dated the 5th May, 2020, namely:-

In the said notification, for the figures, letters and word “31^st October, 2020”, the figures, letters and word “31^st December, 2020” shall be substituted.

(Pramod Kumar)
Director,
Government of India

Note: The principal notification No. 41/2020 - Central Tax, dated the 5th May, 2020, was published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, vide number G.S.R. 275(E), dated the 5th May, 2020 and was last amended vide notification No. 69/2020 – Central Tax dated the 30^th September, 2020, published vide number G.S.R. 595 (E), dated the 30^th September, 2020.

📚 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax

Q1: What is Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax about?

Answer:
Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax, dated 28th October 2020, extends the due date for filing GST Annual Return (Form GSTR-9) for FY 2018–2019 under Section 44 of the CGST Act, 2017, from 31st October 2020 to 31st December 2020.
This extension offers relief to taxpayers impacted by COVID-19 and other operational challenges.

Q2: Which earlier notification was amended by this one?

Answer:
It amends Notification No. 41/2020 – Central Tax, dated 5th May 2020, which had earlier fixed the due date as 31st October 2020.
Now, the new due date stands as 31st December 2020.

Q4: What is the purpose of extending the due date for filing annual returns?

Answer:
The purpose is to:
✅ Provide additional time for businesses to reconcile their data for FY 2018–2019.
✅ Address pandemic-related disruptions.
✅ Avoid penalties and late fees under Section 47 of the CGST Act.

Q5: Who benefits from Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax?

Answer:
This notification benefits:
Regular taxpayers registered under GST.
Businesses required to file Form GSTR-9 (Annual Return) and GSTR-9C (Reconciliation Statement).
For easier GST return filing, visit Finodha GST Return Filing.

Q6: What are Form GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C?

Answer:
GSTR-9: An annual summary of outward and inward supplies, ITC claimed, and tax paid.
GSTR-9C: A reconciliation statement between audited financial statements and GSTR-9 data, required for taxpayers with turnover above ₹5 crore.

Q7: What happens if a taxpayer misses the extended due date (31st December 2020)?

Answer:
If a taxpayer fails to file the annual return by 31st December 2020, they are liable to pay late fees under Section 47(2) — ₹100 per day under CGST and ₹100 under SGST, up to a maximum of 0.25% of turnover.
Avoid penalties — File your GST returns today with Finodha.

Q8: Does this notification apply to all taxpayers?

Answer:
No.
The extension applies only to registered persons required to file annual returns under Section 44(1).
Composition taxpayers filing Form GSTR-4 are covered under different provisions.

Q9: Why was this extension necessary in 2020?

Answer:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, taxpayers faced challenges in:
Finalizing annual books of accounts.
Reconciling input tax credits.
Matching supplier invoices.
Hence, the CBIC extended the due date to ensure compliance without penalty.

Q10: How does this notification relate to Notification No. 69/2020 – Central Tax?

Answer:
Notification 69/2020 had previously amended Notification 41/2020 to extend due dates till 31st October 2020.
Notification 80/2020 further extends it to 31st December 2020, replacing the earlier timeline.

Q11: What should taxpayers do after this extension?

Answer:
Taxpayers should:
Reconcile their books of accounts.
Verify ITC mismatches in GSTR-2A/2B.
Prepare GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C with auditor certification.
For audit assistance, consult Finodha GST Experts.

Q12: What is the consequence of not filing Form GSTR-9C?

Answer:
Failure to file Form GSTR-9C (where applicable) may attract:
Penalties under Section 125 (General Penalty),
Disallowance of ITC in subsequent years, and
Legal notices during GST audit.

Q13: What role does Section 44(1) play in this notification?

Answer:
Section 44(1) empowers the Commissioner to notify the due date for filing the annual return.
Notification 80/2020 exercises this authority to provide a new timeline of 31st December 2020.

Q14: Is there any relief on penalties or interest?

Answer:
While this notification focuses only on extending the due date, timely filing before 31st December automatically helps taxpayers avoid late fees and interest.

Q15: How can Finodha help in annual GST return filing?

Answer:
Finodha offers:
✅ Expert filing of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C.
✅ ITC reconciliation services.
✅ Compliance monitoring to avoid penalties.
Start your filing now at Finodha GST Return Filing.

🏁 Conclusion

Notification No. 80/2020 – Central Tax provides crucial relief to businesses by extending the due date for filing GST Annual Returns under Section 44 till 31st December 2020.
This move reflects the government’s intent to ensure smoother compliance amid disruptions.