ADVANCE RULING
95. In this Chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,- Defintions.
(a) "advance ruling" means a decision provided by the Authority or the Appellate Authority to an applicant on matters or on questions specified in sub-section (2) of section 97 or sub- section (1) of section 100, in relation to the supply of goods or services or both being undertaken or proposed to be undertaken bythe applicant;
(b) "Appellate Authority" means the Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling constituted under section 99;
(c) "applicant" means any person registered or desirous of obtaining registration under this Act;
(d) "applicant" means an application made to the Authority under sub- section (1) of section 97;
(e) "Authority" means the Authority for Advance Ruling, constituted undersection 96.
96. (1) The Government shall, by notification, constitute an Constitution
of Authority
Authority to be known as the Nagaland Authority for for Advance
Advance Ruling:
Ruling.
Provided that the Government may, on the recommendation of the council, notify any Authority located in another State to act as the Authority for the State.
(2) The Authority shall consist of-
(I) one member from amongst the officers of central tax; and
(ii) one member from amongst the officers of State tax, to be appointed by the central Government and the State Government respectively.
480
(3)
The qualifications, the method of appointment of the members and the terms and conditions of their services shall be such as may be prescribed.
97. (1) An applicant desirous of obtaining an advance ruling for advance
form and manner and accompanied by such fee as may ruling. be prescribed, stating the question on which the advance ruling is sought.
(2) The question on which the advance ruling is sought under this Act, shall be in respect of,-
(a) classification of anygoods or services or both;
(b) applicability of a notification issued underthe provisions of this Act;
(c) determination of time and value of supply of goods or services or both;
(d) admissibility of input tax credit of tax paid or deemed to have been paid;
(e) determination of the liability to pay tax on any goods or services or both;
(f) whether applicant is required to be registered;
(g) whether any particular thing done by the applicant with respect to any goods or services or both amounts to or results in a supply of goods or services or both, within the meaning of that term. 98.(1) On receipt of an application, the Authority shall cause a copy thereof to be forwarded to the concerned officer and, if necessary, Call upon him to furnish the relevant records:
Procedure
on receipt of
application.
Provided that where any records have been called for by the Authority in any case, such records shall, as soon as possible, be returned to the said concerned officer.
under this Chapter may make an application in such Application
481
(2) The Authority may, after examining the application and the records called for and after hearing the applicant or his authorised representative and the concerned officer or his authorised representative, by order, either admit or reject the application:
Provided that the Authority shall not admit the application where the question raised in the application is already pending or decided in any proceedings in the case of an applicant under any of the provisions of this Act:
Provided further that no application shall be rejected under this sub- section unless an opportunity of hearing has been given to the applicant:
Provided also that where the application is rejected, the reasons for such rejection shall be specified in the order.
(3) A copy of every order made under sub-section (2) shall be sent tothe applicant and to the concerned officer.
(4) Where an application is admitted under sub-section (2), the Authority shall, after examining such further material as may be placed before it by the applicant or obtained by the Authority and after providing an opportunity of being heard to the applicant or his authorised representative as well as to the concerned officer or his authorised representative, pronounce its advance ruling on the question specified in the application.
(5) Where the members of the Authority differ on any question on which the advance ruling is sought, they shall state the point or points on which they differ and make a reference to the Appellate Authority for hearing and decision on such question.
(6) The Authority shall pronounce its advance ruling in writing within days from the date of receipt of application.
482
(7) A copy of the advance ruling pronounced by the Authority duly signed by the members and certified in such manner asmay be prescribed shall be sent to the applicant, the concerned officer and the jurisdictional officer after such pronouncement.
99. The Government shall, by notification, constitute an Constitution
Authority to be known as Nagaland Appellate Authority of Appellate Authority
for Advance Ruling for Goods or Services Tax for hearing forAdvance
appeals against the advanceruling pronounced by the Ruling.
Advance Ruling Authority consisting of:-
(I)
the Chief Commissioner of central tax as designated by the Board; and
(ii) the Commissioner ofStatetax:
Provided that the Government may, on the recommendations of the Council, notify any Appellate Authority located in another State or Union territory to act as the Appellate Authority for the State. 100.(I) The concerned officer, the jurisdictional officer or an applicant Aggrieved by any advance ruling pronounced under sub-secion (4) the Of section 98, may appeal to the Appellate Authority.
Appeal to the Appellate Authority
(2) Every appeal under this section shall be field within a period of thirty days from the date on which the ruling sought to be appealed against is communicated to the concerned officer, the jurisdictional officer and the applicant:
Provided that the Appellate Authority may, if it is satisfied that the appellate was prevented by a sufficient cause from presenting the appeal within the said period of thirty days a low is to be presented within a further period not exceeding thirty days.
(3) Every appeal under this section shall been such form, accompanied bysuch fee and verified in such manner as may be prescribed.
483
101. (1) The Appellate Authority may, after giving the parties to Orders of
the appeal or reference an opportunity of being heard, Appellate
pass such order as it thinks fit, confirming or modifying Authority.
the ruling appealed against or referred to.
(2) The order referred to in sub-section (1) shall be passed within a period of ninety days from the date of filing of the appeal under section 100 or a reference under sub-section (5) of section 98.
(3) Where the members of the Appellate Authority differ on any point or points referred to in appeal or reference, it shall be deemed that no advance ruling can be issued in respect of the question under the appeal or reference.
(4) A copy of the advance ruling pronounced by the Appellate Authority duly signed by the Members and certificate in such manner as may be prescribed shall be sent to the applicant, the concerned officer, the jurisdictional officer and to the Authority after such pronouncement.
102. The Authority or the Appellate Authority may amend any order passed by it under section 98 or section 101 so as to rectify any error apparent on the face of the record, if Rectification
such error is noticed by the Authority or the Appellate of advance
Authority on its own accord, or is brought to its notice ruling
by the concerned officer, the jurisdictional officer, or the applicant or the appellant within a period of six months from the date of the order:
103. (1)
provided that no rectification which has the effect of enhancing the tax liability or reducing the amount of admissible input tax credit shall be made unless the applicant or the appellant has been given an opportunity of being heard.
The advance ruling pronounced by the Authority or the Applicability of advance
Appellate Authority under this Chapter shall be binding only- ruling.
484
104.(1) Where the Authority or the Appellate Authority finds that advance ruling pronounced by it under sub-section (4) of
section 98 or under sub-section (1) of section 101 has
Advance ruling to be
been obtained by the applicant or the appellant by void in certain
fraud or suppression of material facts or circumstances.
misrepresentation of facts, it may, by order, declare such ruling to be void ab-initio and thereupon all the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder shall apply to the applicant or the appellant as if such advance ruling had never been made:
(a) on the applicant who had sought it in respect of any matter referred to in sub-section (2) of section 97 for advance ruling;
(b) on the concerned officer or the jurisdictional officer in respect of the applicant.
(2) The advance ruling referred to in sub-section (1) shall be binding unless the law, facts or circumstances supporting the original advance ruling have changed.
Provided that no order shall be passed under this sub-section unless an opportunity of being heard has been given to the applicant or the appellant.
Explanation.- The period beginning with the date of such advance ruling and ending with the date of order under this sub-section shall be excluded while computing the period specified in sub-sections (2) and (10) of section 73 or sub-sections (2) and (10) of section 74.
(2) A copy of the order made under sub-section (1) shall be sent to the applicant, the concerned officer and the jurisdictional officer. 105.(1) The Authority or the Appellate Authority shall, for the Powers of 5 of 1908 purpose of exercising its powers regarding- Authority and
Appellate
(a) discovery and inspection; Authority.
485
(b) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(c) issuing commissions and compelling production of books of account and other records,
have all the powers of a civil court underthe Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
(2) The Authority or the Appellate Authority shall be deemed to be a civil 2 of 1974. court for the purposes of section 195, but not for the purposes of Chapter 45 of 1860. XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and every proceeding before the Authority or the Appellate Authority shall be deemed to be a judicial proceedings within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purpose of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code.
106. The Authority or the Appellate Authority shall, Procedure of subject to the provisions of this Chapter, have power Authority
to regulate its own
And Appellate Authority. CHAPTER-XVUI
APPEALS AND REVISION
107.(1) Any person aggrieved by any decision or order passed under this Act or the Central Goods and Services Tax Act by an Appeals to
adjudicating authority may appeal to such Appellate Appellate
Authority as may be prescribed within three months from Authority.
the date on which the said decision or order is communicated to such person.
(2) The Commissioner may, on his own motion, or upon request from the Commissioner of central tax, call for and examine the record of any proceeding in which an adjudicating authority has passed any decision or order under this Act or the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the legality or propriety of the said decision or order and may, by order, direct any officer subordinate to him to apply to the Appellate Authority within six months from the date of communication of the said decision or order for the
486
determination of such points arising out of the said decision or order as may be specified by the Commissioner in his order.
(3)
Where, in pursuance of an order under sub-section (2), the authorised officer makes an application to the Appellate Authority, such application shall be dealt with by the Appellate Authority as if it were an appeal made against the decision or order of the adjudicating authority and such authorised officer were appellant and the provisions of this Act relating to appeals shall apply to such application.
(4) The Appellate Authority may, if he is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from presenting the appeal within the aforesaid period of three months or six months, as the case may be, allow it to be presented within a further period of one month
(5) Every appeal under this section shall be in such form and shall be verified in such manner as may be prescribed.
(6) No appeal shall be filed under sub-section (1), unless the appellant has paid-
(a) in full, such part of the amount of tax, interest, fine, fee and penalty arising from the impugned order, as is admitted by him; and
(b) a sum equal to ten percent, of the remaining amount of tax in dispute arising from the said order, in relation to which the appeal has been filed.
(7) Where the appellant has paid the amount under sub-section (6), the recovery proceedings for the balance amount shall be deemed to be stayed.
(8) The Appellate Authority shall give an opportunity to the appellant of being heard.
(9) The Appellate Authority may, if sufficient cause is shown at any stage of hearing of an appeal, grant time to the parties or any of them and
487
adjourn the hearing of the appeal for reasons to be recorded in writing; Provided that no such adjournment shall be granted more than three times to a party during hearing of the appeal.
(10) The Appellate Authority may, at the time of hearing of an appeal, allow an appellant to add any ground of appeal not specified in the grounds of appeal, if it is satisfied that the omission of that ground from the grounds of appeal was not wilful or unreasonable.
(11) The Appellate Authority shall, after making such further inquiry as may be necessary, pass such order, as it thinks just and proper, confirming, modifying or annulling the decision or order appealed against but shall not refer the case back to the adjudicating authority that passed the said decision or order:
Provided that an order enhancing any fee or penalty or fine in lieu of confiscation or confiscating goods of greater value or reducing the amount of refund or input tax credit shall not be passed unlessthe appellant has been given a reasonable opportunity of showing cause against the proposed order:
Provided further that where the Appellate Authority is of the opinion that any tax has not been paid or short-paid or erroneously refunded, or where input tax credit has been wrongly availed or utilised, no order requiring the appellant to pay such tax or input tax credit shall be passed unless the appellant is given notice to show cause against the proposed order and the order is passed within the time limit specified under section 73 or section 74.
(12) The order of the Appellate Authority disposing of the appeal shall be in writing and shall state the points for determination, the decision thereon and the reasons for such decision.
(13) The Appellate Authority shall, where it is possible to do so, hear and decide every appeal within a period of one year from the date on which it isfiled:
488
108.(1) Subject to the provisions of section 121 and any rules made thereunder, the Revisional Authority may, on his motion, or upon information received by him or on request from the commissioner of
Powers of central t ll ax, ca for and examine the record of any
Revisional
proceedings, and if he considers that any decision or order Author: 4, passed under this Act or under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act by any officer subordinate to him is erroneous in so far as it is prejudicial to the interest of revenue and is illegal or improper or has not taken into account certain material facts, whether available at the time of issuance of the said order or not or in consequence of an observation by the Comptrolled and Auditor General of India, he may, if necessary, stay the operation of such decision or order for an opportunity of being heard and after making such further inquiry as may be necessary, pass such order, as he thinks just and proper, including enhancing or modifying or annulling the said decision or order.
Provided that where the issuance of order is stayed by an order of a court or Tribunal, the period of such stay shall be excluded in computing the period of one year.
(14) On disposal of the appeal, the Appellate Authority shall communicate the order passed by it to the appellant,respondent and to the adjudicating authority.
(15) A copy of the order passed by the Appellate Authority shall also be sent to the Commissioner or the designated by him in this behalf and the jurisdictional Commissioner of central tax or an authority designated by him in this behalf.
(16) Every order passed under this section shall, subjet to the provisions of section 108 or section 113 or section 117 or section 118 be final and binding on the parties.
(2) The Revisional Authority shall not exercise any power under sub- section (1), if-
489
(a) the order has been subject to an appeal under section 107 or section 112 or section 117 or section 118; or
(b) the period specified under sub-section (2) of section 107 has not yet expired or more than three years have expired after the passing of the decision or order soughtto be revised; or
(c) the order has already been taken for revision under this Section at an earlier stage; or
(d) the order has been passed in exercise of the powers under sub-section (1):
Provided that the Revisional Authority may pass an order under - section (1) on any point which has not been raised and decided in an appeal referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2), before the expiry of a period of one year from the date of the order in such appeal or before the expiry of a period of three years referred to in clause (b) of that sub- section, whichever is later:
(3)
Evert order passed in revision under sub-section (1) shall, subjection to the provisions of section 113 or section 117 or section 118, be final and binding on the parties;
(4) If the said decision or order involves an issue on which the Appellate Tribunal or the High Court has given its decision in some other proceedings and an appeal to the High Court or the Supreme Court against such decision of the Appellate Tribunal or the High Court is pending, the period spent between the date of the decision of the Appellate Tribunal and the date decision of the High Court or the date of the decision of the High Court and the date of the decision of the Supreme Court shall be excluded in computing the period of limitation referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (2) where proceedings for revision have been initiated by way of issue of a notice under this section.
(5)
Where the issuance of an order under sub-section (1) is stayed by the order of a court or Appellate Tribunal, the period of such stay shall be excluded in computing the period of limitation referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (2).
490
(6) For the purposes of this section, the term,-
(i) "record" shall include all records relating to any proceedings under this Act available at the time of examination by the Revisional Authority;
(ii) "decision" shall include intimation given by any officer lower in rank than the Revisional Authority.
109.(1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Goods and Services Tax Tribunal constituted under the CentralAppellate Goods and Services Tax Act shall be the Appellate Tribunal and
Benches
Tribunal for hearing appeals against the orders passed thereof by the Appellate Authority or the. Revisional Authority under this Act.
(2) The constitution and jurisdiction of the State Bench and the Area Benches located in the State shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 109 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act or the rules made thereunder.
110. The qualifications, appointments, salary and allowances, terms of office, resignation and remov of the President and President andMembers of Members of the State Bench andArea Benches shall be in Appellate accordance with the provisions of section 110 of the Tribunal, their
qualification
Central Goods andServices TaxAct.
appointment, conditions of services, etc.
111.(1)
5 of 1908
(2)
5 of 1908 The Appellate Tribunal shall not, while disposing of any proceedings before it or an appeal before it, be bound by the procedure laid down in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and subject to the other provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder, the Appellate Tribunal shall have power to regulate its own procedure.
Procedure
before
Appellate
Tribunal.
The Appellate Tribunal shall, for the purposes of discharging its functions under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:-
491
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiringthe discovery and production of documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) subject to the provisions of section 123 and 124 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, requisitioning any public record or document or a copy of such record or document from any office;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
(f) dismissing a representation for default or deciding itex parte;
(g) setting aside any order of dismissal of any representation for default or any order passed by it ex parte; and
(h) any other matterwhich may be prescribed.
(3) Any order made by the Appellate Tribunal may be enforced by it in the same manner as if it were a decree made by a court in a suit pending therein, and it shall be lawful for the Appellate Tribunal to send for execution of its orders to the court within the local limits of whose jurisdiction,-
(a) in the case of an order against a company, the registered office of the company is situated; or
(b) in case of an order against any other person, the person concerned voluntarily resides or carries on business or personally works for gain.
(4) All proceedings before the Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the meaning of sections 193 and 228, and for the purposes of section 196 of the Indian Penal Code, and the 45 of 1860 Appellate Tribunal shall be deemed to be civil court for the purposes of 2 of 1974 section 195 and Chapter XXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 112.(1) Any person aggrieved by an order passed against him under Section 107 or section 108 of this Act or the Central Appeals to
Goods and Services Tax Act may appeal to the Appellate
Appellate
Tribunal against such order within three months from the date on which the order sought to be appealed against is communicated to the person preferring the appeal.
492
(2) The Appellate Tribunal may, in its discretion, refuse to admit any such appeal where the tax or input tax credit involved or the difference in tax or input tax credit involved or the amount of fine, fee or penalty determined by such order, does not exceed fiftythousand rupees.
(3) The Commissioner may, on his own motion or upon request from the commissionerof central tax call for and examine the record of any order passed by the Apellate authority or the Revisional authority under this act or under the central Goods and Services Tax act for the purpose of satisfying himself as to the legality or propriety of the said order and may, by order, direct any officer subordinate to him to apply to the Appeillate Tribunal witin six months from the date on which the said order has been passed for determination of such points arising out of the said order as maybe secified by the commissioner in his order.
(4) Wherein pursuance of an order under sub-section (3) the authorised officer make an application to the Appellate Tribunal such application shall be dealt with by the Appellate Tribunal as if it were an appeal made against the order under sub section (11) of section 107 or under section (1) of section 108 and the provisions of this Act shall apply to such application, as they apply in relation to appeals field under sub- section (1).
(5) On receipt of notice that an appeal has been preferred under this section, the party against whom the appeal has been preferred may, notwithstanding that he may not have appealed against such order or any part thereof, file, within forty five days of the receipt of the notice, a memorandum of cross-objections, verified in the prescribed manner, against any part of the order appealed against and such memorandum shall be disposed of by the Appellate Tribunal, as if it were an appeal presented within the time specified in sub-section (1).
(6) The Appellate Tribunal may admit an appeal within three months after the expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (1), or permit the filing of a memorandum of cross-objections within forty five days after the expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (5), if it is satisfied thatthere was sufficient cause for not presenting it within that period.
493
(7) An appeal to the Appellate tribunal shall be in such form, verified in such manner and shall be accompanied by such fee, as may be prescribed.
(8) No appeal shall be filed under sub-section (1), unless the appellant has paid-
(a) in full, such part of the amount of the tax, interest, fine, fee and penalty arising from the impugned order, as is admitted by him, and
(b) a sum equal to twenty per cent, of the remaining amount of tax in dispute, in addition to the amount paid under sub-section (6) of the section 107, arising from the said order, in relation to which the appeal has been filed.
(9) Where the appellant has paid the amount as per sub-section (8), the recovery proceedings for the balance amount shall be deemed to be stayedtill the disposal of the appeal.
(10) Every application made before the appellate Tribunal,-
(a) in an appeal for rectification of error or for any other purpose; or
(b) for restoration of an appeal or an application, shall be accompanied by such fees as may be prescribed.
113.(l) The appellate Tribunal may, after giving the parties to the appeal an opportunity of being heard, pass such orders thereon as it Orders of
thinks fit, confirming, modifying or annulling the decision Appellate or order appealed against or may refer the case back to the Tribunal. Appellate Authority, or the Revisional Authority or to the original adjudicating authority, with such directions as it may think fit, for a fresh adjudication or decision after taking additional evidence, if necessary.
(2) The appellate Tribuni may, if sufficient cause is shown, at any stage of hearing of an appeal, grant time to the parties or any of them and adjourn the hearing of the appeal for reasons to be recorded in writing:
494
Provided that no such adjournment shall be granted more than three times to a party during hearing of the appeal.
(3) The Appellate Tribunal may amend any order passed by it under sub- section (1) so as to rectify any error apparent on the face of the record, if such error is noticed by it on its own accord, or is brought to its notice by the Commissioner or the Commissioner of central tax or the other partyto the appeal within a period of three months from the date of the order:
Provided that no amendment which has the effect of enhancing an assessment or reducing a refund or input tax credit or otherwise increasing the liability of the other party, shall be made under this sub- section, unless the party has been given an opportunity of being heard.
(4) The Appellate tribunal shall, as far as possible, hear and decide every appeal within a period of one year from the date on which it is filed.
(5) The Appellate Tribunal shall send a copy of every order passed under this section to the appellate authority or the Revisional Authority, or the original adjudicating authority, as the case may be, the appellant and the Commissioner or the jurisdiction Commissioner of central tax.
(6) Save as provided in section 117 or section 118, orders passed by the Appellate Tribunal on an appeal shall be final and binding on the parties.
114. The State President shall exercise such financial and administrative powers over the State Bench and Area Benches of the Appellate Tribunal in a State, as maybe prescribed:
Financial and
administrative
powers of State
Presia'nt.
Provided that the State President shall have the authority to delegate such of his financial and administrative powers as he may think fit to any other Member or any officer of the State Bench or Area Benches, subject to the condition that such Member or officer shall, while exercising such delegated powers, continue to act under the direction, control and supervision of the State President.
495
115. where an amount paid by the appellant under sub- section (6) of section 107 or sub-section (8) of section 112 is required to be refunded consequent to any order of the Appellate Authority or of the Appellate Tribunal, interest at the rate specified under section for 56 shall be payable in respect of such refund from the date of payment of the amount tillthe date of refundof such amount.
116. (1) Any person who is entitled or required to appear before an officer appointed under this Act, or the Appellate Authority or the Appellate Tribunal in connection with any
proceedings under this Act, may, otherwise than when required under this Act to appear personally for
examination on oath or affirmation, subject to the other provisions of this section, appear by an authorised representative.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the expression "authorised representative" shall mean a person authorised by the person referred to in sub-section (1) to appear on his behalf, being- his relative or regular employee; or
an advocate who is entitled to practice in any court in India, and who has not been debarred from practicing before any court in India; or any chartered accountant, a cost accountant or a company secretary, who holds a certificate of practice and who has not been debarred from practice; or
(d) a retired officer of the Commercial Tax Department of any State Government or Union territory or of the Board who, during his service under the Government, had worked in a post not below the rank than of a Group-B Gazetted officerfora period of not less than two years:
Provided that such officer shall not be entitled to appear before any proceedings under this Act for a period of one year from the date of his retirement or resignation; or
Interest on refund of amount paid for admission of appeal.
Appeareance by authorised representative
496
(c) any person who has been authorised to act as a goods and services tax practioner on behalf of the concerned registered person.
(3) No person,-
(a) who has been dismissed or removed from Government service; or
(b) who is convicted of an offence connected with any proceedings under this Act, the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act or the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act, passed by a State Legislature dealing with the imposition of taxes on sale of goods or supply of goods or services or both; or
(c) who is found guilty of misconduct by the prescribed authority;
(d) who has been adjudged as an insolvent, Shall be qualified to represent any person under sub-section (1)-
(i) for all times in case of persons referred to in clauses (a), (b) and (c); and
(ii) for the period during which the insolvency continues in the case of a person referred to in clause (d)
(4) Any person who has been disqualified under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act or the Goods and Services Tax Act of any other State or the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Axt shall be deemed to be disqualified under this Act.
117.(1) Any person aggrieved by any order passed by the State Bench or Area Benches of the Appellate Tribunal may file Appeal to an appeal to the High court and the High Court may admit High Court such appeal, if it is satisfied that the case involves a substantial question of law.
(2) An appeal under sub-section (1) shall be filed within a period of one hundred and eighty days from the date on which the order appealed against is received by the aggrieved person and it shall be in such form, verified in such manner as may be prescribed:
497
Provided that the High Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period if it is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not filing it within such period.
(3)
Where the High Court is satisfied that a substantial question of law is involved in any case, it shall formulate that question and the appeal shall be heard only on the question so formulated, and the respondents shall, at the hearing of the appeal, be allowed to argue that the case does not involve such question:
Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be deemed to take away or abridge the power of the court to hear, for reasons to be recorded, the appeal on any other substantial question of law not formulated by it, if it is satisfied that the case involves such question.
(4) The High Court shall decide the question of law so formulated and deliver such judgement thereon containing the grounds on which such decision is founded and may award such cost as it deems fit,
(5)
The High Court may determine any issue which-
(a) has not been determined bythe State Bench orArea Benches;
(b) has been wrongly determined by the State Bench or Area Benches, by reason of a decision on such question of law as herein referred to in sub- section (3).
(6) Where an appeal has been filed before the High Court, it shall be heard by a Bench of not less than two judges of the High Court, and shall be decided in accordance with the opinion of such judges or the majority, if any, of such Judges.
(7) Where there is no such majority, the Judges shall state the point of law upon which they differ and the case shall, then, be heard upon that point only, by one or more of the other Judges of the High Court and such point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority of the Judges who have heard the case including those who first heard it.
498
(8) Where the High Court delivers a judgement in an appeal filed before it under this section, effect shall be given to such judgement by either side on the basis of a certified copy ofthejudgement.
(9) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code of 5 of 1908 Civil Procedure, 1908, relating to appeals to the High Court shall, as far as maybe, apply in the case of appeals under this section. 118.(1) An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court
Appeal Supreme Court.
(a) from any order passed by the National Bench or Regional Benches of the Appellate Tribunal; or
(b) from any judgement or order passed by the High Court in an appeal made under section 117 in any case which, on its own motion or on an application made by or on behalf of the party aggrieved, immediately after passing of the judgement or order, the High Court certifies to be fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court.
(2) The provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, relating to appeals to the Supreme Court shall, so far as may be, apply in the case of 5 of 1908 appeals under this section as they apply in the case of appeals from decrees of a High Court.
(3) Where the judgement of the High Court is varied or reversed in the appeal, effect shall be given to the order of the Supreme Court in the manner provided in section 117 in the case ofajudgement of the High Court.
119. Notwithstanding that an appeal has been preferred to
Sums due to be
the High Court or the Supreme Court, sums due to the paid Government as a result of an order passed by the notwithstanding
National or Regional Benches of the Appellate Tribunal
appeal, etc.
under sub-section (1) of section 113 or an order passed by the State Bench or Area Benches of the Appellate Tribunal under sub-section (1) of section 113 or an order passed by the High Court under section 117, as the case may be, shall be payable in accordance with the order so passed.
499
120. (1) The Commissioner may, on the recommendations of the
Appeal not to
Council, from time to time, issue orders or instructions or be filed
directions fixing in such monetary limits, as he may deem certain cases.
fit, for the purposes of regulating the filing of appeal or application by the officer of the State tax under the provisions of this Chapter.
(2) Where, in pursuance of the orders or instructions or directions issued under sub-section (1), the officer of the State tax has not filed an appeal or application against any decision or order passed under the provisions of this Act, it shall not preclude such officer of the State tax from filing appeal or application in any other case involving the same or similar issues or questions of law.
(3) Notwithstanding the fact that no appeal or application has been filed by the officer of the State tax pursuant to the orders or instructions or directions issued under sub-section (1), no person, being a party in appeal or application shall contend that the officer of the State tax has acquiesced in the decision on the disputed issue by not filing an appesal or application.
(4) The Appellate Tribunal or court hearing such appeal or application shall have regard to the circumstances under which appeal or application was not filed by the officer of the State tax in pursuance of the orders or instructions or directions issued under sub-section (1).
121. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any provisions of this Act, no appeal shall lie against any decision taken Non appealable
or order passed by an officer of State tax if such decision decisions
taken or order passed relates to any one or more of the and orders- following matters, namely:-
(a) an order of the Commissioner or other authority empowered to direct transfer of proceedings from one officerto anotherofficer; or
(b) an order pertaining to the seizure or retention of books of account, registerand other documents; or
(c) an order sanctioning prosecution underthis Act; or
(d) an order passed under section 80.
500
CHAPTER XIX
OFFENCES AND PENALTY
122.(1) Where a taxable person who-
Penalty for Certain offences.
(i) supplies any goods or services or both without of any invoice or issues an incorrect orfalse invoice with regard to any such supply;
(ii) issues any invoice or bill without supply of goods or services or both in violation of the provisions of this Act orthe rules made thereunder;
(iii) collects any amount as tax but fails to pay the same to the Government beyond a period of three months from the date on which such payment becomes due;
(iv) collects any tax in contravention of the provisions of this Act but fails to pay the same to the Government beyond a period of three months from the date on which such payment becomes due;
(v) fails to deduct the tax in accordance with the provisions of sub-section
(1) of section 51, or deducts an amount which is less than the amount required to be deducted underthe said sub-section, or where he fails to pay to the Government under sub-section (2) thereof, the amount deducted as tax;
(vi) fails to collect tax in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 52, or collects an amount which is less than the amount required to be collected under the said sub-section or where he fails to pay to the Government the amount collected as tax under sub-section
(3) of section 52;
(vii) takes or utilizes input tax credit without actual receipt of goods or services or both either fully or partially, in contravention of the provisions of this Actor the rules made thereunder;
(viii) fraudulently obtains refund of tax under this Act;
501
(ix) takes or distributes input tax credit in contravention of section 20, or the rules made thereunder;
(x) falsifies or substitutes financial records or procedures fake accounts or documents or furnishes any false information or return with an intention to evade payment of tax due under this Act;
(xi) is liable to be registered under this Act but fails to obtain registration;
(xii) furnishes any false information with regard to registration particulars, either atthe time of applyingfor registration, or subsequently;
(xiii) obstructs or prevents any officer in discharge of his duties under this Act;
(xiv) transport any taxable goods without the cover of documents as may be specified in this behalf;
(xv) suppresses his turnover leading to evasion of tax under this Act;
(xvi) fails to keep, maintain or retain books of account and other documents in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder;
(xvii) fails to furnish information or documents called for by an officer in accordance with the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder or furnishes false information or documents during any proceedings underthis Act;
(xviii) supplies, transports or stores any goods which he has reasons to believe are liable to confiscation under this Act;
(xix) issues any invoice or document by using the registration number of another registered person;
(xx) tampers with, or destroys any material evidence or documents;
502
(xxi) disposes off or tampers with any goods thsat have been detained, seized, or attached under this Act, He shall be liable to pay a penalty of ten thousand rupees or an amount equivalent to the tax evaded or the tax not deducted under section 51 or short deducted or deducted but not paid to the Government or tax not collected under section 52 or short collected or collected but not paid to the Government or input tax credit availed of or passed on or distributed irregularly, or the refund claimed fraudulently, whichever is higher.
(2) Any registered person who supplies any goods or services or both on which any tax has not been paid or short-paid or erroneously refunded, or where the input tax credit has been wrongly availed or utilized,-
(a) for any reason, other than the reason of fraud or any wilful misstatement or suppression of facts to evade tax, shall be liable to a penalty of ten thousand rupees or ten per cent, of the tax due from such person, whichever is higher;
(b) for reason of fraud or any wilful misstatement or suppression of facts to evade tax, shall be liable to a penalty of ten thousand rupees or of the tax due from such person, whichever is higher;
(3) Anypersonwho-
(a) aids or abets any of the offences specified in clauses (i) to (xxi) of sub- section (1);
(b) acquires possession of, or in any way concerns himself in transporting, removing, depositing, keeping, concealing, supplying, or purchasing or in any other manner deals with any goods which he knows or, has reasons to believe are liable to confiscation under this Act or the roles made thereunder;
(c) receives or is in any way concerned with the supply of, or in any other manner deals with any supply of services which he knows or has reasons to believe in contravention of any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder;
503
(d) fails to appear before the officer of State tax, when issued with a summon for appearance to give evidence or produce a document in a inquiry;
(e) fails to issue invoice in accordance with the provisions of this Actor the rules made thereunder or fails to account for an invoice in his books of account, Shall be liable to a penalty which may extent to twenty five thousand rupees.
123. If a person who is required to furnish an information return Penalty for
under Section 150 fails to do so within the period specified failure to in the notice Issued under sub-section (3) thereof, the furnish proper officer may direct, that such person shall be liable to informationreturn. pay a penalty of one hundred rupees for each day of the
period during which the failure to furnish such return continues:
Provided that the penalty imposed under this section shall not exceed five thousand rupees.
124. If any person required to furish any information or return Fine for under Section 151,-
failure to furnish
(a) without reasonable cause fails to furnish such information statistics.
or return as may be required underthat section, or
(b) wilfully furnishes or causes to furnish any information or return which he knows to be false, he shall be punishable with a fine which may extent to ten thousand rupees and in case of a continuing offences to a further fine which may extend to one hundred rupees for each day after the first day during which the offence continues subject to a maximum limit of twenty five thousand rupees.
125. Any person, who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or Any rules made thereunder for which no penalty is separately Provided for in this Act, shall be liable to a penalty which may extent to twenty five thousand rupees. General
penalty
504
126.(1) No officer underthis Act shall impose any penaltyfor minor General
breaches of tax regulations or procedural requirements disciplines
and in particular, any omission or mistake in related to
documentation which is easily rectifiable and made
penalty.
without fraudulent intent or gross negligence. Explanation.- For the purpose of this sub-section,-
(a) a breach shall be considered a "minor breach" if the amount of tax involved is less than five thousand rupees;
(b) an omission or mistake in documentation shall be considered to be easily rectifiable if the same is an error apparent on the face of record.
(2) The penalty imposed under this Act shall depend on the facts and circumstances of each case and shall commensurate with the degree and severity of the breach.
(3) No penalty shall be imposed on any person without giving him an opportunity of being heard.
(4) The officer under this Act shall while imposing penalty in an order for a breach of any law, regulation or procedural requirement, specify the nature of the breach and the applicable law, regulation or procedure under which the amount of penaltyfor the breach has been specified.
5) When a person voluntarily discloses to an officer under this Act the circumstances of a breach of the tax law regulation or procedural requirement prior to the discovery of the breach by the officer under this Act, the proper officer may consider this fact as a mitigating factor when quantifying a penaltyforthat person.
(6) The provisions of this section shall not apply such cases where the penalty specified under this Act is either a fixed sum or expressed as a fixed percentage.
505
127. Where the proper officer is of the view that a person is liable to a Penalty and the same is not covered under any proceedings under section 62 or section 63 or section 64 or section 73 or section or 74 section 129 or section 130, he may issue an order levying such penalty after giving a reasonable opportunity of being head to such person.
Power to impose penalty in certain cases.
128. The Government mauy, by notification, waive in part or Power to
full, any penalty referred to in section 122 or section 123 waive penalty
or section 125 or any late fee referred to in section 47 for or fee or bath
such class of taxpayers and under such mitigating circumstances as may be specified therein on the recommendations of the Council.
129.(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where any person transports any goods or stores any goods while they Detention,
are in transit in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, all such goods and conveyance used as a means of transport for carrying the conveyances seizure and
goods and
release of
said goods and documents relating to such goods and conveyance shall be liable to detention or seizure and after detention or seizure, shall be released;-
(a) on payment of the applicable tax and penalty equal to one hundred per cent, of the tax payable on such goods and, in case of exempted goods, on payment of an amount equal to two percent of the value of goods or twenty five thousand rupees, whichever is less, where the owner of the goods comes forward for payment of such tax and penalty; on payment of the applicable tax and penalty equal to fifty percent, of the tax payable on such goods and, in case of exempted goods, on payment of an amount equal to fifty per cent of the value of goods or twenty five thousand rupees, whichever is ICSS, wherethe ownerof the goods does not comes forward for payment of such tax and penalty;
(c) upon furnishing a security equivalent to the amount payable under clause (a) orclause (b) in such form and manneras maybe prescribed.
506
Provided that no such goods or conveyance shall be detained or sezied without serving and an order of detention or seizure on the person transporting the goods.
(2) The provisions of sub-section (6) of section 67 shall,mutatis mutandis, apply for detention and seizure of goods and conveyances.
(3) The proper officer detaining or seizing goods or conveyances shall issue a notice specifying the tax and penalty payable and thereafter, pass an order for payment of tax and penalty under clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c).
(4) No tax, interest or penalty shall be determined under sub-section (3) without givingthe person concerned an opportunity of being heard.
(5) On payment of amount referred in sub-section (1), all proceedings in respect of the notice specified in sub-section (3) shall be deemed to be concluded.
(6) Where the person transporting any goods or the owner of the goods fails to the paythe amount of tax and penalty as provided in sub-section
(1) within seven days of such detention or seizure, further proceedings shall be initiated in accordance with the provisions of section 130:
Provided that where the detained or seized goods are perishable or hazardous in nature or are likely to depreciate in value with passage of time, the said period of seven days may be reduced by the proper officer.
130. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, if any person- (i)
supplies or receives any goods in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder with Intent to evade payment of tax; or
Confiscation of
goods or
conveyances
and levy of
penalty
(ii) does not account for any goods on which he is liable to pay tax under this Act; or
507
supplies any goods liable to tax under this Act without having applied for registration; or
(iv) contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder with intent to evade payment of tax; or
(v) uses any conveyance as a means of transport for carriage of goods in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder unless the owner of the conveyance proves that it was so used without the knowledge or connivance of the owner himself, his agent, if any, and the person in charge of the conveyance, Then, all goods or conveyances shall be liable to confiscation and the person shall be liable to penalty under section 122.
(2) Where confiscation of any goods or conveyance is authorised by the Act, the officer adjudging it shall give to the owner of the goods an option to pay in lieu of confiscation, such fine as the said officer think fit:
Provided that such fine leviable shall not exceed the market value of the goods confiscated, less the tax chargeable thereon:
Provided further that aggregate of such fine and penality leviable shall not be less than the amount of penalty livable under sub-section (1) of section 129:
Provided also that where any such conveyance is used for the carriage of the goods or passengers for hire, the owner of the conveyance shall be given an option to pay in lieu of the confiscation of the conveyance a fine equal to the tax payable on the goods beingtransported thereon.
(3) Where any fine in lieu of confiscation of goods or conveyance is imposed under sub-section (2), the owner of such goods or conveyance or the person referred to in sub-section (1), shall, in addition, be liable to any tax, penalty and charges payable in respect of such goods or conveyance.
(4) No order for confiscation of goods or conveyance or for imposition of penalty shall be issued without giving the person an opportunity of being heard.
508
(5) Where anygoods or conveyance are confiscated under this Act, the title of such goods or conveyance shall thereupon vest in the Government.
(6) The prope officer adjudging confiscation shall take and hold possession of the things confiscated and every officer of Police, on the requisition of such proper officer, shall assist him in taking and holding such possession.
(7) The proper officer may, after satisfying himself that the confiscated goods or conveyance are not required in any other proceedings under this Act and aftergiving reasonable time not exceeding three months to pay fine in lieu of confiscation, dispose of such goods or conveyance and deposit the sale proceeds thereof with the Government.
131. Without prejudice to the provisions contained in the Code confiscation of criminal Procedure, 1973, no confiscated made or of penalty not
2 of 1974
to terfer
penalty imposed under the prov
.
isions of this Act or the !' e with other
rules made thereunder shall prevent the infliction of any punishments
other punishment to which the person affected thereby is liable under the provisions of this Act or under any other Jaw for the time being in force.
132.(1) Whoever commits any of the following offences, namely:-
Punishment for certain offences
(a) supplies any goods or services or both without issue of any invoice, in violiation of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, with the intention to evade tax;
(b) issues any invoice or bill without supply of goods or services or both in viotiation of the provisions of this Act, or the rules made thereunder leading to wrongful availment or utilisation of input tax credit or refund of tax;
(c) avail input tax credit using such invoice or bill referred to in clause (b);
(d) collects any amount as tax but fails to pay the same to the Government beyond a period of three months from the date on which such payment becomes due;
509
(e) evades tax, fraudulently avail input tax credit or fraudulently obtains refund and where such offence is not covered under clauses (a) to (d);
(f) falsifies or substitutes financial records or produces fake accounts or documents or furnishes any false information with an intention to evade payment of taxdue underthis Act;
obstructs or prevents any officer in the discharge of his duties under this Act;
(h) acquires possession of, or in any way concerns himself in transporting, removing, depositing, keeping, concealing. Supplying, purchasing or in any other manner deals with, any goods which he knows or has reasons to believe are liable to confiscation under this Act or the rules made thereunder;
(i) receives or is in any way concerned with the supply of, or in any other manner deals with any supply of services which he knows or has reasons to believe are in contravention of any provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder;
(j) tampers with or destroys any material evidence or documents;
(k) fails to supply any information which he is required to supply under this Act or the rules made thereunder or (unless with a reasonable belief, the burden of proving which shall be upon him, that the information supplied by him is true) supplies false information; or
(I)
attempts to commit, or abets the commission of any of the offences mentioned in clauses (a)to (k) of this section, Shall be punishable-
(i) in case where the amount of tax evaded or the amount of input tax credit wrongly availed or utilized or the amount of refund wrongly taken exceeds five hundred lakh rupees, with imprisonment for a term which may extent to five years and with fine;
(ii) in cases where the amount of tax evaded or the amount of input tax credit wrongly availed or utilized or the amount of refund wrongly taken exceeds two hundred lakh rupees, bout does not exceed five hundred lakh rupees, with imprisonment for a term which may extent to five years and with fine;
510
(iii) in the case of any other offence where the amount of tax evaded or the amount of input tax credit wrongly availed or utilized or the amount of refund wrongly taken exceeds one hundred lakh rupees, but not exceed two hundred lakh rupees, with imprisonment for a term which may extent to one years and with fine;
(iv) in case where he commits of abets the commission of an offence specified in clause (f) or clause (g) or clause (j), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extent to six months or with fine or with both.
(2) Where any person convicted of an offence under this section is again convicted of an offence under this section, then, he shall be punishable for the second and for every subsequent offence with imprisonment fora term which may extend to five years and with fine.
(3) The imprisonment referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of sub-section
(1) and sub-section (2) shall, in the absence of special and adequate reasons to the contrary to be recorded in the judgement of the Court, be for a term not less than six months.
(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under this Act, except the offences referred to in sub-section (5) shall be non-cognizable and bailable.
(5) The offences specified in clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) or clause
(d) of sub-section (1) and punishable under clause (i) of that sub- section shall be cognizable and non-bailable.
(6) A person shall not be prosecuted for any offence under this section except with the previous sanction of the Commissioner. Explanation,- For the purposes of this section, the term "tax"
Liability of
shall include the amount of tax evaded or the amount of officers and input tax credit wrongly availedor utilised or refund certainother wrongly taken under the provisions of this Act, the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, and cess levied under the Goods and Services Tax (compensation to States) Act.
511
133. (1) Where any person engaged in connection with the collection of statistics under section 151 or compilation or computerization thereof or if any officer of State tax having access to information specified under sub-section
tl) of section 150, or if any person engaged in connection with provision of service on the common portal or the agent of common portal, wilfully discloses any information orthe contents of any return furnished under this Act or rules made thereunder otherwise than in execution of his duties under the said sections or for the purposes of prosecution for an offence under this Act or under any other Act for the time being in force, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to twenty five thousand rupees, or with both.
(2) Any person
(a) who is a Government servant not be prosecuted for any offence under this section except with the previous sanction of the Government;
(b) who is not a Government servant shall not prosecuted for any offence under this section except with the previous sanction of the Commissioner,
134. No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable
Cognizance
under this Act or the rules made thereunder except with of offences. the previous sanction of the Commissioner, and no court inferior to that of a Magistrate of the First Class, shall try any such offence.
135. In any prosecution for an offence under this Act which Presumption
requires a culpable mental state on the part of the of culpable accused, the court shall presume the existence of such mental state. mental state but it shall be a defcence for the accused to prove the fact that he had no such mental state with respect to the act charged as an offence in that prosecution.
512
Explanation.- For the purposes of this section,-
(I)
the expression "culpable mental state" includes intention, motive, knowledge of a fact, and belief in, or reason to believe, a fact.
(ii) a fact is said to be proved only when the court believes it to exist beyond reasonable doubt and not merely when its existence is established by a preponderance of probability.
136. A statement made and signed by a person on appearance in response to any summons issued under this section 70 during the course of any inquiry or proceedings underthis Act shall be relevant, for the purpose of proving, in any prosecution for an offence under this Act, the truth of the facts which it contains, -
(a) when the person who made the statement is dead or cannot be found, or is incapable of giving evidence, or is kept out of the way by the adverse party, or whose presence cannot be obtained without an amount of delay or expense which, under the circumstances of Lhe case, the court considers unreasonable; or
(b) when the person who made the statement is examined as a witness in the case before the court and the court is of the opinion that, having regard to the drcumsances of the case, the statement should be admitted in evaence n tne interest of Justice.
137. (1) Where an offence comrnftted by a person under this Act is a company, even/ was responsible to, the company for the Off, eces by
Ca:'rpwies
conduct of business of the company, as weil as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consentor
Relevancy of statements under certain circumstances.
513
connivance of, or is attributable to any negligence on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(3) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a taxable person being a partnership firm or a Limited Liability Partnership or a Hindu Undivided Family or a trust, the partner or karta or managing trustee shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly and the provisions of sub-section (2) shall mutatis mutandis apply to such persons.
(4) Nothing contained in this section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he had exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
Explanation For the purposes of this section,-
"company" means a body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(ii) "director' in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm. 138.(1) Any offence under this Act may, either before or after the institution of prosecution, be compounded by the Compounding
2011974 Commissioner on payment, by the person accused of the
of offences.
offence, to the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, of such compounding amount in such manner as maybe prescribed:
Provided that nothing contained in this section shall apply to-
(a) a person who has been allowed to compound once in respect of any of the offences specified in clauses (a) to (f) of sub-section (1) of section 132 and the offences specified in clause (a) to (f) of the said sub- section;
514
(b) a person who has been allowed to compound once in respect of any offence, other than those in clause (a), under this Act or under the provisions of any State Goods and Services Tax Actor the Central Goods and Services Tax Act or the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Act or the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act in respect of supplies of value exceedingone crore rupees;
(c) a person who has been accused of committing an offence under this Act which is also an offence under any other law for the time being in force;
(d) a person who has been convicted for an offence under this Act by a court;
(e) a person who has been accused of confirming an offence specified in clause (g) or clause (j) or clause (k) of sub-section (1) of section 132; and
(f) any other class of persons or offences as may be prescribed:
Provided further that any compounding allowed under the provisions of this section shall not affect the proceedings, if any, instituted under any other law;
Provided also that compounding shall be allowed only after making payment of tax, interest and penalty involved in such offences.
(2) The amount for compounding of offences under this section shall be such as may prescribed, subject to the minimum amount not being less than ten thousand rupees or fifty per cent, of the tax involved, whichever is higher, and the maximum amount not being less than thirty thousand rupees or one hundred and fifty per cent, of the tax whichever is higher.
(3) On payment of such compounding amount as may be determined by the Commissioner, no further proceedings shall be initiated under this Act against the accused person in respect of the same offence and any criminal proceedings, if already initiated in respect of the said offence, shall stand abated.
5.1.5
153
140.(1) A registered person, other than a person opting to pay tax under section 10, shall be entitled to take, in his electronic credit Transitional
ledger, credit of the amount of value Added Tax, if any, arrangements carried forward in the return relating to the period ending for input tax with the day immediately proceedings the appointed day, credit. furnished by him under the existing law in such manner as maybe prescribed:
CHAPTER XX
TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
139.(1) On and from the appointed day, every person registered under any of the existing laws and having a valid Permanent Account Number shall be issued a certificate of registration on Migration
provisional basis, Subject to such conditions and in such of existing
taxpayers.
form and manner as may be prescribed, which unless replaced by a final certificate of registration under sub-section (2), shall be liable to be cancelled if the conditions so prescribed are not complied with.
(2) The final certificate of registration shall be granted in such form and manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.
(3) The certificate of registration issued to a person under sub-section (1) shall be deemed to have not been issued if the said registration is cancelled in pursuance of an application filed by such person that he was not liable to registration under section 22 or section 24. Provided that the registered person shall not be allowed to take credit in the following circumstances, namely:-
(i) where the said amount of credit is not admissible as input tax credit underthis Act; or
(ii) Where he has not furnished all the returns required under the existing law forthe period of six months immediately precedingthe appointed date:
516
74 of 1956
Provided furt her that so much of the said credit as is attributable to any claim related to section 3, sub-section (3) of section 5, Section 6, section 6A or sub-section (8) of section 8 of the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 which is not substantiated in the manner, and within the period, prescribed in rule 12 of the CentralSales Tax (Registration and Turnover) Rules,1 957 shall not be eligible to be credited to the electronic credit ledger:
Provided also that an amount equivalent to the credit specified in the second proviso shall be refunded under the existing law when the said claims are substantiated in the manner prescribed in rule 12 of the CentralSale Tax (Registration and Turnover) Rules, 1957. (2)) A registered person, other than a person opting to pay tax under section 10, shall be entitled to take, in his electronic credit ledger, credit of the amount of value Added Tax, if any, carried forward in the return relating to the period ending with the day immediately Proceedings the appointed day, furnished by him under the existing law in such manner as may be prescribed:
Provided that the registered person shall not be allowed to take credit Unless the said credit is not admissible as input tax credit under the existing law ans is also admissible as input tax credit under this Act; or Explanation- For the purposes of this section, the expression "unveiled input tax credit" means the amount that remains after subtracting the amount of inputtax credit already availed in respect of capital goods by the taxable person under the existing law from the aggregate amount of input tax credit to which the said person was entitled in respect of the said capital goods under the existing law.
(3) A registered person, who was not liable to be registered under the existing law or who was engaged in the sale of exempted goods or tax free goods, by whatever name called, or goods which have suffered tax at the first point of their sale in the State and the subsequent sales of which are not subject to tax in the State under the existing law but which are not liable to tax under this Act or where the person was
517
entitled to the credit to take, in his electronic credit ledger, credit of the value added tax in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock on the appointed day subject to the following conditions namely:
(i) such inputs or goods are used or intended to be used for makingtaxable supplies underthis Act;
(ii) the said registered person is eligible for input tax credit on such inputs under this Act;
(iii) the said registered person is in possession of invoice or other prescribed documents evidencing payment of tax under the existing law in respect of such inputs; and
(iv) such invoices or other prescribed documents were issued not earlier than twelve months immediately preceding the appointed day:
Provided that where a registered person other than a manufacturer or a supplier of services, is not in possession of an invoice or any other documents evidencing payments of tax in respect of inputs, then, such registered person shall, subject to such conditions, limitations and safeguards as may be prescribed, including that the said taxable person shall pass on the benefit of such credit by way of reduced prices to the recipient, be allowed to take credit at such rate and in such manner as may be prescribed.
(4) A registered person, who Is engaged in the sale of taxable goods as well as exempted goods or tax free goods, by whatever name called, under the existing law but which are liable to tax under this Act, shall be entitled to take, in his electronic credit ledger,-
(a) the amount of credit of the value added tax, if any, carried forward in a return furnished under the existing law by him in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1); and
(b) the amount of credit of the value added tax, if any, in respect of inputs
518
held in stock and inputs contained in semi-finished or finished goods held in stock on the appointed day, relating to such exempted goods or tax free goods, by whatever name called, in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (3).
(5) A registered person shall be entitled to take, in his electronic credit ledger, credit of value added tax, if any, in respect of inputs received on or after the appointed day but the tax in respect of which has been paid by the supplier under the existing law, subject to the condition that the invoice or any other tax paying document of the same was recorded in the books of account of such person within a period of thirty days from the appointed day;
Provided that the period of thirty days may, on sufficient cause being shown, be extended by the Commissioner for a further period not exceedingthirty days:
Provided further that the said registered person shall furnish a statement, in such manner as may be prescribed, in respect of credit that has been taken under this sub-section.
(6) A registered person, who was either payingtax at a fixed rate or paying a fixed amount in lieu of the tax payable under the existing law shall be entitled to take, in his electronic credit ledger, credit of value added tax in respect of inputs held in stock and inputs contained day subject to the following conditions, namely:-
(i) such inputs or goods are used or intended to be used for making taxable supplies underthis Act;
(ii) the said registered person is not payingtax under section 10;
(iii) the said registered person is eligible for input tax credit on such inputs under this Act;
(iv) the said registered person is in possession of invoice or other prescribed documents evidencing payment of tax under the existing law in respect of inputs; and
519
(v) such invoices or other prescribed documents were issued not earlier than twelve months immediately preceding the appointed day.
(7) The amount of credit under sub-sections (3), (4) and (6) shall be calculated in such manner as maybe prescribed.
141.(l) Where any inputs received at a place of business had
been despatched as such or despatched after being Transitional provisions
partially processed to a job worker for further relating to
processing, testing, repair, reconditioning or any other Job work purpose in accordance with the provisions of existing law prior to the appointed day and such inputs are returned to the said place on or after the appointed day, no tax shall be payable if such inputs, after completion of the job work or otherwise, are returned to the said place w iin six months from the appointed day:
Provided that the period of six months may, on sufficient Cause being shown, be extended by the Commissioner for a further period not exceeding two n onths:
Provided further that if such inputs are not returned within the Period specified in this sub-section, the input tax credit shall be liable to be recovered in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) of sub-section
(8) of section 142.
(2) Where any semi-finished goods had been despatched from the place of business to any other premises for carrying out certain manufacturing processes in accordance with theprovisions of existing law prior to the appointed day and such goods (hereafter in this sub-section referred to as " the said goods") are returned to the said place on or after the appointed day, no tax shall be payable if the said goods, after undergoing manufacturing processes or otherwise, are returned to the said place within six months from the appointed day:
Provided that the period of six months may, on sufficient Cause being shown, be extended by thr commissioner for a Further period not exceeding two months:
520
Provided further that if the said goods are not returned within A period specified in this sub-section, the input tax credit shall be liable to be recovered in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) of sub-section
(8) of section 142:
Provided also that the person despatching the goods may, in Accordance with the provisions of the existing law, transfer the said goods to the premises of any registered person for the purpose of supplying therefrom on payment of tax in India or without payment of tax for exports within the period specified in this sub-section.
(3) Where any goods had been despatched from the place of business without payment of tax for carrying out tests or any other process, to any other premises, whether registered or not, in accordance with the provisions of existing law prior to the appointed day and such goods, are returned to the said place of business on or after the appointed day, no tax shall be payable if the said goods, afer undergoing tests or any other process, are returned to such place within six months from the appointed day:
Provided that the period of six months may, on sufficient cause being shown, be extended by the Commissioner for a further period not exceeding two months:
Provided further that if the said goods are not returned within the period specified in this sub-section, the input tax credit shall be liable to be recovered in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) of sub- section (8) of section 142:
Provided also that the person despatching the goods may, in accordance with the provisions of the existing law, transfer the said goods from the said other premises on payment of tax in India or without payment of tax for exports within the period specified in this sub-section.
(4) The tax under sub-section (1),(2) and (3) shall not be payable, only if the person despatching the goods and the job worker declare the details of the inputs or goods held in stock by the job worker on behalf of the said
521
person on the appointed day i such form and manner and within such time as may be prescribed.
142.(1) Where any goods on which tax, if any, had been paid under the existing law at the time of sale thereof, not being Miscellaneous
earlier than six months prior to the appointed day, are transitional
returned to any place of business on or after the
provisions.
appointed day, the registered person shall be eligible for refund of the tax paid under the existing law where such goods are returned by a person, other than a registered person, to the said place of business within a period of six months from the appointed day and such goods are identifiable to the satisfaction of the proper officer:
Provided that if the said goods are returned by a registered person, the return of such goods shall be deemed to be a supply. (2)(a) where, in pursuance of a contract entered into prior to the appointed day, the price of any goods is revised upwards on or after the appointed day, the registered person who had sold such goods shall issue to the recipient a supplementary invoice or debit note, containing such particulars as may be prescribed, within thirty days of such price revision and for the purposes of this Act, such supplementary invoice or debit note shall be deemed to have been issued in respect of an outward supply made under this Act;
(b) where, in pursuance of a contract entered into prior to the appointed day, the price of any goods is revised downwards on or after the appointed day, the registered person who had sold such goods may issue to the recipient a credit note, containing such particulars as may be prescribed, within thirty days of such price revision and for the purposes of this Act such credit note shall be deemed to have been issued in respect of an outward supply made under this Act:
Provided that the registered person shall be allowed to reduce his tax liability on account of issue of the credit note only if the recipient of the credit note has reduced his input tax credit corresponding to such reduction of tax liability.
522
(3) Every claim for refund filed by any person before, on or after the appointed dayforrefund of anyamountof input tax credit, tax, interest or any other amount paid under the existing law, shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of existing law and any amount eventually accruing to him shall be refunded to him in cash in accordance with the provisions of the said law:
Provided that where any claim for refund of the amount of input tax credit is fully or partially rejected, the amount so rejected shall lapse:
Provided further that no refund shall be allowed of any amount of input tax credit where the balance of the said amount as on the appointed day has been carried forward under this Act.
(4) Every claim for refund filed after the appointed day for Refund of any tax paid under the existing law in respect of the Goods exported before or after the appointed day, shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the existing law:
Provided that where any claim for refund of input tax credit is fully or partially rejected, the amount so rejected shall lapse:
Provided further that no refund shall be allowed of any amount of inputs tax credit where the balance of the said amount as on the appointed day has been carried forward underthis Act.
(5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, any amount of input tax credit reversed prior to theappointed day shall not be admissible as input tax credit underthis Act.
(6) (a) every proceeding of appeal, revision, review or reference relating to a claim for input tax credit initiated whether before, on or after the appointed day under the existing law shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the existing law, and any amount of credit found to be admissible to the claimant shall be refunded to him in cash in accordance with the provisions of the existing law, and the amount rejected, if any, shall not be admissible as input tax credit underthis Act:
523
Provided that no refund shall be allowed of any amount of input tax credit where the balance of the said amount as on the appointed day has been carried forward underthis Act;
(b) Every proceeding of appeal, revision, review or reference relating to recovery of input tax credit initiated whether before. on or after the appointed day under the existing law shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the existing law. and if any amount of credit becomes recoverable as a result of such appeal. Revision review or reference, the same shall, unless recovered under the existing law, be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act and the amount so recovered shall not be admissible as input tax credit under this Act.
(7) (a) every proceeding of appeal, Revision, review or Reference relating to any output tax liability initiated whether Before, on or after the appointed day under the existing law. Shall be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the existing law. and if any amount becomes recoverable as a result of such appeal, revision, review or reference, the same shall, unless recovered under the existing law be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act and the amount so recovered shall not be admissible as input tax credit under this Act.
(b) every proceeding of appeal, revision, review or reference relating to any output tax liability initiated whether before, on or after the appointed day under the existing law, shall be disposed of in accordance with the provision of the existing law, and any amount found to be admissible to the claimant shall be refunded to him in cash in accordance with the provisions of the existing law and the amount rejected, if any, shall not be admissible as inputtax credit underthis Act.
(8) (a) where in pursuance of an assessment or adjudication proceedings instituted, whether before, on or after the appointed day under the existing law, any amount of tax, interest, fine or penalty becomes recoverable from the person, the same shall, unless recovered under the existing law, be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act and theamount so recovered shall not be admissible as input tax credit under this Act;
524
(b) where in pursuance of an assessment or adjudication proceedings instituted, whether before, on or after the appointed day under the existing law, any amount of tax, interest, fine or penalty becomes refundable to the taxable person, the same shall be refunded to him in cash under the said law, and the amount rejected, if any, shall not be admissible as input tax credit under this Act.
(9) (a) where any return, furnished under the existing Law, is revised after the appointed day and if, pursuant to such revision, any amount is found to be recoverable or any amount of input tax credit is found to be inadmissible, the same shall, unless recovered under the existing law, be recovered as an arrear of tax under this Act and the amount so recovered shall not be admissible as input tax credit under this Act;
(b) where any return, furnished under the existing law, is revised after the appointed day but within the time limit specified for such revision under the existing law and if, pursuant to such revision, any amount is found to be refundable or input tax credit is found to be admissible to any taxable person, the same shall be refunded to him in cash underthe existing law, and the amount rejected, if any, shall not be admissible as input tax credit under this Act.
(10) Save as otherwise provided in this Chapter, the goods or service or both supplied on or after the appointed day in pursurance of a contract entered into prior to the appointed day shall be liable to tax under the provisions of this Act.
(11) a) notwithstanding anything contained in section 12, no tax shall be 4 of 2005 payable on goods under this Act to the extend the tax was leviable on the said goods under the Nagaland Value Added Tax Act, 2005;
(b) notwithstanding anything contained in section 13, no tax shall be 32 of 1994 payable on services under this Act to the extent the tax was leviable on the said services under Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994;
(c) where tax was paid on any supply, both under the Nagaland Value Added Tax Act, 2005 and chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994, tax shall
525
be leviable under this Act and the taxable person shall be entitled to 4 of 2005 take credit of value added tax or service tax paid under the existing law 32 of 1994 to the extent of supplies made after the appointed day and such credit shall be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.
(12) where any goods sent on approval basis, not earlier than six months before the appointed day, are rejected or not approved by the buyer and returned to the seller on or after the appointed day, no tax shall be payable thereon if such goods are returned within six months from the appointed day:
Provided that the said period of six months may, on sufficient cause being shown, be extended by the commissioner for a further period not exceeding two months:
Provided further that the tax shall be payable by the person returning the goods if such goods are liable to tax underthis Act, and are returned afterthe period specified in this sub-section:
Provided also that tax shall be payable by the person who has sent the goods on approval basis if such goods are liable to tax underthis Act, and are not returned within the period specified in this sub-section.
(13) where a supplier has made any sale of goods in respect of which tax
11
of 2005 was required to be deducted at source under the Nagaland value Added Tax,2005 and has also issued an Invoice for the same before the appointed day, no deduction of tax at source under section 51 shall be made by the deductor under the said section where payment to the said supplier is made on or after the appointed day.
(14) where any goods or capital goods belonging to the principal are lying at the premises of the agent on the Appointed day, the agent shall be entitled to take credit of the tax paid on such goods or capital goods subject to fulfilment of the following conditions;
(I) the agent is a registered taxable person under this Act;
526
(ii) both the principal and the agent declare the details of stock of goods or capital goods lying with such agent on the day immediately preceding the appointed day in such form and manner and within such time as may be prescribed in this behalf;
(iii) the invoices for such goods or capital goods had been issued Not earlier than twelve months immediately preceding the appointed day; and
(iv) the principal has either reversed or not availed of the input tax credit in respect of such,-
(a) goods; or
(b) capital goods or, having availed or such credit, has reversed the said credit, to the extent availed of by him.
Exploitation : For the purpose of this chapter, the expression "capital
4 Of 2005 goods" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Nagaland value Added Tax,2005.
CHAPTER XXI
MISCELLANEOUS
143.(1) A registered person (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Principal" may, under intimation and subject to such Job work conditions As maybe prescribed, send any inputs or capital Procedure. goods, without Payment of tax, to a job worker for job work and from there Subsequently send to another job worker and likewise, and shall,-
(a) bring back input, after completion of job work or otherwise, or capital goods, other than moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures, or tools, within one year and three years, respectively, of their being sent out,to any of his place of business, without payment of tax;
(b) supply such input, after completion of job work or otherwise, or capital goods, other than moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures, or tools, within one year and three years, respectively, of their being sent out from the
527
place of business of a job worker on payment of tax within India, or with or without payment of tax for export, as the case maybe; Provided that the principal shall not supply the goods from place of business of a job worker in accordance with the provision of this clause unless the said principle declares the place of business of the job worker as his additionaLplace of business expect in a case-
(I) where the job worker is registered under section 25;or
(ii) where the principal is engaged in the supply of such goods as Maybe notified by the commissioner.
(2) The responsibility for keeping proper accounts for the inputs orcapitalgoods hall lie with the principal.
(3) where the inputs sent for job work are not received back by the principal after completion of job work or otherwise in accordance with the provision of ause (a)Of sub-section(1) or are not supplied from the place of business of the job worker in accordance with the provision of clause(b)of sub- section (1) within a period of one year of their being sent out, it shall be deemed that such inputs had been supplied by the principal to the job worker on the day when the said inputs were sent out.
(4) where the capital goods, other than moulds and dies, jigs and fixtures, or tools, sent for job work are not received back by the principal in accordance with the provisions of clause(a)of sub-section(1) or are not supplied from the place of business of the job worker in accordance with the provision of clause (b) of sub-section(1)within a period of three years of their being sent out, it shall be deemed that such capital goods had been supplied by the principal to the job worker on the day when the said capital goods were sent out.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section(1)and (2),any waste and scrap generated during the job work may be Supplied by the job worker directly from his place of business on payment of tax, if such
528
job worker is registered, or by the Principal, if the job worker is not registered.
Explanation. For the purposes of job work, input includes intermediate goods arising from any treatment or process carried out on the inputs by the principal or the job worker.
Presumption
144. Where any document-
as to documents in certain cases.
(i) is produced by any person under this Act or any other law for the time being in force; or
(ii) has been seized from the custody or control of any person under this Act, or any other law for the time being in force; or
(iii) has been received from any place outside India in the course of any proceedings under this Actor any other law for the time being in force, and such document is tendered by the prosecution in evidence against him or any other person who is tried jointly with him, the court shall
(a) unless the country is proved by such person, presume
(i) the truth of the contents of such documents;
(ii) that the signature and every other part of such document which purports to be in the handwriting of any particular person or which the court may be reasonably assume to have been signed by, or to be in the handwriting of, any particular person, is in that person's handwriting, and in the case of a document executed or attested, that it was executed or attested by the person by whom it purports to have been so executed or attested;
(b) Admit the document in evidence notwithstanding that it is not duly stamped, if such document is otherwise admissible in evidence. 145.(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law forthe time being in force,- Admissibility
Admissibility
of micro films,
facsimile copies
of documents
and computer
printouts as
document and
as evidence.
529
(a) a microfilm of a document or the reproduction of the image or images embodied in such microfilm (whether enlarged or Not);or
(b) a facsimile copy of a document; nor
(c) a statement contained in a document and included in a Printed material produced by a computer, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed; or
(d) any information stored electronically in any device or media, including any hard copies made of such information,
Shall be deemed to be a document for the purposes of this Act and the rules made thereunder and shall be admissible in any proceedings thereunder, without further proof or production of the original, as evidence of any contents of the original or of any fact stated therein of which direct evidence would be admissible.
(2) In any proceedings under this Act and or the rules made thereunder, where it is desired to give a statement in evidence by virtue of this section, a certificate,---
(a) identifying the document containing the statement and describing the manner in which it was produced;
(b) giving such particulars of any device involved in the production of that document as may be appropriate for the purpose of showing that the document was produced bya computer,
Shall be evidence of any matter stated in the certificate and for the purpose of this sub-section it shall be sufficient for a matter to be stated to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person stating it.
146. The Government may, on the recommendations of the council, notify the common Goods and services Tax Common Electronic portal for facilitating registration, payment of Portal Tax, furnishing of return, computation and settlement of integrated tax, electronic way bill and for carrying out such other function and for such purpose as maybe prescribed.
530
147. The Government may, on the recommendations of the council, notify certain supplies of goods as "deemed Deemed exports, where goods supplied do not leave India, and Exports.
payment for such supplies is received either in Indian, rupees or in convertible foreign exchange, if such goods are manufactured in India.
148. The Government may, on the recommendations of the Special Council, and subject to such conditions and safeguard as procedure may be prescribed, notify certain classes of registered forcertain processes. person, and the special procedures to be followed by such person including those with regard to registration, furnishing of return, payment of tax and administration of such persons.
149.(1) every registered person may be assigned a goods and service tax compliance rating score by the Government
based on his record of compliance with the provision of this Act.
Goods and
service tax
compliance
rating.
(2) The goods and service tax compliance rating score may be determined on the basic of such parameters as may be prescribed.
(3) The goods and services tax compliance rating score maybe updated at periodic intervals and intimated to the registered person and also placed in the public domain in such manner as may be prescribed.
150. (1) Any person, being— Obligation to
Furnish
Information return
(a) a taxable person; or
(b) a local authority or other public body or association; or
(c) any authority of the state Government responsible for the collection of value added tax or sales or state excise duty or an authority of the central Government responsible for the collection of excise duty or customs duty; or
531
(d) an income tax authority appointed under the provisions of the Income- 43 of 1961 tax Act, 196 1;or
2 of 1943
(e) a banking company within the meaning of clause (a) of section 45A of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934,or
36 Of 2003
(f) a state Electricity Board or an electricity distribution or transmission licensee under the Electricity Act,2003,or any other entity entrusted with such functions by the central Government or the state Government; or
16 of 1908
(g) the Registrar or sub-Registrar appointed under section 6 of the Registration Act, 1908;or
18 of 2013
(h) a Registrar within the meaning of the CompaniesAct,2013; or 59 of 1988
(i) the registering authority empowered to register motor vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act,1988;or
30 of 2013
(j) the Collector referred to in clause(c) of section 3 of the Right To Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act,2013;or
42 of 1956
(k) the recognised stock exchange referred to in clause(f) of section 2 of the Securities Contracts (Regulation)Act, 1956; or
22 of 1996
(I) a depository referred to in clause (e) of sub-section (1) of Section 2 of the Depositories Act, 1996; or
2 of 1934
(m) an officer of the Reserve Bank of India as constituted under Section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; or
18 of 2013
532
(n) the Goods and Services Tax Network, a company registered Under the Companies Act, 2013; or
(o) a person to whom a Unique Identity Number has been Granted under sub-section (9) of section 25; or
(p) any other person as may be specified, on the Recommendations of the Council, bythe Government,
Who is responsible for maintaining record of registration or statement of accounts or any periodic return or document containing details of payment of tax and other details of transaction of goods or services or both or transaction related to a bank account or consumption of electricity or transaction of purchase, sale or exchange of goods or property or right or interest in a property under any law for the time being in force, shall furnish an information return of the same in respect of such periods, within such time, in such form and manner and to such authority or agency as may be prescribed.
(2) Where the Commissioner, or an officer authorised by him in this behalf, considers that the information furnished in the information return is defective, he may intimate the defect to the person who has furnished such information return and give him an opportunity of rectifying the defect within a period of thirty days from the date of such intimation or within such further period which , on an application made in this behalf, the said authority may allow and if the defect is not rectified within the said period of thirty days or, the further period so allowed, then, notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, such information return shall be treated as not furnished and the provision of this Act shall apply.
(3) where a person who is required to furnish information return has not furnished the same within the time specified in sub- section (1) or sub- section(2),the said authority may serve upon him a notice requiring furnishing of such information return within a period not exceeding ninety days from the date of service of the notice and such person shall furnish the information return.
533
151.(1) The Commissioner may, if he considers that it is necessary so to do, by notification, direct that statistics may be collected relating to any matter dealt with by or in connection with this Act.
Power to collect statistics.
(2) Upon such notification being issued, the commissioner, or any person authorised by him in this behalf, may call upon the concerned person to furnish such information or return, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, relating to any matter in respect of which statistics is to be collected.
152.(1) No information of any individual return or part thereof with respect to any matter given for the purpose of Baron
section 150 or section 151 shall, without the previous
disclosure of information
consent in wing of the concerned person or his authorised representative ,be published in such manner so as to enable such particulars to be identified as referring to a particular person and no such information shall be used for the purpose of any proceedings uncerthis Act.
(2) Except for the purpose of prosecution under this Act or any other Act for the time being in force, no person who is not engaged in the Collection of statistics under this Act or compilation or computerization thereof for the purposes of this Act, shall be permitted to see or have access to any information or any individual return referred to in section 151.
(3) Nothing in this section shall apply to the publication of any information relating to a class of taxable persons or class of transactions, if in the opinion of the Commissioner, it is desirable in the public interest to publish such information.
153. Any officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner may, having regard to the nature and complexity of the case and the Taking interest of revenue, take assistance of any expert at any assistance
stage of scrutiny, inquiry, investigation or any other fr0m
expert
proceedings before him.
534
154. The Commissioner or an officer authorised by him may take Power
samples of goods from the possession of any taxable person, to take
where he considers it necessary, and provide a receipt for any
samples.
samples so taken.
155. where any person claims that he is eligible for input tax credit Burden of
under this Act, the burden of proving such claim shall lie on proof
such person.
156. All persons discharging functions under this Act shall be Persons
45 of 1860 deemed to be public servants within the meaning of
deemed to be
section 21 of the Indian Penal Code
public servants
157.(1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the President, State President, Members, officers or Protecting
others employees of of the Appellate Tribunal or any other of action
token under
person authorised by the said Appellate Tribunal for this Act.
anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules made thereunder.
(2) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against any officer appointed or authorised under this Act for anything which is done under or intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules made thereunder.
158.(1) All particulars contained in any statement made, return furnished or accounts or documents produced in accordance with this Disclosure of
Act, or in record of evidence given in the course of any information
F roceedings under this Act(other than proceedings before
by a public
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Indian Evidence Act,1872,no court shall, save as otherwise provided in sub- 1 of 1872 section(3),require any officer appointed or authorised under this Act to produce before it or to give evidence before it in respect of particulars referred to in sub-section(1).
servant.
a criminal court),or in any record of any proceedings under this Act shall, save as provided in sub-sectior),not be disclosed.
535
(3) Nothing contained in this section shall apply to the disclosure of,-
(a) any particulars in respect of any statement, return, accounts, 45 of 1860 documents, evidence, affidavit or deposition, for the purpose of any 49 of 1988 prosecution under the Indian penal code or the prevention of corruption Act, 1988,or any other law for the time being in force; or
(b) any particulars to the central Government or the State Government or to any person acting in the implementation of this Act, for the purposes of carrying out the objects of this Act; or
(c) any particulars when such disclosure is occasioned by the lawful exercise under this Act or any process for the service of any notice or recovery of any demand; or
(D) any particulars to a civil court in any suit or proceedings, to which the Government or any authority under this Act is a party, which relates to any matter arising out of any proceedings under this Act or under any other law for the time being in force authorizing any such authority to exercise any powers thereunder; or
(e) any particulars to any officer appointed for the purpose of audit of tax receipts or refunds of the tax imposed by this Act; or
(1)
any particulars where such particulars are relevant for the purposes of any inquiry into the conduct of any officer appointed or authorised under this Act, to any person or person appointed as an inquiry officer under any law for the time being in force; or
(g) any such particulars to an officer of the central Government or of any State Government, as may be necessary for the purpose of enabling that Government to levy or realise any tax or duty; or
(h) any particulars when such disclosure is occasioned by the lawful exercise by a public servant or any other statutory authority, of his or its powers under any law forthe time being in force; or
536
(i) (j) any particulars relevant to any inquiry into a charge of Misconduct in connection with any proceedings under this Act against a practicing advocate ,a tax practitioner, a Practicing cost accountant, a practicing chartered accountant, a practicing company secretary to the authority empowered to take disciplinary action against the members practicing the profession of a legal practitioner, a cost accountant, a chartered accountant or a company secretary, as the case may be; or any particulars to any agency appointed for the purposes of data entry on any automated system or for the purpose of operating, upgrading or maintaining any automated system where such agency is contractually bound not to use or disclose such particulars except for the aforesaid purpose; or
any such particulars to an officer of the Government as may be necessary for the purposes of any other law for the time being in force; and
any information relating to any class of taxable persons or class of transactions for publication, if, in the opinion of the Commissioner, it is desirable in the public interest, to publish such information. 159.(1) If the Commissioner, or any other officer authorised by
publication of him in this behalf, is of the opinion that it is necessary or information
expedient in the in public interest to publish the name of in respect persons in
any person and any other respect of particulars relating certain cases.
to any proceedings or prosecution under this Act in respect of such person, it may cause to be published such name and particulars in such manneras itthinks fit.
(2) No publication under this section shall be made in relation to any penalty imposed under this Act until the tinc for presenting an appeal to the Appellate Authority under section 107 has expired without an appeal having been presented or the appeal ,if presented, has been disposed of.
Explanation; In the case of firm, company or other association of persons, the names of the partners of the firm, directors, managing
537
agents, secretaries and treasurers of managers of the company, or the members of the association, as the case may be, may also be Published if,in the opinion of the Commissioner, or any other Officer authorised by him in this behalf, circumstances of the case Justify it. 160.(1) No assessment, re-assessment,adjudication, review, revision, appeal, rectification, notice, summons or other proceedings Assessment
done, accepted, made, issued, initiated, or purported Proceedings
to have been done, accepted, made, issued, initiated etc. not to be invalid on
in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act shall certain grounds.
be invalid or deemed to be invalid merely by reason of any mistake, defector omission therein, if such Assessment, re-assessment, adjudication, review, revision, appeal, rectification, notice, summons or other proceedings are in substance and effect in conformity with or according to the intents, purposes and requirements of this Act or existing law.
(2) The service of any notice, order or communication shall not be Called in question, if the notice, order or communication, as The case may be, has already been acted upon by the person to whom it is issued or where such service has not been called in question at or in the earlier proceedings commenced, continued or finalised pursuant to such notice, order or communication.
161. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 160,and Rectification
notwithstanding anything contained in any other of errors apparent
provisions of this Act, any authority, who has passed or Oe
issued any decision or order apparent on or notice or order certificate or any other document, may rectify any error of which is apparent on the face of record in such discussion or order of notice or certificate or any other document, either on its own motion or where such error is brought to its notice by any officer appointed under this Act or an officer appointed under the central Goods and services Tax Act or by the affected person within a period of three months from the date of issue of such decision or order or notice or certificate or any other document, as the case may be;
538
Provided that no such reification shall be done after a period of six months from the date of issue of such decision or order or notice or certificate or any other document;
Provided further that the said period of six months shall not apply in such cases where the rectification is puny in the nature of correction of a clerical or arithmetical error, arising from any accidental slip or omission:
Provided also that where such rectification adversely affects any person, the principles of natural justice shall be followed by the authority carrying out such reification.
162. Save as provided in sections 117 and 118,no civil court shall Bar on
have jurisdiction to deal with or decide any question Jurisdiction
arising from or relating to anything done or purported to
of civil Courts.
be done under this Act.
163. Wherever a copy of any order or document is to be provided to Levy
any Person on an application made by him for that purpose, offee there shall be paid such fee as may be prescribed.
164. (1) The Government may, on the recommendation of the Council, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act
power of
Government to make rules.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1),the Government may make rules for all or any of the matters which by this Act are required to be, or may be, prescribed or in respect of which provisions are to be or may be made by rules.
(3) The power to make rules conferred by this section shall include the power to give retrospective effect to the rules or any of them from a date not earlier than the date on which the provisions of this Act come into force.
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(4) Any rules made under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) may provide that a contravention thereof shalt be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten thousand rupees.
165. The Government may, by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Power to make
regulations
166. Every rule made by the Government, every regulations made by the Government and every notification issued by the
Government under this Act, shall be laid, as soon as Laying of rules, regulations and
may be after it is made or issued, before the State notifications
Legislature, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, the State Legislature agrees in making any modification in the rule or regulation or in the notification, as the case may be, or the State Legislature agrees that the rule or regulation or the notification should not be made, the rule or regulation or notification, as the case may be, shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or regulation or notification, as the case may be.
167. The commissioner may, notification, direct that subject to such conditions, if any, as may be specified in the Delegation
notification, any power exercisable by any authority or of powers
officer under this Act may be exercisable also by another or officer as may be specified in such notification.
168. The Commissioner may, if he considers it necessary or power to
expedientso to do for the purpose of uniformity in the issue
implementation of this issue Act, such orders, instruction instructions
or directions to the State tax officer as it may deem fit, and
or directions.
thereupon all such officers and all other persons employed in the implementation of this Act shall observe and follow such orders instructions or directions.
540
Service of notice in certain circumstances.
169. (1) Any decision, order summons, notice or other communicationunder this Act or the rules made thereunder shall be served by any one of the following methods, namely; --
(a) by giving or tendering it directly or by a messenger including a courier to the addressee or the taxable person or to his manager or authorised representative or an advocate or a tax practitioner holding authority to appear in the proceedings on behalf of the taxable person or to a person regularly employed by him in connection with the business, or to any adult memberof family residing with the taxable person; or
(b) by registered post or speed post or courier with acknowledgment due, to the person for whom it is intended or his authorised representative, if any, at his last known place of business or residence; or
(c) by send in a communication to his e-mail address provided at the time of registration or as amended from time to time; or
(d) by making it available on the common portal; or
(e) by publication in a newspaper circulating in the locality in which the taxable person or the person to whom it is issued is last known to have resided, carried on business or personally worked for gain; or
(f) if none of the modes aforesaid is practicable, by affixing it in Some conspicuous place at his last known place of business or residence and if such mode is not practicable for any Reason, then by affixing a copy thereof on the notice board of the office of the concerned officer or authority who or which passed such decision or order or issued such summons or notice.
(2) Every decision, order, summons, notice or any communication Shall be deemed to have been served on the date on which it is Tendered or published or a copy thereof is affixed in the Manner provided in sub- section(1).
541
(3) when such decision, order, summons, notice or any communication is sent by registered post or speed post, it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee at the expiry of the period normally taken by such post in transit unless the contrary is proved.
170. The amount of Tax, interest, penalty, fine or any other sum payable, and the amount of refund or any other sum due, Rounding off under the provisions of this Act shall be rounded off to of tax etc.
the nearest rupee and, for the purpose, where such amount contains a part of a rupee consisting of paise, then, if such part is fifty paise or more, it shall be increased to one rupee and if such part is less than fifty paise it shall be ignored.
171.(1) Any reduction in rate of tax on any supply of goods or services or the nefit of input tax credit shall be passed on to the recipient byway of commensurate reduction in prices.
Anti-
profiteering Measure
(2) The Central Go'ernment may, recommendations of the Council, by notification, constitute an Authority, or empower an existing Authority constituted under any law for the time being in force, to examine whether input tax credits availed by any registered person or the reduction in the tax rate have actually resulted in a commensurate reduction in the price of the goods or services or both supplied by him.
(3) The Authority referred to in sub-section (2) shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions as may be prescribed.
172.(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provisions of this Act, the Government may, on the recommendations of the
Removal of
council, by a general or a special order published in the difficulties Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the said difficulty:
542
Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of three years from the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be, after it is made, before the State Legislature.
173. Save as otherwise provided in this Act, on and from the date of commencement of this Act, the provisions, Amendment
under any State law, authorizing levy and collection of ofcertainActs.
taxes by a Municipality or a Town Council or any other authority shall stand annulled/rescinded or modified in as much as/ to the extent such taxes are the subject matter of Entry 52 relating to levy of entry tax/octroi, Entry 54 relating to levy of tax on sale or purchase of goods, Entry 55 relating to levy of tax on advertisements and Entry 62 relating to levy of tax on luxuries, including entertainments, amusements, betting and grambling, of the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, as amended by the Constitution (One Hundredth and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
174. (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, on and from the Repeal and
date of commencement of this Act,
saving
(i) the Nagaland Amusements Tax Act, 1965 (Act No.4 of 1965),
(ii) Nagaland Sales of Peroleum and its products including Motor Spirit and Lubricants etc., Taxation Act, 1967 (Act No.9 of 1967) except in respect of goods included in the Entry 54 of the State List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution;
(iii) The Nagaland Value Added Act, 2005 (Act No.4 of 2005) except in respect of goods included in the Entry 54 of the State List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution;
(iv) The Nagaland Entry Tx Act, 2013 (Act No.7 of 2013); (hereafter referred to as the repealed Acts) are hereby repealed.
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(2) The repeal of the said Acts and the amendment of the Acts specified in section 173 (hereafter referred to as "such amendment" or amended Act", as the case may be) to the extent mentioned in sub- section (1) or section 173 shall not-
(a) revive anything not in force or existing at the time of such amendment or repeal; or
(b) affect the previous operation of the repealed Acts and orders or anything duly done or suffered thereunder; or
(c) affect any right, privilege, obligation, or liability acquired, accrued or incurred under repealed Acts or orders under such repealed Acts:
Provided that any tax exemption granted as an incentive against investment through a notification shall not continue as privilege if the said notification is rescinded on or after the appointed day; or
(d) affect any tax, surcharge, penalty, fine, interest as are due or may become due or any orfeiture or punishment incurred or inflicted in respect of any offence or violation committed against the provisions of the repealed Acts; or
(e) affect any investigation, inquiry, assessment proceedings, adjudication and any other legal proceedings or recovery of arrears or remedy in respect of any such tax, surcharge,penalty, fine, interest, right, privilege, obligation, liability, forfeiture or punishment, as aforesaid, and any such investigation, inquiry, assessment proceedings, adjudication and other legal proceedings or recovery of arrears or remedy may be instituted, continued or enforced, and any such tax, surcharge, penalty, fine, interest , forfeiture or punishment may be levied or imposed as if these Acts had not been so repealed; or
(f) affect any proceedings including that relating to an appeal, revision, review or reference, instituted before, on or after the appointed day under the said repealed Acts and such proceedings shall be continued under the said repealed Acts as if this Act had not come into force and the said Acts had not been repealed.
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(3) The mention of the particular matters referred to in section 10 of 1897 173 and sub-section (1) shall not be held to prejudice of affect the general application of section 3 of the Nagaland Interpretation and General Clause Act, 1978 Act No: 6 of 1979) with regard to the effect of repeal.
10 of 1897
SCHEDULE I
[See section 71
ACTIVITIES TO BE TREATED AS SUPPLY EVEN IF MADE WITHOUT
CONSIDERATION
1. Permanent transfer or disposal of business assets where input tax credit has been availed on such assets.
2. Supply of goods or services or both between related persons or between distinct persons as specified in section 25, when made in the course or furtherance of business:
Provided that gifts not exceeding fifty thousand rupees in value in a financial year by an employer to an employee shall not be treated as supply of goods or services or both.
3. Supply of goods-
(a) by a principal to his agent where the agent undertakes to supply such goods on behalf of the principal; or
(b) by an agent to his principal where the agent undertakes to receive such goods on behalf of the principal.
4. Import of services by a taxable person from a related person or from any of his other establishments outside India, in the course or furtherance of business.
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SCHEDULE II
[See section 71
ACTIVITIES TO BE TREATED AS SUPPLY OF GOODS OR SUPPLY OF SERVICES
1. Transfer
20 of 1972
(a) any transfer of the title in goods Ia a supply of goods;
(b) any transfer of right in goods of undivided share in go--l's. wihct te transfer of the title thereof, is a supply of services;
(c) any transfer of title in goods under anaem ent which stipulates that property in goods shall pass at a fute date upon payment of full consideration as agreed, is a supply of goods.
2. Land and Bulding
(a) any lease, tenancy, easement, licence to occupy land is a supply of Services;
(b) any lease or letting out of the building including a commerci3, Industrial or residential complex for business or commerce, either Wholly or party, is a supply of services.
3. Treatment or process
Any treatment or process which is applied to another person's goods is a supply of services.
4. Transfer of business assets
(a) where goods forming part of the assets of a business are transferred or disposed of by or under the directions of the person carrying on the business so as no longer to form part of those assets, whether not for a consideration, such transfer or disposal is a supply of goods by the person;
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(b) where, by or under the direction of a person carrying on a business, goods held or used for the purpose of the business are put to any private use or are used, or made available to any person for use, for any purpose other than a purpose of the business, wether or not for a consideration, the usage or making available of such goods is a supply of services;
(c) where any person ceases to be a taxable person, any goods forming part of the assets of any business carried on by him shall be deemed to be supplied by him in the course or furtherance of him business immediately before he ceases to be a taxable person, unless—
(I) the business is transferred as a goingto another person; or
(ii) the business is carried on by a personal representative who is deemed to be a taxable person.
S. Supply of services
The following shall be treated as supply of services, namely:-
(a) renting of immovable property;
(b) construction of a complex, building, civil structure or a part thereof, including a complex or building intended for sale to a buyer, wholly or partly, except where the entire consideration has been received after issuance of completion certificate, where required, by the competent authority or after its first occupation, whichever is earlier. Explanation.- For the purposes of this clause-
(1) The expression "competent authority" means the Government or any authority authorised to issue completion certificate under any law for the time being in force and in case of non-requirement of such certificate from such authority, from any of the following, namely:-
(I) an architect registered with the Council of Architecture constituted underthe Architects Act,1972; or
(ii) a chartered engineer registered with the Institution of Engineers (India); or
547
a licensed surveyor of the respective local body of the city or town or village or development or planning authority;
(2) the expression "construction includes additions, alterations, replacements, replacements or remodeling of any existing civil structure;
(c) temporary transfer or permitting the use or enjoyment of any intellectual property right;
(d) development, design, programming, customization, adaptation, up gradation, enhancement, implementation of information technology software;
(e) agreeing to the obligation to refrain from an act, or to tolerate an actor a situation, orto do an act; and
(f) transfer of the right to use any goods for any purpose (whether or not for a specified period) for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideration.
6. Composite supply
The following composite supplies shall be treated asa supply of services, namely:-
(a) works contract as defined in clause (119) of section 2; and
(b) supply, by way of or as part or any service or in any other manner whatsoever, of goods, being food or any other article for human consumption or any drink (other than alchololic liquor for human consumption), where such supply or services is for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideratiOn.
7. Supply of Goods
Thefollowing shall be treated as supply of goods, namely:-
Supply of goods by any unincorporated association or body of ons to a member thereof for cash, deferred payment or other valuable consideration.
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SCHEDULE III
[See section 71
ACTIVITIES OR TRANSACTIONS WHICH SHALL BE TREATED NEITHER AS A
SUPPLY OF GOODS NOR A SUPPLY OF SERVICES
1. Services by an employee to the employer in the course of or in relation to his employment.
2. Services by any court or Tribunal established under any law for the time being in force.
3. (a) the functions performed by the Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislature, Members of Panchayats, Members of Municipalities and Members of other local authorities;
(b) the duties performed by any person who holds any post in pursuance of the provisions of the Constitution in that capacity; or
(c) the duties performed by any personas a Chairperson or a Member or a Director in a body established by the Central Government or a State Government or local authority and who is not deemed as an employee before the commencement of this clause.
4. Services of funeral, burial, crematorium or mortuary including transportation of the deceased.
S. Sale of land and, subject to clause (b) of paragraph 5 of Schedule II, sale of building.
6. Actionable claims, other than lottery, betting and gambling. Explanation.- For the purposes of paragraph 2, the term "court" includes District Court, High Court and Supreme Court.
xxx
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