Traders body CAIT seeks extension of GST return filings deadline

Traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on has sought extension of the deadline for filing various GST returns till August as well as cut in tax rates for medical and surgical equipment required for treating coronavirus and black fungus infections. The body wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urging her to extend the date of filing of various GSTR returns till August under the GST Act and Rules, without late fee and interest.

It said that GST officers should not resort to cancellation of registrations at this time unless there are pressing reasons for doing so. Also, for all traders having turnover of below Rs 20 crore in a year, no survey or audits or special assessments should be ordered for the years 2017-18 and 2018-19, it added.

It has also demanded that the rate of GST on all the medical and surgical equipment required for treatment of Covid and black fungus infections should be reduced considerably. And sought a financial package for the traders and a moratorium of six months on loans taken from banks and other financial institutions.