GST Dept. issued Notice to Padmanabhaswamy Temple Management to Pay Tax Arrears worth 1.57 Crore

The Central GST Department has issued a notice to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Management Committee to pay Rs 1.57 crore in tax arrears over the last seven years. The central GST department issued a notice rejecting the governing body’s explanation for the numerous GST exemptions.

The central GST department discovered that the temple administration is not paying GST on the various incomes received by the temple in the form of rent income received from giving clothes to devotees, money received from the sale of pictures, and income received from the rent of ezhunallippu of elephants.

Meanwhile, the temple executive officer told the media that an explanation would be provided on the notice. The check was carried out at the Mathilakam office following a report that the temple was not paying taxes. The GST Department discovered that the administration receives GST when supplying services and products but does not pay the tax.

The temple management stated that after several concessions, the temple will only have to pay Rs.16 lakh. A total of Rs.3 lakh was paid. However, after rejecting the committee’s response, a notice to pay the tax of Rs.1.57 crore was issued.

The notice also stated that if the committee fails to pay the sum, it will face a 100% penalty and 18% penalty interest. The amount is a mix of 77 lakh GST share and 3 lakh flood cess owed to the central and state governments. The temple’s executive officer stated that the notice will be addressed appropriately.