Recovery of Tax under GST

In our previous blogs, we have gone through the provisions of demand, which gives an opportunity to defaulting taxpayers to pay the pending amount of tax along with the penalties, within the stipulated timelines. Several notifications, in the form of Show Cause Notice (SCN) and Order are issued for the purpose. However, if the due amount still remains unpaid, even after the orders are passed, then the department may start recovery proceedings. In this blog we will understand the provisions laid down in GST for recovery of tax.

When to initiate proceedings for Recovery of Tax?

As per the recovery provisions under GST, if the amount payable by a taxable person, remains unpaid, even after 3 months from the date of issuing the Order for demand of tax, then the recovery of tax under GST will be initiated. However, if the proper officer considers it urgent in the interest of revenue, he may state reasons recording in writing, and direct the concerned taxpayer to make payment in a reduced period as well. In any case, if the demand is not paid in the time specified, then the department will initiate proceedings for tax recovery under GST.

What are the modes of recovery of tax?

The proper officer may recover the tax due in the following tax recovery modes:

• Deduction of due amount from the tax amount payable to such person by the department
• Recovery of tax by way of detaining and selling any goods belonging to such person
• Recovery of tax from another person, from whom money is either due or may become due to such person
• Recovery of tax from another person, who holds or may subsequently hold money for or on account of such person, to pay to the credit of the Central or a State Government
• Detention of any movable or immovable property belonging to such person, until the amount payable is paid. If the dues are not paid within 30 days, the said property is to be sold and with the proceeds of such sale the amount payable and cost of sale is to be recovered
• Recovery of tax through the collector of the district, in which such person owns any property or resides or carries on his business, as if it were an arrear of land revenue. The proper officer will need to prepare a certificate specifying the amount due from such person and hand it over to the concerned collector, for this purpose
• Recovery of tax by way of application to the appropriate magistrate, who in turn shall proceed to recover the amount as if it were a fine imposed by him
• Recovery of tax via enforcing the bond or instrument executed under the Act or any rules or regulations made under the Act
• Recovery of tax done by the proper officer of the State Government or Union Territory Government, wherein, any CGST arrears will be recovered as if it were an SGST / UTGST arrear. Such an amount will be recovered, and then later credited to the account of the Central Government. In case the amount recovered by this means, is less than the amount due, then the amount will be apportioned among the Central Government and State / UT Government in proportion to the amount due to each authority

Provision for paying taxes in Instalments

If the taxpayer cannot pay all the GST dues i.e. tax, interest and penalty, in a lump sum or within the stipulated date, then he can file an application to the Commissioner requesting to pay in instalments. Basis this application, the commissioner can either extend the due date of payment, or, allow the taxpayer to pay the amount in instalments. In either case, the reasons for accepting and rejecting this request, have to be provided in writing.

When paying taxes in instalments however, the taxpayer has to remember the following conditions:

• Instalments are payable every month
• A maximum of 24 instalments are allowed i.e., the time of payment can be extended for a maximum of 2 years
• Interest at 18% must be paid along with the instalment
• All instalments must be paid on time. A single default will cause the instalments to cease and the entire outstanding balance will become due on that date, and will be recoverable, without any notice

However, please note that this option of paying in instalments is not available for dues under self-assessment. Any tax under self-assessment must be paid in one go.

In our next blog, we will study other provisions of tax recovery in India, especially those pertaining to attachment of property against recovery of tax.