18-January-2025
Taxation
 
Big relief for GST taxpayers: Protection against arbitrary arrest and coercion by GST officers; CBIC changes arrest and bail guidelines under GST
17-Jan-2025

Now a Goods and Service Tax (GST) proper officer can't arbitrarily arrest a GST registered person due to a recent amendment in GST arrest instructions. Moreover, now GST proper officers have to explain to the taxpayers about the 'grounds of arrest' and also obtain a written acknowledgement from them about their understanding of the explanation. The Goods and Services Tax Investigation wing has amended para 4.2.1 of its instruction dated August 17, 2022. Amended para 4.2.1 now reads as follows: "The grounds of arrest must be explained to the arrested person and also furnished to him in writing as an Annexure to the Arrest Memo. Acknowledgement of the same should be taken from the arrested person at the time of service of the Arrest Memo.

News Source:- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/tax/big-relief-for-gst-taxpayers-protection-against-arbitrary-arrest-and-coercion-by-gst-officers-cbic-changes-arrest-and-bail-guidelines-under-gst/articleshow/117291690.cms