Pre-GST Amnesty Scheme: Last date for application ends on December 31

The deadline to apply for the amnesty scheme 2024, to clear decades-old tax arrears under the pre-Goods and Services Tax (GST) tax regime, ends on December 31, the state GST department said. The tax arrears solution scheme, which was launched on August 1 after the announcement in the provincial budget, was envisaged to benefit the business sector. Dues under the pre-GST Kerala Value Added Tax Act, Kerala Agricultural Income Tax Act, Kerala General Sales Tax Act, Kerala Tax on Luxury Act, and Kerala Surcharge on Tax Act are dealt with under the scheme.

This scheme offers 100% exemption for tax dues up to ₹50,000. For larger amounts, the following rates apply in December. For arrears above ₹ 50,000 and up to ₹ 10 lakh, defaulters have to pay 36% of the tax amount. For arrears between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore, there are two schemes – defaulters have to pay 46% of the tax amount for the arrears in issue and 56% for others. For tax arrears above Rs.1 crore, 76% of the due amount under suit and 86% for the rest.