Home Case Index All Cases VAT and Sales Tax VAT and Sales Tax + HC VAT and Sales Tax - 2023 (8) TMI HC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2023 (8) TMI 1313 - HC - VAT and Sales TaxAmnesty Scheme - denial of scheme on the ground that the dues have not been completely paid - wilful mis-statement in the return - HELD THAT:- Sec. 30(6) would indicate that where a dealer is liable to pay interest under Sub-section (5) or under Sub-section (7) of Sec. 42 and he makes payment of an amount which is less than the aggregate of the amount of tax, penalty and interest, the amount so paid shall be first applied towards the amount of interest. In case of the petitioners, at the relevant time, there was no purchase tax due nor was it payable. What was required to be seen was the actual tax due as per the return actually filed by the dealer and not the return which ought to have been filed. Reading the Section as a whole indicates that the concept of interest on such payments is on the payment of tax due as per returns. In the case of the petitioners, the scrutiny of the actual returns filed indicate that the petitioners had claimed erroneous input tax credit of the purchase tax amount shown in the return, and therefore, such purchase tax was not shown as due in the return. In light of this, it was not actually due and payable, and therefore, the provisions of Sec. 30 could not have been pressed into service. Considering the intention of the amnesty scheme, the interest had to be waived in respect of the tax declared under the scheme, and therefore, the action of the respondents in adjusting the tax paid along with the returns towards the interest is completely contrary to the object, purpose and the terms of the scheme. Even as per the scheme, there is no appeal that would lie against the rejection of a claim thereunder. The Demand Notice dated 30.10.2021 issued by the respondents is quashed and set aside and the action of modifying the assessment order by adjusting the tax paid by the petitioners against interest liability is set aside and the respondents are directed to consider such tax as paid and adjusted against principal tax liability - Petition allowed.
|