Clear picture of GST mop up in April to come by June-end: Fin Secy

Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey on Wednesday said the clear picture regarding GST collections for April would emerge only by June 30 -- the deadline by which businesses with up to Rs 5 crore turnover can file returns without any late fee and interest.

The government had in March extended the deadline to file GST returns for taxpayers with turnover of over Rs 5 crore by 15 days till May 5 from the due date of April 20 without payment of any late fee and interest. However, a reduced rate of 9 per cent interest will be levied if the return is filed after May 5 till June 30.

For taxpayers with turnover up to Rs 5 crore, there would be no interest and late fee would be waived if filed within the stipulated deadline set in June.

Conventionally, the government releases GST revenue mop up numbers on the basis of collections in a particular month. Hence, the collection in April was due to be released on May 1.

To a query on why the April GST number has not been released, Pandey said, "You know that the GST filing dates has been extended. If it will be extended, we have said that returns can be filed till June, people who have turnover of more than Rs 5 crore they also got more time."