GST: CBIC issues SOP for implementation of Provision of Suspension of Registrations under Rule 21A(2A) of CGST Rules, 2017 [Read Circular]

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) notified the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for implementation of the provision of suspension of registrations under sub-rule (2A) of rule 21A of CGST Rules, 2017.

Sub-rule (2A) of rule 21A  provides for immediate suspension of registration of a person, as a measure to safeguard the interest of revenue, on the observance of such discrepancies /anomalies which indicate a violation of the provisions of Act and rules made thereunder; and that continuation of such registration poses an immediate threat to revenue.

Till the time an independent functionality for FORM REG-31 is developed on the portal, in order to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the provisions of the above rule across the field formations, the Board, in the exercise of its powers conferred by section 168 (1) of the CGST Act, provides the guidelines for implementation of the provision of suspension of registrations under the said rule.

The CBIC notified that the registration of specified taxpayers shall be suspended and system-generated intimation for suspension and notice for cancellation of registration in FORM GST REG-31, containing the reasons of suspension, shall be sent to such taxpayers at their registered e-mail address. Till the time functionality for FORM REG-31 is made available on the portal, such notice/intimation shall be made available to the taxpayer on their dashboard on the common portal in FORM GST REG-17. The taxpayers will be able to view the notice in the “View/Notice and Order” tab post login.

The taxpayers, whose registrations are suspended (hereinafter referred to as “the said person”) under the above provisions, would be required to furnish a reply to the jurisdictional tax officer within thirty days from the receipt of such notice/intimation, explaining the discrepancies/anomalies, if any, and shall furnish the details of compliances made or/and the reasons as to why their registration should not be canceled.

Firstly, the said person would be required to reply to the jurisdictional officer against the notice for cancellation of registration sent to them, in FORM GST REG-18 online through Common Portal within the time limit of thirty days from the receipt of notice/ intimation.

Secondly, in case the intimation for suspension and notice for cancellation of registration is issued on the ground of non -filing of returns, the said person may file all the due returns and submit the response. Similarly, in other scenarios as specified under FORM GST REG-31, they may meet the requirements and submit the reply.

After issuance of FORM GST REG-31 via email the list of such persons would be sent to the concerned Nodal officers of the CBIC/ States. Also, the system generated notice can be viewed by the jurisdictional proper officers on their Dashboard for suitable actions. Upon receipt of reply from the said person or on expiry of thirty days (reply period), a task would be created in the dashboard of the concerned proper officer under “Suo moto cancellation proceeding”.

Proper officer, post examination of the response received from the said person, may pass an order either for dropping the proceedings for suspension/ cancellation of registration in FORM GST REG-20 or for cancellation of registration in FORM GST REG-19. Based on the action taken by the proper officer, the GSTIN status would be changed to “Active” or “Cancelled Suo-moto” as the case may be.

Till the time-independent functionality for FORM GST REG-31 is fully ready, it is advised that if the proper officer considers it appropriate to drop a proceeding anytime after the issuance of FORM GST REG-31, he may advise the said person to furnish his reply on the common portal in FORM GST REG-18.

The CBIC advised that in case the proper officer is prima-facie satisfied with the reply of the said person, he may revoke the suspension by passing an order in FORM GST REG-20. Post such revocation, if need be, the proper officer can continue with the detailed verification of the documents and recovery of short payment of tax, if any.

Further, in such cases, after detailed verification or otherwise, if the proper officer finds that the registration of the said person is liable for cancellation, he can again initiate the proceeding of cancellation of registration by issuing notice in FORM GST REG-17.

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