Business

FinMin Announces Slew Of Economic Measures In Face Of Pandemic

Tax filing dates extended, business rules eased, ATM, bank charges waived off in Covid relief measures. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a slew of measures for extension of statutory and regulatory compliances in view of the coronavirus pandemic impacting the economy. She also said that the Economic Task Force will soon announce an economic relief package to deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy. Here are the key announcements: Financial Services

Debit card holders who withdraw cash from any bank ATM can do it free of any charge for next three months. The measure has been taken to ease the burden on customers who need urgent cash and avoid overcrowding of bank branches.
There will be no charges on not keeping the minimum balance requirement. Country's largest lender State Bank of India had already waived the requirement of holding a minimum balance in savings account.
Reduced digital charges for trade transactions.

Tax measures

For Financial year 2018-19, last date for returns extended to June 30, 2020. For delayed payments made till June 30, interest rate reduced to 9% from 12%.
For delayed deposit of TDS, interest has been reduced to 9 % from 18%.
Aadhaar-pan linking extended to June 30 from March 31.
Vivaad se Vishwaas scheme extended to June 30. And no additional payment of 10% to be paid.
All compliances under Income Tax Act, Wealth Tax Act, Benami Transaction Act, Black Money Act, Vivaad se Vishwaas, have been extended to June 30, 2020.

For GST

All GST returns for March, April, May and composition returns extended to June 30, 2020.
For companies less than Rs 5 crore no late fee and penalty to be charged. For above Rs 5 crore, only interest at the rate of 9%

For Customs

Sabka Vishwaas scheme for indirect taxes having last date till March 31 has been extended to June 30, 2020. No interest to be levied.
Customs clearance till June 30 to work 24x7.

For Companies

In respect of the MCA21 registry, there is a moratorium being issued from April 1 till Sep 30 no additional fees for late filing.
There is a mandatory requirement for holding board meeting, which is relaxed for 60 days for the next two quarters.
For newly incorporated companies, additional time of six more months is being given for filing declaration of commencement of business.
If there is a company director who does not comply with minimum residency requirement of 182 days, this was treated as a violation. It shall not be treated as one.

For Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

Threshold of default is Rs 1 lakh as of now. From Rs 1 lakh it is being raised to Rs 1 crore to prevent triggering of insolvency proceedings for SMEs.
If it continues like this beyond April, then sec 7, 9, 10 of the IBC will be suspended for a period of six months.