Residential status under tax law: stranded visitors may remain non resident; DTAA tie breaker and relief mechanisms apply.
Section 6 residence tests depend on day count thresholds and income conditions; short COVID related stays in PY 2020 21 are unlikely alone to create Indian residence. DTAAs contain tie breaker rules to resolve dual residency and allocate taxing rights, including employment income tests that limit source taxation unless presence, employer residence, or permanent establishment conditions are met. Individuals facing residual double taxation after treaty relief may submit Form NR with specified particulars for Board consideration of targeted or individual relief.

Export quota allocation for diagnostic kits - online applications accepted with manufacturer certification and specified documentation for licences.
Export control and allocation procedure for specified diagnostic kits and components requires online filing through DGFT's ECOM system within the notified window, with no hard-copy submissions. Applicants already filed need only provide the application file number and required documents by email. Allocation will be examined under the Handbook of Procedures; incomplete or late submissions will be rejected. Eligibility requires documentary proof of manufacture, a single application per IEC, IEC copy, purchase order/invoice and a signed undertaking certifying domestic commitments; all documents must be self-attested. Licences issued carry a fixed validity and are drawn from residual quota.

Dynamic QR Code requirement on B2C invoices ensures digital payment data capture and compliance for high-turnover suppliers.
Notification No. S.O. 111 mandates a Dynamic QR Code on B2C tax invoices issued to unregistered persons by suppliers whose aggregate turnover exceeds 500 crore rupees in any financial year from 2017-18 onwards, excluding specified service providers and OIDAR exports treated as B2B. The Dynamic QR Code must include supplier GSTIN, supplier UPI ID, payee bank account and IFSC, invoice number and date, total invoice value and GST breakup, and be scannable for digital payment. An invoice is deemed compliant if it carries the Dynamic QR Code or, where payment occurred by other means, the invoice records a cross-reference of the payment; for payments made after invoice issuance the supplier must provide the Dynamic QR Code.

Suspension of registration triggers 30-day response obligation and may lead to cancellation if discrepancies are not resolved.
Immediate suspension of registration is authorised where return comparisons or other analyses disclose significant discrepancies or anomalies indicating contravention of the BGST Act and Rules that pose an immediate threat to revenue. Pending FORM GST REG 31 functionality, intimations/notices will be placed on the taxpayer dashboard as FORM GST REG 17 and sent to registered e mail addresses. The taxpayer must reply online in FORM GST REG 18 within the reply period explaining discrepancies and submitting compliances; the proper officer may revoke suspension in FORM GST REG 20 or cancel registration in FORM GST REG 19 after examination.

Dynamic QR Code requirement: B2C invoices comply when QR is present or payment cross references are recorded on the invoice.
The Dynamic QR Code requirement applies to B2C tax invoices issued by registered persons exceeding the turnover threshold, excluding specified service suppliers, OIDAR supplies by IGST-registered persons, and exports treated as B2B e-invoices. The QR must include supplier GSTIN, UPI ID, bank account and IFSC, invoice number and date, total value and GST breakup, and be scannable for digital payment. An invoice is compliant if it bears a Dynamic QR Code or records a payment cross-reference (transaction id, date, time, amount, mode); pre-paid supplies comply via payment cross-reference, while post-invoice payments require a QR code.

Online adjudication module enables electronic filing of appeals with proof of deposit and virtual personal hearings permitted.
An electronic case-management module for Adjudication, Appeal and Review under the Foreign Trade Act and Rules began on 27 February 2021; exporters must submit prescribed export-obligation documents via the DGFT portal, failure of which may lead to a Show Cause Notice and an online Adjudication Order imposing duty, interest and penalty. Appeals must be filed online with proof of deposit within the time limit, with appellate processes and personal hearings handled electronically or physically at authority discretion. Review proceedings will also be conducted through the online module.

Insider trading disclosures: system driven reporting and mandatory company duties ensure automated public dissemination of transactions.
Circular conditions normal segment trading on dematerialisation thresholds (including 100% promoter demat subject to limited exemptions) and requires exchanges to disseminate disclosures; mandates internal codes and supervisory controls for intermediaries to prevent circulation of unauthenticated news; reiterates standardised initial and continual disclosure formats under PIT Regulations, clarifies OFS and Rights Entitlement transactions are exempt from trading window closure when within Board frameworks, prescribes reporting and remittance procedures for Code of Conduct violations to the Investor Protection and Education Fund, and implements system driven disclosures by depositories and exchanges for entities' equity and equity derivative trades.

Dynamic QR Code compliance for B2C invoices clarified for invoice content, exclusions, and deemed payment-based compliance rules.
Clarification is issued on the applicability of Dynamic QR Code requirements for B2C invoices under the Assam GST framework and on the manner of compliance with the notification requiring such code for taxpayers above the prescribed turnover threshold. The clarification states that the requirement applies to tax invoices issued by registered persons to unregistered persons, subject to specified exclusions for certain services, OIDAR supplies, and export supplies where e-invoicing applies instead. It also sets out the required QR code particulars and recognises deemed compliance where payment references are cross-linked on the invoice.

Suspension of GST registration for mismatched returns and anomalies follows a thirty-day reply process before cancellation action.
Suspension of registration under rule 21A(2A) applies where comparisons of returns with GSTR-1 outward supplies, inward supplies derived from suppliers' GSTR-1, or other authorised analysis reveal significant differences or anomalies indicating contravention of the Act or rules and an immediate revenue risk. The SOP provides interim implementation through FORM GST REG-31, electronic intimation, and a thirty-day reply mechanism in FORM GST REG-18. The proper officer may thereafter drop the proceedings in FORM GST REG-20, cancel registration in FORM GST REG-19, or revoke suspension and continue verification if needed.

GST assessment compliance duties for scrutiny, non-filers, cancelled registrations, and unregistered persons under Assam GST.
Assessment functions under the Assam GST Act, 2017 are directed to be actively carried out by proper officers to detect non-compliance, verify returns, and address revenue leakage through the prescribed statutory mechanisms. The instruction emphasises scrutiny of returns under section 61 for registered persons, including annual returns, with discrepancies to be communicated in the prescribed forms and pending scrutiny to be completed within the stated timelines, followed by action taken reports to the administrative office. Assessment of non-filers under section 62 is required where registered persons fail to furnish returns after notice, including taxpayers whose registration has been suspended or cancelled and who remain liable for filing final returns. Proper officers are directed to maintain lists of non-filers, proceed to best-judgment assessment in the prescribed form where returns remain unfiled, and complete the related action reporting in the specified format within the stated time. Assessment of persons covered by section 63 is addressed for unregistered persons and also for cancelled registrants who filed final returns but are found liable for additional tax. The instruction also links this framework with the centralized suspension and cancellation process, including issuance of notices, taxpayer replies, revocation of suspension where appropriate, and continuation or cancellation of proceedings depending on the response.

SB005 invoice mismatch rectification enables permanent officer-interface processing of export IGST refund claims upon payment of prescribed service fee.
The officer-interface mechanism for rectifying SB005 invoice-mismatch errors is permanently available for IGST refund claims on exports. Exporters may correct genuine data-entry mismatches between GST invoices and shipping-bill invoices for all past shipping bills, irrespective of filing date, by following the prescribed procedure and paying the specified service fee. Claims require a concordance table mapping GST invoices to shipping-bill invoices, supported by certified details of taxable value, IGST amounts and the final corrected IGST amount based on actual exports.

Virtual meetings for REITs and InvITs extended; annual and other unitholder meetings may be held via VC/OAVM.
Annual unitholder meetings due in calendar year 2021 for REITs and InvITs may be conducted via VC/OAVM until December 31, 2021, and meetings other than annual meetings may be held via VC/OAVM until June 30, 2021, subject to the procedure in Annexure I of the June 22, 2020 circular.

Faceless Penalty Scheme scope clarified: exclusions defined and penalties by Addl. CIT/JCIT and below assigned to NeAC.
Clarifies the scope of penalties under the Faceless Penalty Scheme, 2021: proceedings from the Investigation Wing, Directorate of I&CI, erstwhile DG (Risk-Assessment) or other prescribed authorities, penalties under statutes other than the Income-tax Act, and penalties imposed by officers at Commissioner/Director/Commissioner (Appeals/Appeal Unit) level and above are excluded. All remaining penalties under the Income-tax Act imposed by Additional CIT/JCIT and below are assigned to the National Faceless Assessment Centre (NeAC). The order is effective immediately.

FPI investment in defaulted bonds exempted from short-term limits and minimum residual maturity requirements under RBI directions.
FPIs are permitted to acquire NCDs/bonds under default in repayment of principal and such investments are exempted from the minimum residual maturity requirement, the short-term investment limit, and the investor limit applicable to FPI investment in corporate debt; this aligns their treatment with existing exemptions for security receipts, ARCs and approved CIRP resolution-plan instruments.

Dynamic QR Code requirement on B2C invoices: encoded payment and invoice details or recorded payment cross reference ensures compliance.
The Dynamic QR Code requirement applies to B2C tax invoices issued by registered persons exceeding the aggregate turnover threshold, excluding specified service categories and supplies treated as B2B by e invoicing. Dynamic QR Codes must contain supplier identification, payment routing, invoice number/date, total value and GST breakup, and be scannable for digital payment. An invoice is deemed compliant when it either contains the Dynamic QR Code or records a cross reference of the payment (transaction id, date/time, amount and mode), including for electronic payment flows; where payment is made after invoice issuance a Dynamic QR Code must be provided.

Provisional attachment under Section 83 protects revenue by allowing recorded, proportionate seizure of taxpayer property pending adjudication.
Guidelines prescribe that provisional attachment under Section 83 is available only during specified pending proceedings where the Commissioner, after due diligence, records an opinion that attachment is necessary to protect revenue. The Commissioner must issue a FORM GST DRC-22 with DIN, notify relevant authorities and the taxable person, consider objections and may release property by FORM GST DRC-23. Attachments should be proportionate to estimated revenue at risk, avoid unduly hampering business, prioritize immovable assets, and cease after one year or earlier upon release order; special rules apply for perishable goods and co-owned shares.

Dynamic QR Code compliance for B2C invoices permits payment cross-references, but requires QR codes for post-invoice payments.
Dynamic QR Code requirements apply to B2C invoices of registered persons whose annual aggregate turnover exceeded Rs. 500 crore in any financial year from 2017-18 onwards, subject to specified service-provider, OIDAR, and export exclusions. The QR Code must contain prescribed supplier, bank, invoice, value, and tax information and enable digital payment. Invoices may be deemed compliant where payment details are cross-referenced for digitally displayed QR Codes, alternative electronic payment modes, cash payments, pre-paid supplies, or e-commerce supplies. A Dynamic QR Code remains mandatory where payment is made after invoice issuance.

Correction of Reference Date: Circular's subject-date amended to the earlier date replacing the incorrect date.
Correction of reference date in Circular No. 07/2021-Customs: the subject-line date in the Circular dated 22.02.2021 is amended to read 29.07.2016 in place of the incorrectly stated date; this corrigendum formally notifies the administrative correction and directs reliance on the corrected date.

Online GST audit module streamlines case selection, pre-desk review, audit team assignment, reporting, and notice generation.
Online GST audit module procedures are prescribed for audit of registered persons for financial years 2017-18 and 2018-19. The module covers user ID creation by the Local Administrator, display of selected cases on officer dashboards, quarterly audit calendar generation, Pre-Desk Audit data entry, approval of the Pre-Desk Review Report by the Joint Commissioner, online remarks by the Zonal/Local Committee, audit team assignment, online recording of audit details, final report upload, and issue of notices for short payment of tax, interest and any other amount.

Town of Export Excellence designation: Noida recognised for apparel exports under Appendix 1B amendment by DGFT.
An amendment to Appendix 1B of the Handbook of Procedures 2015-20 formally notifies Noida, Uttar Pradesh, as a Town of Export Excellence for Apparel products, made under the powers of paragraph 1.03 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20 by Public Notice No. 40/2015-20.