Abatement of assessment proceedings automated via ITBA Investigation Module upon Two Hourly and Preliminary Search Reports generation.
Phase 3 of the ITBA Investigation Module provides digital recording of search and survey operations through creation of a Two Hourly Report generating a unique Search & Survey Id workitem, capture of premise level findings and seizures enabling Preliminary Search Reports, and compilation and approval workflow for Appraisal Reports which, once approved, are transmitted to assessing officers and can create pendency for assessment proceedings when the Assessment Module is active. The System also automates abatement of pending proceedings under the second proviso to section 153A upon generation of the Two Hourly and Preliminary Search Reports.

Confidentiality of FIU information: officers must not disclose FIU/STR sources, must limit requisitions, breaches invite sanction.
Information received from FIU IND is to be protected from unauthorised use and dissemination, handled only on a need to know basis, and not transferred to third parties without prior consent; the source or designation as STR must not be disclosed in communications or used as evidence in departmental or judicial proceedings. Officers should requisition only documents directly relevant to income tax investigations, avoid calling for material pertinent to other statutes, and observe heightened confidentiality for foreign intelligence; deviations will attract strict disciplinary action.

System reconciliation of GST returns mandates portal-matched adjustments to tax payable and input tax credit with ledger-based payments and interest.
System-based reconciliation aligns data from FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-2 with FORM GSTR-3B: the portal auto-populates FORM GSTR-2A and drafts FORM GSTR-3, compares tax payable and ITC, requires additional payment by debiting electronic cash or credit ledger with interest where tax payable exceeds GSTR-3B, credits excess eligible ITC to the electronic credit ledger where applicable, and carries forward unreconciled reductions to subsequent returns; returns become valid only after payment of tax as per reconciled FORM GSTR-3.

System reconciliation of GSTR returns triggers adjustments to tax payable or input tax credit and enables ledger-based payment or credit.
System-based reconciliation aligns provisional return figures with details in outward and inward supply statements; recipients may amend auto-populated inward data and corrections to the provisional return must be made via outward or inward statements. The portal auto-drafts definitive return tables, requires additional payment via electronic cash or credit ledger with interest where payable, and credits additional eligible ITC to the electronic credit ledger when established. Excess reductions in liability may be carried forward; provisional returns filed without payment remain subject to reconciliation and interest, with matching and amendment following statutory rules.

Pre-authorized bank debit suspension for specified imports requires exporters to verify clients' bank authorizations before proceeding.
Algerian banks have been directed to suspend pre-authorized direct debit instructions for imports of listed food products, finished goods and industrial equipment. Article 29 of Regulation No.07-01 requires a pre-authorized bank debit instruction for transfers, fund repatriation and customs clearance; exporters should verify with their Algerian clients that this bank formalities were completed before 4 July 2017.

Goods registration timings: Export docks to register shipping bills; inspections in two rounds and LEOs issued after examination.
Goods registration and export examination at Export Docks must follow prescribed daily registration hours and two inspection rounds, with Let Export Orders issued only after feeding of examination reports; stuffing reports must be entered the same day or, if done late, by the next morning, and supervisory officers must monitor compliance.

Deduction of Tax at Source under GST suspended pending commencement of Section 51; departments must refrain from TDS until notified.
Section 51 of the State GST statute has not been brought into force; government departments are directed not to undertake any TDS deductions under GST until the provision is notified. An earlier instruction limiting deductions to a specified date is superseded by a further deferral, and departments must instruct subordinate offices to refrain from TDS under GST until further orders.

System-based GST reconciliation aligns GSTR-3B with supply statements, requiring payment, credit adjustments, carry-forward, and interest on shortfalls.
System-based reconciliation compares tax liability and input tax credit in FORM GSTR-3B with the details furnished in FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-2, which auto-populate FORM GSTR-3. Errors in FORM GSTR-3B may be corrected through the outward- and inward-supply statements. Tax shortfalls or excess input tax credit utilised must be paid through the electronic cash or credit ledger with applicable interest, while additional eligible input tax credit is credited to the electronic credit ledger. Reduced output liability, after credit adjustment, is carried forward to the next month's return. FORM GSTR-3 becomes valid only after full tax payment.

System-based reconciliation of GST returns ensures adjustments to tax liability and ITC following auto-population and matching procedures.
System-based reconciliation aligns FORM GSTR-1 and FORM GSTR-2 with FORM GSTR-3B by auto-drafting FORM GSTR-2A and Part A of FORM GSTR-3, allowing taxpayers to correct outward and inward supplies via GSTR-1 and GSTR-2. Where reconciled tax payable exceeds payment in GSTR-3B, additional tax must be paid by debiting the electronic cash or credit ledger with interest; where eligible ITC per GSTR-2 exceeds claimed ITC, excess is credited to the electronic credit ledger. Reductions in liability are carried forward if not offset; returns are valid only after full reconciled payment and statutory matching procedures apply.

Electronic self-sealing for exporters requires ISO compliant RFID one time seals and immutable shipment data transmission to customs.
Exporters eligible for self-sealing must declare the RFID e-seal physical serial number at filing, procure ISO compliant one time bolt RFID seals from certified vendors, and tag immutable shipment data via the vendor's web/mobile application. Vendors must self certify ISO conformance, submit certifications and seal series to customs risk and ports, transmit seal and shipment data to customs and destination ports/ICDs, provide reader scanners at ports/ICDs at their cost, and integrate their data servers with the customs gateway. Customs will verify seal integrity and conduct mandatory examination if tampering is detected.

GSP certification authorization: APEDA authorized to issue GSP and non preferential Certificates of Origin under FTP appendices.
APEDA is authorized under paragraph 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-2020 to issue GSP Certificates and Certificates of Origin (Non Preferential), and its name is added to Appendix 2C (Agencies Authorized to issue GSP Certification) and to Appendix 2E (List of Agencies Authorized to issue Certificate of Origin (Non Preferential)) of the FTP appendices.

Extension of TRQ export deadline for preferential sugar shipments to USA extends permitted export period under FTP.
The Director General of Foreign Trade, under Paragraph 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, amends an earlier public notice to extend the last date for export of the TRQ-allocated raw sugar to the United States for the referenced US fiscal allocation, while retaining all other previously notified terms and conditions applicable to those exports.

Contract registration relaxation allows import contracts with prior advance payments to be registered under amended import policy.
Contracts for import of Pigeon Peas/Toor Dal with advance payment made prior to 5 August 2017 may be registered by the jurisdictional Regional Authorities headed by Additional DGFTs if a contract/purchase invoice and bank certified payment details showing the import purpose are produced; registrations require verification and Head of Office approval and must be filed within the prescribed short term window with payment of the specified application fee.

Credit rating requirement for IFSC listed debt securities expanded to include FATF jurisdiction agencies, with custodial and IFRS reporting obligations.
The amendments permit credit ratings for IFSC listed debt securities from agencies registered with the Board or in FATF member jurisdictions; require issuers to contract with a depository or custodian registered in a FATF jurisdiction and disclose that appointment in the information memorandum; and mandate financial statements prepared in IFRS/US GAAP (or local standards with a quantitative summary of material differences from IFRS) for entities issuing or listing debt securities in IFSC.

Issuance and listing of IFSC debt securities require exchange prescribed eligibility, FATF jurisdiction limits, and SEBI approved frameworks.
Stock exchanges in IFSC must prescribe issuer eligibility and issue requirements for debt securities issued in IFSC and submit these frameworks and any changes to SEBI for approval; exchanges must also prescribe initial and continuous listing requirements including corporate governance and submit them to SEBI. Debt securities issued outside IFSC may be listed only if issued in and by issuers resident in FATF member jurisdictions, with issuers entering listing agreements. Trading and OTC trades must be cleared and settled through IFSC clearing corporations, reported on one IFSC exchange reporting platform within fifteen minutes, and clearing frameworks submitted to SEBI. Persons resident in India are restricted from investing in specified IFSC debt securities except as permitted by the Reserve Bank of India.

Dynamic price bands for currency options must follow a uniform computation and guarded relaxation to prevent market manipulation.
Directs stock exchanges to implement a dynamic price band mechanism for EUR INR, GBP INR and JPY INR currency option contracts based on theoretical prices, with a uniform computation and relaxation process that considers underlying price movement, volatility, currency news, and cross market behaviour, and that prevents misuse for manipulation. Exchanges and clearing corporations must submit approval proposals including contract specifications, risk management and surveillance frameworks, implement systems and rule amendments, notify market participants, and report implementation status to the regulator.

Indian Customs EDI (ICES 1.5) at ICD Madho Singh enables electronic filing and automated processing of import and export clearances.
ICES 1.5 is launched at ICD Madhosingh to enable centralized electronic filing and automated processing of import Bills of Entry and export Shipping Bills. The system requires preregistration of IE Codes, customs brokers, shipping lines and DGFT licences; supports data entry via service centres or remote ICEGATE filing with digital signatures; assigns B/E/SB numbers on submission; performs automated validation, appraisal (including RMS facilitation), audit, and generates assessed copies and TR 6 challans; mandates bond/licence registration and centralized ledgers for DEPB/EPCG/other schemes; and requires duty payment (including e payment) through the designated bank prior to out of charge.

Tax evasion prevention at state borders through effective enforcement, vigilance, and reporting to protect revenue.
Action is directed to prevent tax evasion and corruption at the State borders, with effective enforcement measures to ensure that no tax evasion occurs. The concerned tax administration must also keep the Government informed of the action taken. The instruction emphasizes border-level vigilance, enforcement, and reporting in the interest of revenue protection.

GST on accommodation tariffs: taxable on actual amount charged; declared tariff determines the applicable rate slab.
Declared or published tariff determines the GST slab for accommodation services but GST is payable on the actual amount charged (transaction value); where multiple declared tariffs exist the highest declared tariff for the relevant season/place governs slab determination. Casino admission and gambling/betting services are taxable at the recreational entertainment rate, with tax computed on gross admission receipts and total bet value; horse-race betting is taxable on entire bet value. Declared prices exclude taxes; religious ceremonies by temples and in-patient room rent are exempt; composite supplies take the rate of the principal supply.

Late presentation charges should not apply where ICEGATE failures cause delay; officers must grant relief in bona fide cases.
Clarification addresses late presentation charges under section 46 where ICEGATE technical failures prevent timely filing of Bills of Entry. The Board states importers should not be penalised for system-caused delay and that levy of charges depends on existence of sufficient cause to the satisfaction of the proper officer. Additional/Joint Commissioners must judiciously exercise discretion to grant relief in bona fide cases and Chief Commissioners should issue standing orders to identify non attributable delays and prevent undue hardship.