Late fee or penalty if GSTR 9 not filed

[SUSHIL BANSAL]

Dear experts

plz guide,

for FY 2018-19: taxable supply was 90 lacs & zero rated supply was 130 lacs & client has not filed GSTR-9 till date. Now the case is under GST audit for 5 years (18-19,19-20,20-21,21-22,22-23). They (GST people) so far verbally told that there will be liability of late fees for not filing of GSTR-9. Plz guide how to deal with.

As per my understanding Late fees can be levied only when some compliance is made late. When compliance not at all made then there should not be any late fees. However general penalty u/s 125 may be imposed. Further plz guide whether SCN u/s 73 can be issued for late fee and if it yes then the time limit for issuing SCN u/s 73 has already expired.

Plz guide I am bit confused.

AI Summary

Debate Over Late Fees for GSTR-9 Filing: Are Penalties Automatic or Conditional? Section 125 and Limitation Issues Discussed. A discussion on a forum addresses concerns about late fees and penalties for not filing GSTR-9 for the financial year 2018-19. The client, under a five-year GST audit, has been informed verbally about potential late fees. One participant argues that late fees apply only when compliance is delayed, not when it is entirely absent, suggesting a general penalty under Section 125 instead. Another participant references a Kerala High Court judgment and asserts that late fees are automatic on the Common Portal System, and GSTR-9 is incomplete without GSTR-9C. Queries about the limitation period for imposing late fees are also raised.