Unconfirmed reports have appeared in certain sections of the media that some GST officers are using unauthorised communication means such as phone calls, WhatsApp and messages asking taxpayers to discharge  'maximum tax liability' in 'cash' in order to ensure that targets for revenue collection from GST  for the financial year are met.

It is to clarify that neither the Government nor the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) have issued any such instructions to their field formations. As such, taxpayers are free to utilise the Input Tax Credit available in their credit ledger, as permissible in law, to discharge their GST dues for the month of March, 2021 – the last month of this financial year.

Input Tax Credit can be used to discharge GST liabilities; unauthorised demands for cash payment are not sanctioned. Taxpayers retain the right to discharge GST liabilities for March 2021 by utilising Input Tax Credit in their electronic credit ledger as permitted by law; reports that officers instructed payment of a maximum tax liability in cash via unauthorised communications are not sanctioned by the Government or the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.