Digital Goa, Feb 29 – State government has waived off pre-GST arrears amounting to Rs 48.5 cr of around 16,400 odd traders under the one-time settlement(OTS) scheme, informed CM Pramod Sawant today. Traders can download their waiver certificate from the portal. https://goagst.gov.in/ . With the objective of moving ahead in the GST (goods and services tax) regime with lesser baggage of arrears and litigations, the state govt had launched the OTS scheme in October 2023. Last date to clear pending dues to seek benefits under the scheme is March 7, 2024, no further extension will be granted, CM added. The OTS has been offered under the Goa (Recovery of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty, Other Dues through Settlement) Act, 2023 (Goa Act 34 of 2023) or the GRATIPOS Act. Under the Act dealers were asked to apply for settling dues for the period of assessments up to June 30, 2017 under the Central Sales Tax Act, Goa Sales Tax Act, Goa Tax on Luxuries Act, Goa Entertainment Tax Act, and Goa Tax On Entry of Goods Act. Under the OTS scheme, for settlement of old VAT and other dues, for undisputed cases the benefits offered are 20% rebate in tax dues and 100% rebate in interest, penalty, other dues. For disputed cases, 50 % rebate in tax dues and 100 % rebate in interest, penalty, other dues is offered.
