GST officer stripped of arrest powers: Fine for irregularities above Rs 5 crore, not even notice for tax evasion of less than Rs 10,000

Tax officials will no longer be able to directly arrest those who commit tax evasion or irregularities worth less than Rs 5 crore. This decision was taken in the 53rd meeting of the GST Council chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday.

In the meeting, the minimum limit of criminal case in GST cases has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore. That means, irregularities of less than Rs 5 crore can be resolved only by paying fine.

Apart from this, no notice will be given to the businessman for tax evasion of less than Rs 10,000. The Council has also made rules easier for small shopkeepers selling goods online, although no changes have been made in the existing tax slab or rate structure.

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