GST Council meeting: Arresting powers of tax officers scrapped, prosecution threshold raised to Rs 5 crore

GST Council has removed power of arrest of tax officers and the Council has raised the threshold for prosecution from one crore rupees to 5 crore rupees. The punishment, whether fine or imprisonment or both, has been left to judicial discretion in every case. A taxpayer who files late, makes a mistake or falls behind on payment will face recovery, interest and a proportionate penalty.
 
 
Addressing media following GST Council meeting in New Delhi this evening, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said no rate changes has been made in GST Council meeting and the rate structure is settled. She said that GST Council today has recommended common standards for notices and proceedings and no notices below the prescribed monetary threshold of ten thousand rupees, including withdrawal of pending notices below the said threshold. She said notices will not be issued for monetary thresholds of 10,000 rupees or below.