Seminar on GST Amnesty Scheme and trader welfare initiatives
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala state goods and services tax (GST) department, in collaboration with the Traders Welfare Board, will organise a seminar on Wednesday to discuss the 2025-26 Amnesty Scheme and welfare initiatives for traders.
The scheme, announced by finance minister K N Balagopal in the 2025-26 state budget, includes four categories: general amnesty, flood cess amnesty, bar hotel amnesty, and distillery arrears settlement. The general amnesty allows settlement of arrears under pre-GST laws such as Kerala VAT, sales tax, luxury tax and others. Eligible beneficiaries can avail significant waivers on interest and penalties, with tax dues categorised into three slabs.
The seminar will also feature help desks to address trader queries. Key officials, including additional chief secretary K R Jyothilal, SGST commissioner Ajit Patil, Traders Welfare Board vice chairmen Raju Apsara and E S Biju, and special commissioner Abraham Renn S will address participants.
The amnesty schemes, which came into effect on April 1, 2025, will conclude on June 30. Payments must be made through www.treasury.kerala.gov.in, and application details uploaded via www.keralataxes.gov.in.
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