In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the time limit for filing annual returns has been extended till February 28, 2021 instead of the ordinary December 31, 2020 under Section 44 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act .
A petition raised in the Bombay HC seeking further extension of the due date was rejected on the basis that the the filing of annual return has already been made optional for businesses falling in the bracket of turnover up to rs 2 crore for the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019- 20.
In any case of delay of filing returns on the same, a late fee amounting to Rs. 200 per day can be charged subject to a ceiling of 0.25% of the company's total turnover in the respective state/Union Territory.
