57th GST Council Meeting Outcomes

 The 57th GST Council met in New Delhi on 8 October 2026. Its recommendations focus on registration, returns, refunds and disputes: withdrawal of GST arrest powers, a higher prosecution threshold, wider input tax credit (ITC), automated refunds, easier e-commerce registration and fewer low-value proceedings. 

P&H HC provides guidelines for invoking Section 16(2)(c) while upholding its constitutional validity

 This Tax Alert summarizes a recent ruling of the Punjab & Haryana High Court (HC) ^[1] on the constitutionality of Section 16(2)(c) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act), which imposes condition of supplier making payment of tax to the Government for eligibility of input tax credit (ITC) in the hands of recipient.

The key observations of the HC are:

Recent GSTAT and Advance Ruling Developments: Key Takeaways for Taxpayers

 Recent decisions of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) and Advance Ruling Authorities provide important guidance on input tax credit (ITC), interest liability, and tax treatment of capital-raising expenses. These rulings clarify several contentious issues while also highlighting areas where litigation is likely to continue.

TAX DUE DATE- OCTOBER 2026

 

S. No	Due Date	Related to	Compliance to be made
1	11.10.2026	GST	Filing of GSTR 1 for the month of September, 2026
2	13.10.2026	GST	Filing for the month of Sept 2026
3	20.10.2026	GST	-Payment of GST for the month of September, 2026 -Filing of GSTR 3B for the month of September, 2026
4	25.10.2026	GST	ITC 04 (Job work) for the half year ended Sept 2026
5	07.10.2026	TDS/TCS (Income Tax)	· Deposit TDS for payments of Salary, Interest, Commission or Brokerage, Rent, Professional fee, payment to Contractors, etc. during the month of September 2026. · Deposit TDS from Salaries deducted during the month of September 2026 Deposit TCS for collections made under section 394 including sale of scrap during the month of Sep 2026 if any Deliver a copy of Form 121(15G/15H), if any to CCIT or CIT for declarations received in the month of Sep 2026, if any
5	31.10.2026	TDS Return	·       Filing of 2nd Quarter (1st July to 30th  September) TDS return.
6	15.10.2026	TCS Return	·       Filing of 2nd Quarter (1st July to 30th  September) TCS return.
7	31.10.2026	Tax Audit	Filing of Audit Reports 3CA, 3CD, 3CEB for the Financial Year 2025-26
8	31.10.2026	Income tax	Filing of income tax return for the Corporate assesses (or) non-corporate assesses (Whose books of accounts are required to be audited U/s 44AB of IT act 1961 (or) working partner (of a firm whose books of accounts required to be audit (in case of Assesses not having international or specified domestic transaction).

Emerging Themes from 2026 GST Litigation

The 2026 GST decisions reveal several consistent judicial trends:

Greater Emphasis on Natural Justice

The courts have repeatedly stressed that tax authorities must strictly adhere to procedural safeguards. Whether in the context of Show Cause Notices, valuation disputes or appellate remedies, the judiciary has emphasized fairness and transparency. [taxbymanis...ogspot.com], [taxbymanis...ogspot.com]

Bonus Preference Shares: A New Route for Unlocking Surplus Reserves

 Introduction

Several prominent listed companies, including Siyaram Silk Mills, TVS Motor Company, and Sundaram-Clayton, have recently adopted an innovative mechanism for rewarding shareholders and optimising capital structure through the issuance of bonus redeemable preference shares under schemes sanctioned by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). 

When the CFO Leaves, Who Owns the Digital Keys?

- CA SAKSHI AGARWAL  

 Let’s start with a small story in this regard. Client B, a rapidly growing mid-sized manufacturing firm, recently faced the sudden and less-than-amicable exit of their CFO, Mr. A. Over his five-year tenure, Mr. A had become the absolute nerve center of the company’s financial and regulatory ecosystem. He handled everything: MCA filings, GST portal access, income tax e-filing, and primary banking authorizations.

 

FAQs issued by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation on implementation of the revised Provident Fund wage ceiling

 We are pleased to share our latest EY Alert on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) issued by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) regarding the implementation of the revised Provident Fund wage ceiling from INR15,000 to INR25,000 per month, effective 17 September 2026.

5 GST Judgments in 2026 Every Business Should Know

 The year 2026 has already witnessed several landmark GST decisions that are reshaping the contours of tax litigation and compliance in India. These rulings highlight an emerging judicial trend: tax authorities must act strictly within the powers granted by law.  

Supreme Court Ruling on GST SCNs – A Landmark Clarification

In M/s G.R. Infra Projects Ltd. v. State of Madhya Pradesh (Civil Appeal No. 11277/2026), the Supreme Court has delivered a ruling that reshapes GST litigation:

🔑 Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Fraud / Willful Misstatement / Suppression must be evident in the SCN itself.
Mechanical use of these words is insufficient. Without specific allegations, the SCN is unsustainable. This effectively nullifies the Madras High Court’s view in Fastenex Limited (Section 74 batch matter).
2️⃣ Limitation period extended due to COVID suo moto orders.
For AY 2018‑19, the last date for issuance of notice stood extended till 28.02.2025, partially upholding the Madras High Court’s Tata Play ruling.
3️⃣ Important Note:
The Supreme Court did not consider Notification No. 56/2023 while deciding limitation. Despite this, the Court has categorically held the due date as 28.02.2025.
📌 Impact:
Reinforces taxpayer protection by requiring SCNs to contain clear fraud allegations.
Clarifies the interplay of Sections 73 & 74 of the CGST Act.
Establishes binding precedent on limitation extensions due to extraordinary circumstances.
Leaves open questions on how Notification No. 56/2023 will interplay with this ruling in future disputes.
⚖️ A judgment that will influence GST litigation strategy, compliance, and departmental action for years to come

Full ITC Principle Continues to Strengthen GST Valuation Framework

 One of the most significant developments under GST valuation jurisprudence has been the consistent recognition that where the recipient is eligible for full Input Tax Credit (ITC), disputes regarding valuation become largely revenue neutral. Over the years, advance rulings, CBIC circulars, and judicial pronouncements have progressively reinforced this principle.