The state government has approved and notified a new scheme, Himachal Pradesh Swarn Jayanti (Legacy Cases Resolution) Scheme, 2021 for pre-GST taxpayers. This scheme would help in settling, disposing off all the pending legacy cases and recover arrears stuck in cases under litigation.

The government spokesperson said the scheme is being made available for the pre-GST taxpayers to resolve the tax liability and disputes. Under the new scheme, taxpayers can pay the outstanding tax amounts due and be free from any other consequences under the Law.

Taxpayers would get substantial relief as they have to pay only settlement fee in lieu of interests and penalties. Taxpayers are struggling with compiling documents, collecting pending statutory forms and preparing reconciliations to complete assessments. Even after GST roll out, companies, industries and dealers are left with disputes of earlier regime.

Scheme will be valid for a period of six months from the publication of the scheme in the official gazette of the Himachal Pradesh.

In 1^st phase of four months the dealer is required to pay due tax alongwith settlement fee at 10 percent and in 2^nd phase of two months one hundred fifty percent (i.e.,150 percent) of the settlement  fee as applicable in the 1^st phase along with due tax.

 The stakeholders or dealers may apply under the scheme by visiting the concerned circle or district offices of the Department. The dealers will have to deposit applicable settlement fee online in relevant head of account of subsumed enactment and no manual fee will be accepted.