New Delhi: The 57th GST Council meeting has been postponed for the second time and will now be held on October 8, a day later than its latest scheduled date, with the Council expected to consider a range of reforms aimed at easing compliance for businesses and improving the GST framework.

The GST Council Secretariat, in an office memorandum, cited “unavoidable circumstances” for the latest rescheduling.

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Chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising finance ministers from the states and Union Territories, the Council is expected to deliberate on changes to GST registration, returns and refund procedures, besides measures to improve the flow of input tax credit and reduce compliance time and costs.

Among the proposals likely to come up are reforms to GST dispute resolution and possible changes aimed at simplifying compliance for businesses, including e-commerce suppliers.

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According to sources, the Council may also consider proposals to decriminalise certain GST offences and remove the power of tax officers to authorise arrests in specified cases. However, these proposals remain subject to deliberation and a final decision by the Council.

The meeting was originally scheduled for September 12 but was postponed to October 7 due to the BRICS Summit hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12–13. The latest postponement has now pushed the meeting to October 8.

The proposed reforms assume significance for businesses as the government seeks to make the GST regime more predictable, reduce compliance burdens and address issues affecting tax refunds, disputes and input tax credit.

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