GST Return Filing: Modi government takes big step, allows this in Form GSTR-3B

According to a latest notification issued by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), any registered person during the period from the April 21, 2020 to June 30, 2020, will be allowed to furnish the return under section 39 in Form GSTR-3B verified through electronic verification code (EVC).
 
What it means is that the Modi government has allowed businesses to verify the return through EVC till June 30, keeping in view the requirement of digital signature delaying monthly GST return filings and tax payment.
 
Currently, businesses are required to digitally sign GSTR-3B form while filing monthly return and paying taxes. However, with offices shut due to the lockdown, businesses are unable to generate digital signature which has led to delay in filing returns.
 
New rule in Central GST rules 
 
Further, the CBIC has also introduced a new rule in Central GST rules stipulating furnishing of 'Nil' return by short messaging service (SMS) facility. This mean businesses with nil or no entry in all the tables in form GSTR-3B can file return through SMS using the registered mobile number and the said return will be verified by a registered mobile number based one time password (OTP) facility.
 
The low collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in April has forced the government to defer the release of monthly GST revenue data on May 1.
 
Meanwhile, retirement fund body EPFO on Wednesday allowed employers to register their digital signatures online through e-mail. Currently, authorised persons of employers have to go to the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) offices to get their digital signatures registered.
 
In the current scenario of the lockdown and other disruptions, employers are not able to function normally and are facing problems in using their digital signatures or Aadhaar-based e-sign on EPFO portal, a statement by labour ministry said.