GST Department Orders Vodafone To Pay Rs.73 Crore Penalty

GST Department Orders Vodafone To Pay Rs.73 Crore Penalty

Disagreeing with the instructions, the company intends to take action for its reversal

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) department has ordered telecom firm Vodafone Idea (Vi) to pay over Rs.73 crore, comprising tax dues with penalty and interest.

The debt-ridden company has received nine orders from various GST offices, mainly for alleged short payment of taxes and availing excess Input Tax Credit (ITC).

According to the filing, on 01 September, the GST office in Kolkata levied a penalty of Rs.33.44 crore on the company along with tax and interest demand for "the alleged tax short paid on outward supply, excess ITC availed.”

Noida GST office ordered Vi to pay Rs.26,89,94,489 along with demand and interest as applicable on 01 September for alleged "excess availment of ITC and short tax paid for FY 2019-20.”

Patna GST office levied Rs.10.94 crore fine, along with demand and interest.

Additionally, Vi received a penal order of Rs.4,211 from Chandigarh GST office, Rs.1.57 crore order from Andhra Pradesh circle, Rs.9.51 lakh from Odisha, Rs.50,000 and Rs.36,000 from Himachal Pradesh office.

However, the company maintained that it did not agree with the orders and would take appropriate action for the reversal or rectification of the orders.