Latest news with #CommercialTaxDepartment
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Authority to determine to GST is Centre: Minister
Mandya: District N Cheluvarayaswamy on Wednesday emphasised that the authority to determine Goods and Services Tax (GST) rests solely with the Union govt. "Imposing taxes on small traders will create unnecessary hardship. It is the Centre's responsibility to address and correct this," he said. Responding to BJP's criticism regarding the issuance of notices to traders by the Commercial Tax Department, Cheluvarayaswamy dismissed the opposition's comments. "The BJP has neither achievements from the past nor a vision for the future. Their remarks are baseless and lack humanity. The Commercial Tax Department is acting in accordance with Union govt directives," he contended. The minister also addressed accusations of biased MLA fund distribution. "Every MLA was allotted Rs 50 crore. This allocation isn't linked to the upcoming Assembly session. Even BJP MLAs received Rs 25 crore. When the BJP was in power, Congress MLAs were given nothing. At least now, everyone received some support," he stated. On BJP's allegation that the state govt is misleading the public by forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the Dharmasthala case, Cheluvarayaswamy said, "The SIT was formed following demands from various organisations and activists. There's nothing wrong with launching an investigation—it helps prevent speculation. The BJP is needlessly politicising the issue. I will not entertain their accusations. "
Mint
6 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Siddaramaiah clarifies GST notices linked to UPI payments: ‘Old tax arrears won't be taken if…'
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, July 23, clarified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) notices to small and micro traders, saying the state government would not pursue tax notices issued to traders for arrears on exempted goods and services over the past three years. Siddaramaiah said the old tax arrears, linked to the UPI payments, 'will not be pursued, provided all such traders register under the GST and begin paying GST moving forward,' PTI mentioned. Asserting that 'there was a confusion', Siddaramaiah said the Central government has decided to impose a one per cent tax on these individuals. Following this, traders agreed to call off their planned strike on July 25 in the city. The protest had been triggered by tax notices linked to Unified Payment Interface (UPI) transactions, with traders in parts of Bengaluru and across Karnataka 'calling for a boycott of UPI payments.' Also Read | Wait, What! Vegetable trader gets ₹ 29 lakh GST notice in Haveri, Karnataka 'I called a meeting with small traders and others to discuss the issue of notices being issued to small traders, as notices were being issued to those with a turnover of more than ₹ 40 lakh. Around 9,000 notices were issued,' Siddaramaiah said. Siddaramaiah also emphasised that the traders must register with the Commercial Tax Department. 'The Central government has decided to impose a one per cent tax on these individuals... There was confusion among small traders about this…We will not collect taxes from traders dealing in exempted goods, even if notices have been issued. I have also instructed officials not to pursue cases related to notices for clearing arrears from the past two to three years," he said. "Traders must register. Registration is mandatory because everyone needs to be brought within the tax net," he said. The chief minister also clarified that there was no need for registration for exempted goods. "There is no need to register with the Commercial Taxes Department for exempted goods. We will not take any action regarding such notices," the chief minister reiterated.
India Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
GST notices aimed to ensure compliance, not harass small traders: Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday assured small traders that the state government will support them in addressing concerns over GST notices, after an unprecedented protest by bakeries and condiment stores disrupted tea and milk sales across the a meeting at his residence with representatives of trade unions and the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), Siddaramaiah addressed grievances about tax notices issued to small vendors for non-payment of Chief Minister clarified that the notices were sent only to those whose UPI transactions exceeded Rs 40 lakh, primarily to prompt GST registration, and that traders dealing exclusively in exempt goods like milk, vegetables, meat, and fruits would not be taxed. The meeting followed a symbolic protest earlier in the day, where bakeries and condiment shops stopped serving tea, coffee, and milk. Vendors wore black badges and only served black tea or coffee to signal dissent, accusing the Commercial Tax Department of unfairly targeting them based on digital payment activist Ravi Shetty, who joined protesters at a bakery, said, 'No bakery is selling milk today. We are wearing black bands to express our anger.'Traders complained that GST notices often wrongly included personal transactions and loan amounts, causing panic among vendors, many of whom have now switched to 'cash-only' sales or put up 'No UPI' bodies urged the government to let vendors resolve issues directly with the Commercial Tax Department, provide a one-time waiver on old tax arrears, launch a helpline, and run awareness campaigns to explain GST rules promised that old arrears would not be pursued if traders register under GST and begin paying due taxes going forward. He also announced an enhanced helpline for better Chief Minister said that the state, which ranks second nationally in GST collection and shares half the revenue with the Centre, remains committed to lawful yet supportive operations. After his assurance of transparent and fair treatment, trade bodies agreed to withdraw their call for a bandh on July 25.'We are here to help traders comply with the law and sustain their businesses. No undue harassment will be tolerated,' Siddaramaiah said, emphasising that the government would empower small vendors and boost purchasing power through various programs.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
News18
8 hours ago
- Business
- News18
‘Won't Go For Tax Recovery': Karnataka CM After Vendors Get GST Notices For UPI Transactions
Last Updated: Karnataka vendors had called for boycott of UPI transactions and announced a protest on July 25. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reacted to the development. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday clarified that the state government would not recover taxes from street vendors selling exempted goods and services. This comes after a section of small and micro traders across the state objected to receiving GST notices linked to their UPI transactions. Several traders' associations appealed to these businesses to boycott the UPI transactions and announced a statewide strike on July 25. Siddaramaiah said that the traders have agreed to drop the protest that was called on July 25. 'Even if notices have been issued, we won't go for tax recovery. Traders have agreed to drop the protest called on 25th. We have asked for compulsory registration," the Chief Minister said. Small vendors and traders across the state raised serious concerns after getting GST notices from the commercial tax department for UPI-based transactions that exceeded Rs 40 lakh annually. They had urged the government to revoke these notices and demanded a relaxation in the enforcement of these rules for small-scale vendors. He also extended the BJP's support to the protest called by the traders across the state. 'The Commercial Tax Department issuing GST notices to small and micro traders has sparked widespread concern. These traders are deeply worried, while the chief minister and his ministers are attempting to shift the blame on the Centre," Vijayendra said. He also pointed out Siddaramaiah's earlier public statement that 'Karnataka must surpass Maharashtra to become number one in GST collection". The BJP leader said that the Chief Minister had set revenue targets for officials. 'At a time when the state coffers are empty, the CM is pressuring tax officials to issue recovery notices. I urge the chief minister to immediately halt the issuance of these notices to small and micro traders and to withdraw those already served," he said. (With inputs from agencies) view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 17:08 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
14 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Karnataka bakeries suspend tea, coffee, milk sales in protest against GST notices
Bakeries and condiment stores across Karnataka stopped serving tea, coffee, and milk on Wednesday in a symbolic protest against tax notices issued to small-scale vendors by the Commercial Tax Department. Small traders wore black badges and suspended beverage sales for the day, accusing the department of unfairly targeting activist Ravi Shetty, speaking from one of the protest sites, said, 'Today we are wearing black bands on our arms. No bakery is selling milk. Only black tea will be available as a mark of protest.'advertisementThe protest largely affected beverage counters in bakeries and condiment shops, while all other commercial activity continued as usual. In some outlets, only black tea and black coffee were served to customers, signalling the traders' dissent. The agitation comes amid growing resentment from small vendors over the department's recent GST notices. Traders have warned of intensified protests if the notices are not response to the unrest, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called a meeting at his residence at 3 pm today to discuss the issue with representatives of the small sweeping enforcement drive has triggered panic among small vendors across the state, many of whom have now switched to 'cash-only' crackdown, based on data from UPI and other digital payment platforms between FY 2021–22 and FY 2024–25, has led to notices being issued to traders whose digital receipts alone crossed Rs 20 lakh (for services) or Rs 40 lakh (for goods).Officials clarified that the mode of payment, UPI or cash, doesn't matter, and total turnover, including cash sales, is what off guard, many vendors in Bengaluru and beyond, including tea stalls, bakeries, and market shops, have put up 'No UPI' signs, fearing tax liabilities running into lakhs or crores. Trader associations have called for a statewide bandh on July 25, 2025, protesting what they allege are excessive and arbitrary tax such trader, Shankargouda Hadimani, a vegetable seller from Haveri, said he was shocked to receive a notice demanding Rs 29 lakh in GST after officials calculated his UPI transactions over four years at Rs 1.63 crore. Shankargouda, who only sells fresh vegetables, which are exempt from GST, said he files his taxes regularly and now doesn't know how he can arrange such a huge sum.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Karnataka
