<h4><strong>Introduction</strong></h4><p>The <strong>Ministry of Finance</strong> issued <strong>Circular No. 138/08/2020-GST</strong> on <strong>May 6, 2020</strong>, addressing <strong>compliance challenges faced by taxpayers due to COVID-19</strong>. The circular provides <strong>extensions and clarifications</strong> on GST provisions related to <strong>Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) procedures, merchant exporter timelines, job work reporting, and return filing deadlines</strong>.</p><hr><h3><strong>Key Highlights</strong></h3><h3><strong>1. GST Registration Extension for IRP/RP Under IBC</strong></h3><ul><li>Insolvency Resolution Professionals (IRP) or Resolution Professionals (RP) were <strong>originally required to obtain a new GST registration within 30 days</strong> of appointment.</li><li><strong>Now extended till June 30, 2020, or within 30 days of appointment, whichever is later</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>2. No Fresh GST Registration for Compliant Corporate Debtors</strong></h3><ul><li>If a <strong>corporate debtor has already filed GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B before the IRP/RP appointment</strong>, <strong>no fresh GST registration</strong> is required.</li><li>The new <strong>registration requirement applies only to defaulters</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>3. GST Registration Handling for IRP to RP Transitions</strong></h3><ul><li>If an <strong>IRP is replaced by an RP</strong>, the <strong>same GSTIN can be transferred</strong> without requiring a <strong>new registration</strong>.</li><li><strong>Only a change in authorized signatory is needed</strong>, which can be updated through the <strong>GST portal or tax officer</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>4. Extension for Merchant Exporter Compliance</strong></h3><ul><li>Under <strong>Notification No. 40/2017</strong>, merchant exporters must <strong>export goods within 90 days</strong> of receiving them.</li><li>If the <strong>90-day period falls between March 20 - June 29, 2020</strong>, the <strong>deadline is extended to June 30, 2020</strong>.</li></ul><hr><h3><strong>5. Extension of ITC-04 Filing for Job Work</strong></h3><ul><li><strong>Form GST ITC-04</strong>, required for reporting goods sent to <strong>job workers</strong>, was due <strong>April 25, 2020</strong>.</li><li>The deadline is now <strong>extended to June 30, 2020</strong>.<a href="https://cms.plasament.com/storage/nisha/circular-refund-138-8-2020.pdf">circular_refund_138_8_2020</a><br> </li></ul>