53rd GST Council Meeting likely to reduce Pre-Deposit for Appeals to 7%

The GST Council plans to meet on June 22 to discuss reducing the initial tax appeal deposit from 10% to 7% of the contested amount. It will also consider an amnesty scheme for pre-GST tax disputes and mandating biometric-based Aadhaar authentication for high-risk GST registration applicants. If approved, the amnesty scheme could be part of the upcoming budget, aiming to resolve old tax issues smoothly. Businesses advocate for this to alleviate court burdens. The Council may review pre-deposit procedures and enhance scrutiny for high-risk taxpayers. Biometric Aadhaar authentication, piloted successfully in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry, may extend nationwide to curb fraudulent registrations.