TMI BlogAppeals and Review Mechanism under GSTX X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ters on the exercise of that right. The time limits prescribed by the statute for filing of appeals and the requirement of pre-deposit of a certain sum before the appeal can be heard by the competent authority are examples of such fetters on the statutory right. GST being implemented in our country is a dual GST i.e. to say every supply attracting the levy will be leviable to both central tax and state tax. So does this mean that if a taxpayer is aggrieved by any such transaction, he will have to approach both the authorities for exercising his right of appeal? The answer is a plain NO. The Act makes provisions for cross empowerment between CGST and SGST/UTGST officers so as to ensure that if a proper officer of one Act (say CGST) passes an order with respect to a transaction, he will also act as the proper officer of SGST for the same transaction and issue the order with respect to the CGST as well as the SGST/UTGST component of the same transaction. The Act also provides that where a proper officer under one Act(say CGST) has passed an order, any appeal/review/revision/rectification against the said order will lie only with the proper officers of that Act only (CGST Act)So also i ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... ainst the proposed order and the order is passed within the time limit specified under section 73 or Section 74 of the CGST Act, 2017. The Order-in-appeal has to be a speaking order i.e. it should state the points for determination, the decision thereon and the reasons for the decision. The law provides an advisory time limit of 1 year from date of filing of appeal for the AA to decide the appeal. Appeals before Tribunal The Tribunal is the second level of appeal , where appeals can be filed against the orders-in-appeal passed by the AA or order in revision passed by revisional authority, by any person aggrieved by such an order-in-appeal/Order in revision. The law envisages constitution of a two tier Tribunal i.e. National Bench/Regional Benches and the State Bench/ Area Benches. Jurisdiction of the two constituents of the GST Tribunal is also defined. If place of supply is one of the issues in dispute, then the National Bench/ Regional benches of the Tribunal will have jurisdiction to hear the appeal. If the dispute relates to issues other than the place of supply, then the State/Area Benches will have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal. An appeal from the decis ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... appellant must first deposit the adjudged dues before his further appeal can be heard. However, often an appellant may succeed in his appeal, and hence it would (in retrospect) be unfair to saddle him with this financial burden. To balance these factors, tax laws mandate some pre-deposit so as to discourage frivolous appeals and also safeguard the bonafide interests of both the taxpayers and the revenue. The CGST Act, 2017 require an appellant before AA to pre-deposit full amount of tax, interest, fine, fee and penalty, as is admitted by him, arising from the impugned order and a sum equal to 10% of the remaining amount of tax in dispute arising from the impugned order. In so far as appeals to the Tribunal is concerned, no appeal can be filed before the Tribunal unless the appellant has deposited in full, such part of the amount of tax, interest, fine, fee and penalty arising from the impugned order, as is admitted by him, and a sum equal to 20% of the remaining amount of tax in dispute, in addition to the amount deposited before the AA , arising from the said order, in relation to which appeal has been filed. If the pre-deposit made by the appellant before the AA ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... it and after giving the person concerned an opportunity of being heard and after making such further inquiry as may be necessary, pass such order, as he thinks just and proper, including enhancing or modifying or annulling the said decision or order. The above power is subject to the condition that non-appealable orders and decision cannot be revised. Further the power of revision cannot be exercised if: - (a) the order has been subject to an appeal before AA or Tribunal or High Court or Supreme Court; or (b) the period of six months (from the date of communication of order) has not yet expired or more than three years have expired after the passing of the decision or order sought to be revised; or (c) the order has already been taken for revision at an earlier stage; or (d) the order sought to be revised is a revisional order in the first place: If the said decision or order involves an issue on which the Appellate Tribunal or the High Court has given its decision in some other proceedings and an appeal to the High Court or the Supreme Court against such decision of the Appellate Tribunal or the High Court is pending, the period spent between the date of ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X ..... at question, and the appeal shall be heard only on the question so formulated. However, the High Court has the power to hear the appeal on any other substantial question of law if it is satisfied that the case involves such question. The High Court shall decide the questions of law so formulated and deliver such judgment thereon containing the grounds on which such decision is founded and may award such cost as it deems fit. The High Court may determine any issue which has not been determined by the Tribunal or has been wrongly determined by the Tribunal, by reason of a decision on such questions of law. Appeal to the Supreme Court The law provides for appeals to the Supreme Court from any judgment or order passed by the High Court, in any case which, on its own motion or on an oral application made by or on behalf of the party aggrieved, immediately after passing of the judgment or order, the High Court certifies to be a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court. A (direct) appeal shall also lie to the Supreme Court from any orders passed by the National/Regional Bench of the Tribunal. It may be noted that the National/Regional Bench of the Tribunal has jurisdiction to en ..... X X X X Extracts X X X X X X X X Extracts X X X X
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