States » SouthPosted at: Jun 19 2025 9:25AM


Taxpayers contribute to development of nation: Additional CS KR Jyothilal

Thiruvananthapuram, June 19 (UNI) Taxpayers contributed significantly to the development of the nation, and the amnesty schemes provided good opportunities for them to settle arrears, Kerala's Additional Chief Secretary (Taxes) KR Jyothilal said.
The General Amnesty scheme introduced in Kerala was envisaged as a comprehensive measure for enabling businesses to settle the arrears relating to various tax laws that existed before the implementation of the SGST Act, the Additional CS said.
Urging the participants to make use of the opportunity, Jyothilal said the government wanted to work with taxpayers and reduce their burden.
The budget, presented by K.N. Balagopal in the State Assembly in February 2025, had announced four categories of amnesty: general amnesty, flood cess amnesty, bar hotel amnesty and distillery arrears settlement scheme.
The amnesty schemes that came into effect on April 1, 2025, have imparted an impetus to the trade sector in the state. The deadline for the schemes, which offered attractive concessions, would expire on June 30.
The SGST Department had also set up help desks to clear the queries regarding the Amnesty Scheme 2025 and various welfare schemes being implemented for the trade sector as part of the seminar.
The General Amnesty scheme provided an opportunity for settling arrears dating back to the period of previous tax laws like the Kerala Value Added Tax Act, the Kerala General Sales Tax Act, the Kerala Surcharge on Taxes Act, the Kerala Agricultural Income Tax Act, the Kerala Tax on Luxuries Tax Act and the Central Sales Tax Act.
The beneficiaries availing the General Amnesty schemes are entitled to a certain percentage of deduction on tax arrears, besides getting a complete waiver of the penal charges and interest. The scheme operates under three slabs based on the quantum of arrears.
The arrears can be paid through the e-treasury portal www.treasury.kerala.gov.in, and the details of the payment, including the challan, along with the online application, shall be submitted through the SGST department’s website www.keralataxes.gov.in on or before June 30, 2025.
Abraham Renn S, IRS, Special Commissioner, State GST Department, briefed the participants on the salient features of the schemes. R Sreelakshmi, IAS, Additional Commissioner, SGST Department, also spoke.
Raju Apsara, Vice Chairman, Traders Welfare Board and state president of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti (KVVES); E. S. Biju, Vice Chairman, Traders Welfare Board and state general secretary of Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Samiti (KVVS); and Vineeth Krishna U, CEO, Traders Welfare Board, also attended.
Arrears of flood cess for the period from August 2019 to July 2021 are also eligible for waiver of interest and penalty if arrears are settled under the Amnesty Scheme and payment details are informed to the assessing authority.
Bar hotels are also eligible for a waiver of penalty and 50% of the interest on turnover tax arrears for the period from 2005-06 to 2020-21, provided they pay the full amount of turnover tax, cess, and 50% of the interest through the e-Treasury portal and submit the payment details to the assessing authority.
KR Jyothilal said this while addressing a seminar on the Amnesty Scheme announced in the state budget for 2025-26 and the welfare schemes for traders here. The seminar was organised by the Kerala Goods and Services Tax Department, in association with the Traders Welfare Board.
UNI DS ARN
Tags: #Taxpayers contribute to development of nation: Additional CS KR Jyothilal
More News
Kerala CM to launch 'My Family, Drug-Free Family' campaign

Kerala CM to launch 'My Family, Drug-Free Family' campaign

19 Jun 2025 | 12:12 PM

Thiruvananthapuram, June 19 (UNI) 'My Family, Drug-Free Family' campaign with the involvement of residential associations will be launched by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as part of the fifth phase of Kerala’s anti-drug state-wide campaign to be held on June 26.

see more..
Totapuri mango ban by Andhra hits Karnataka farmers hard

Totapuri mango ban by Andhra hits Karnataka farmers hard

19 Jun 2025 | 12:09 PM

Kolar, June 19 (UNI) A trade blockade imposed by the Andhra Pradesh government on Totapuri mango imports from Karnataka has triggered a major crisis for mango growers in Srinivaspur, Kolar district — the mango belt of the state. With the market collapsing at peak harvest time, farmers are now demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP) and state intervention.

see more..
Polling begins for Nilambur Assembly by-poll

Polling begins for Nilambur Assembly by-poll

19 Jun 2025 | 10:40 AM

Malappuram, June 19 (UNI) Eight per cent polling was reported in the first two hours of Nilambur Assembly by-elections in Kerala on Thursday.

see more..
Man trampled to death at his house by wild elephant

Man trampled to death at his house by wild elephant

19 Jun 2025 | 10:36 AM

Palakkad, June 19 (UNI) A 61-year- old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant at a residential area at Nharakode near Mundoor early on Thursday.

see more..

Taxpayers contribute to development of nation: Additional CS KR Jyothilal

19 Jun 2025 | 9:25 AM

Thiruvananthapuram, June 19 (UNI) Taxpayers contributed significantly to the development of the nation, and the amnesty schemes provided good opportunities for them to settle arrears, Kerala's Additional Chief Secretary (Taxes) KR Jyothilal said.

see more..