Single SCN for Multiple AYs Under GST Is Impermissible; Notices Must Be Issued for Each Assessment Year | HC

Case Details: Veremax Technologie Services LTD. v. Assistant Commissioner of Central Tax - [2024] 167 taxmann.com 332 (Karnataka)

Judiciary and Counsel Details

• S.R.Krishna Kumar, J.
• Shankare Gowda M.N., Adv. for the Petitioner.
• Unnikrishnan M., CGC for the Respondent.

Facts of the Case

The petitioner had challenged the show cause notice issued by the tax department which consolidated multiple tax periods from 2017-18 to 2020-21 into single notice under Section 73 of CGST Act. It filed writ petition and it was also contended that each assessment year must be treated independently and separate show cause notices required for each assessment year under Section 73.

High Court Held

The Honorable High Court noted that the consolidation of multiple assessment years into single show cause notice contravened provisions of CGST Act and established legal precedents. The Court also noted that the principles enunciated in the judgment cited by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of State of Jammu and Kashmir and Others v. Caltex (India) Ltd. (AIR 1966 SC 1350) would be directly applicable to the present case wherein it was held that where an assessment encompasses different assessment years, each assessment order can be distinctly separated and must be treated independently.

Therefore, the Court held that the impugned show cause notice was liable to be set aside and Revenue authorities were permitted to issue separate notices for each assessment year in compliance with Section 73.

List of Cases Reviewed

• M/s. Titan Company Ltd. v. Joint Commissioner of GST (W.P.No.33164 of 2023) – (para 3) followed.
• State of Jammu and Kashmir and Others v. Caltex (India) Ltd. (AIR 1966 SC 1350) – (para 5) followed.

List of Cases Referred to

• M/s. Titan Company Ltd. v. Joint Commissioner of GST W.P. No. 33164 of 2023 (para 3)
• Jammu and Kashmir and Others v. Caltex (India) Ltd., AIR 1966 SC 1350 (para 3).