#tax amnesty

CESTAT New Delhi rules that failure to pay the SVLDRS-3 amount within the stipulated deadline forfeits the scheme’s benefit, but waives penalties when the delay is directly attributable to pandemic-related banking disruptions. This sets a critical precedent for legacy tax litigants facing similar force majeure challenges, affirming that statutory deadlines are not absolute when external crises impede compliance.

Bombay High Court rules that refunds under the MVAT Act cannot be adjusted against tax demands settled under the Maharashtra Settlement Act, 2023, as it defeats the amnesty scheme's purpose. The judgment reinforces that statutory settlement schemes must be interpreted strictly to uphold their intended relief, protecting taxpayers from arbitrary adjustments.