In its attempt to ensure the accomplishment of the scheme Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resoulution) 2019, that enables firms to settle old cases pertaining to excise and service tax, the government is set to launch a personal contact program with the members of trade and industry.
According to the sources in the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the Principal Commissioners/Chief Commissioners of CGST have been
instructed to start a program to get in contact with 1.8 lakh taxpayers and bring them under the umbrella of dispute resolution scheme. The scheme will be there only for a short duration of time and is expected to end on 31st December. Till now an amount of INR 5,472 crore has been declared so far. The government had earlier launched money other schemes in its crusade against black money but to no avail.
The government with the help of Sabka Vishwas Scheme hopes to unlock over INR 3.6 lakh crore that still outstanding in cases related to excise duty and service tax. The scheme will offer relief ranging from 40 percent to 70 percent of the tax dues other than voluntary disclosure cases, depending on the amount of dues involved. The CBIC has told its field formations that their performance will be measured on the basis of their outreach and ability to convince taxpayers to avail the scheme.
At the time of the launch of the scheme, it was estimated that at least INR 3.6 lakh crore is due in 1.83 lakh cases at various quasi-judicial, appellate and judicial forums, service tax and central excise combined together. It includes cases under investigation, adjudication, and arrears of confirmed demand