Your case is not time-barred for the financial year 2018-19. Let me explain the implications and considerations based on the recent changes:
Extension of Time Limits:
The Ministry of Finance has extended the time limits for issuing notices related to GST compliance matters for the financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
For FY 2018-19, show cause notices can now be issued until 31st January 2024, which extends the original deadline by one month.
Orders related to the recovery of tax not paid, short paid, or input tax credit wrongly availed or utilized can be issued until 30th April 2024, also extended by one month1.
Section 73 and Section 74:
The extended deadlines specifically apply to time-barring periods under Section 73 of the CGST Act.
Under Section 73, the GST department has an additional two years to issue notices and orders for cases other than fraud or wilful misstatement.
However, the GST department still has an additional two years to issue notices and orders under Section 74 for suppression/misrepresentation cases1.
Consideration for Taxpayers:
For cases related to the financial year 2018-19 at the ASMT-10/DRC-01A stage, taxpayers should be aware of the extended timeline.
The department should allow a sufficient reply period of 15-30 days for these notices to ensure that taxpayers have a reasonable opportunity to be heard1.
Conclusion:
The extension of time limits provides a more realistic timeframe for both the GST department and taxpayers to address compliance matters effectively.
It is crucial for taxpayers to be aware of these extended deadlines and take advantage of the additional time provided to ensure a fair and just resolution of their cases1.
In summary, your case is not time-barred, and you should respond to the DRC-01A intimation within the specified timeline.