The Government of Goa has issued Notification No. 7/19/2025-LA/120 dated August 25, 2025 notifies the Goa (Recovery of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty, Other Dues Through Settlement) (Amendment) Act, 2025 (Goa Act 13 of 2025), which was passed by the Legislative Assembly on 31st July 2025 and received the Governor’s assent on 22nd August 2025.
Key Highlights of the Amendment:
- Waiver of Interest & Penalty: Taxpayers who pay 100% of the tax dues on or before 31st December 2025 can avail waiver of interest, penalty, and post-assessment interest for the specified period.
- Application Timeline:
- Waiver applications must be filed by 31st March 2026.
- The Commissioner may extend this deadline by up to three months via an Official Gazette notification.
- Certification of Settlement: Once dues are cleared and verified, a certificate of settlement will be issued, discharging taxpayers from remaining liabilities.
- Deficit or Delay Cases: If payments are short or delayed, taxpayers must clear the balance within 20 days, along with a late fee equal to the shortfall.
- Rejection & Appeals: Applications may be rejected if conditions are not met, but applicants will be given an opportunity to respond and be heard.
- No Refunds: Any excess amount paid under settlement will not be refunded.
Additional Provision:
The amendment clarifies that filing an application will not automatically stay recovery proceedings unless such recovery is already stayed by an appellate or revisional authority.
The Act came into force immediately, with certain provisions retrospectively effective from 8th September 2023.
The Notification can be accessed at: https://a2ztaxcorp.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/The-Goa-Recovery-of-Arrears-of-Tax-Interest-Penalty-Other-Dues-Through-Settlement-Amendment-Act-2025.pdf
