JSW Dulux Limited received a Show Cause Notice from the Karnataka GST Department on August 5, 2026, demanding ₹118.33 crore in connection with the disallowance of Input Tax Credit (ITC) for the period from April 2020 to March 2021. The notice, issued under Section 74 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, poses a significant potential liability for the listed entity as it challenges the company’s tax compliance for the fiscal year 2021. The total demand includes principal tax, interest, and penalty components, requiring immediate management attention and disclosure under SEBI regulations.
The notice was issued by the Assistant Commissioner of the Bengaluru jurisdiction of the Karnataka GST Department following a GST scrutiny. Pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and Circular no. SEBI/HO/CFD/CFD-PoD-1/P/CIR/2023/120 dated July 13, 2023, JSW Dulux disclosed the litigation pendency to the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. The filing was signed by Rajiv L. Jha, General Counsel and Company Secretary, on August 5, 2026.
The financial implications of the notice are substantial, with the total liability standing at ₹118,33,32,869. This amount is structured across three distinct categories: tax, interest, and penalty. The breakdown of the demand is detailed below.
| Component | Amount (₹) |
| Tax | 40,08,66,201 |
| Interest | 38,17,70,313 |
| Penalty | 40,06,96,355 |
| Total Liability | 118,33,32,869 |
The core of the dispute lies in the disallowance of Input Tax Credit claimed by the company during the April 2020 to March 2021 period. The Karnataka GST Department has scrutinized these claims and determined them ineligible, leading to the aggregate demand. The inclusion of both interest and penalty amounts equal to roughly half of the total demand each highlights the severity of the regulatory position taken by the department.
Management Response and Next Steps
JSW Dulux has stated that the Show Cause Notice is open for further submissions before the relevant authorities. The company is currently in the process of responding to the notice within the stipulated time frame mentioned in the document. As this is an initial stage of the litigation process, the final outcome remains uncertain pending the company’s defense and subsequent adjudication by the tax authorities.
