Office of the

Commissioner of State Tax

8th floor, GST Bhavan

Mazgaon, Mumbai - 400 010.

No.VAT/MMB-2015/72/Adm-8

Sub: Extension of the date for filing of the VAT Audit Report in Form 704 for the year 2016-17.

Ref: Letter received from FD No. VAT 1517/CR 1/Taxation-i dated 11.01.2018

Section 61(1) of the Maharashtra Value Added Tax Act, 2002 provides that all eligible dealers shall submit the Audit Report in Form- 704. As provided under rule 17A (1) of the Maharashtra Value Added Tax Rules, 2005, this form is to be uploaded electronically. Rule 66 of the said Rules mandates that such Audit Report in Form e-704 shall be submitted within nine months and fifteen days of the end of the year to which such report relates. Accordingly the prescribed date for filing of Form e-704 for the year 2016-17 is 15th January 2018.

The representations from Trade and Associations have been received with a request to extend the due date for submission of Audit Report in Form e- 704.

The representations, as aforesaid, are examined. After careful consideration of the same and with approval of the Finance Department, Government of Maharashtra, it has been decided to allow uploading of the Audit Report in Form e-704 for the year 2016-17 upto 15th February 2018.

In view of above, the physical copy of the acknowledgment and the statement of submission of Audit Report shall be submitted upto 25th February 2018 to the concerned Nodal Officers viz. Dy. Commissioner of State Tax, Asst. Commissioner of State Tax or State Tax Officer. The list of the Nodal Officers is available on the website www.mahavat.gov.in. The dealers who upload the said Audit Report under section 61(1) of the said Act on or before 15th February 2018 and also submit the physical copy of the acknowledgment on or before 25th February 2018 then penalty proceeding shall not be initiated against such dealers.

It is clarified that the liability to pay interest, if any, as per the provisions of the said Act shall remain unchanged.

(Paraag Jaiin Nainutia)

Special Commissioner of State Tax,