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GST9 min readUpdated April 17, 2025

GST Amnesty 2024: Clear Old Dues

Details of relief scheme for old tax periods, full waiver of interest and penalties, Form SPL-01/02 filing process, and March 31, 2025 deadline

by CA Ashama Rajawat· Chartered Accountant· April 17, 2025· 9 min read
tl;dr
  • Deadline: March 31, 2025 (application) + April 15, 2025 (payment)
  • Benefit: 100% waiver on interest and penalties - pay only tax amount
  • Eligible Periods: FY 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 only
  • Process: File Form SPL-01, pay tax, get discharge certificate via SPL-02
  • Savings Example: ₹14.5L demand becomes ₹5L (save ₹9.5L)

What is GST Amnesty Scheme 2024?

Launched via Notification 31/2024, this scheme gives one-time relief to taxpayers with pending GST demands from early GST period (July 2017 to March 2020).

Key Benefits
  • Pay only tax amount (no interest, no penalty)
  • Waiver of prosecution proceedings
  • Complete discharge from old demand
  • Applicable to CGST, SGST, IGST
eligible periods

Eligible Tax Periods

Financial YearTax Periods CoveredEligible?
FY 2017-18July 2017 - March 2018Yes
FY 2018-19April 2018 - March 2019Yes
FY 2019-20April 2019 - March 2020Yes
FY 2020-21 onwardsApril 2020+No

Calculation Example

scenario · pending_demand.ledger

Demand Details:

  • GST short paid (FY 2018-19): ₹5,00,000
  • Interest @ 18% for 5 years: ₹4,50,000
  • Penalty: ₹5,00,000
  • Total demand: ₹14,50,000
Under Amnesty Scheme
  • Pay only tax: ₹5,00,000
  • Interest waived: ₹4,50,000 saved
  • Penalty waived: ₹5,00,000 saved
  • Total savings: ₹9,50,000!
Total demand
₹14,50,000
Pay only (tax)
₹5,00,000
Total savings
₹9,50,000
how to apply

How to Apply

  1. 01

    Login to GST Portal

    gst.gov.in → Services → User Services → Amnesty Scheme

  2. 02

    File Form SPL-01

    Declaration form stating you want to avail amnesty for specific periods

  3. 03

    Pay Tax Amount

    Via challan (only tax component, no interest/penalty)

  4. 04 · File Form SPL-02

    Discharge application after payment. Department issues discharge certificate.

key takeaway

Critical Action: Don't wait until March 31, 2025. File Form SPL-01 by mid-February to allow time for any clarifications or corrections. Payment must be made within 15 days of application. Missing the deadline means paying 2-3x the amount (full tax + interest + penalty). Use our GST Calculator to verify your outstanding amounts.

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Exclusions (Not Covered)

1. Fraud & Willful Misstatement

Cases involving fake invoices, deliberate evasion not eligible

2. Criminal Proceedings Already Initiated

If prosecution filed in court, amnesty not available

3. Tax Periods After March 2020

Only FY 2017-18 to 2019-20 covered

timeline

Important Dates

Scheme AnnouncedSeptember 15, 2024
Application DeadlinedeadlineMarch 31, 2025
Payment DeadlineApril 15, 2025 (within 15 days)
Miss DeadlinepenaltyPay full amount (tax + interest + penalty)

Who Should Apply

  • Businesses with pending GST demands from FY 2017-20
  • Taxpayers who missed filing returns for old periods
  • Those facing notices for late fee, interest, penalty
  • Businesses wanting to clear old dues and start fresh

Conclusion

Final Chance — last window to clear old dues

GST Amnesty 2024 is the last chance to clear old GST liabilities from 2017-20 without crushing interest and penalties. If you have pending demands, file Form SPL-01 before March 31, 2025, pay tax amount, and get discharge. Missing this deadline means paying 2-3x the amount. Act now.

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Need expert help?

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