Description
We are pleased to bring you a special edition of nota bene covering the key recommendations of the 57th GST Council Meeting, chaired by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister on 8th October 2026.
The meeting focused on simplifying GST compliances, improving ease of doing business, and reducing taxpayer–department interface, with key recommendations covering registration, returns, refunds, ITC, dispute resolution and trade facilitation.
Some key reforms include:
- Withdrawal of arrest provisions and increase in the prosecution threshold from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore
- Reduction of the maximum general penalty from ₹25,000 to ₹10,000
- Faster and system-based processing of GST refunds
- Wider availability of ITC refunds and rationalisation of blocked ITC
- Simplification of registration and compliance processes
- Measures to facilitate exports and smoother movement of goods
- In-principle approval of an optional ARQP scheme for eligible small B2C taxpayers with turnover up to ₹5 crore
In this edition of nota bene, we have summarized the key recommendations and their potential implications for businesses and taxpayers.
We trust you will find this edition insightful.
