The government is considering providing relief to the money gaming industry from retrospective tax claims, as the matter is before the Supreme Court with a final hearing expected in July 2024. There are rumors that even if the government receives a favorable order, the recovery may be difficult due to the high demand notices. The Supreme Court has transferred 27 writ petitions challenging the levy of 28% GST on online real-money gaming to itself. The Centre has sought the transfer of these petitions from the High Courts to the Supreme Court. In response, the Court has sought a response from the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence. Last year, the Supreme Court imposed a stay on a Karnataka High Court order, prompting GST field officers to issue notices of over Rs 1.12 lakh crore to online gaming companies for alleged tax evasion. The Karnataka High Court had earlier quashed a GST intimation notice of Rs. 21,000 crore, holding that online rummy played on a gaming platform was not taxable as betting or gambling activity.
Source a2ztaxcorp
