Panaji: The state cabinet on Monday granted approval to the Goa (Recovery of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty, Other Dues through Settlement) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to provide a final opportunity for the payment of old outstanding dues by defaulting dealers.In the budget speech for the financial year 2025-2026, it was considered expedient to amend the Goa (Recovery of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty, Other Dues through Settlement) Act, 2023 (Goa Act 34 of 2023) to provide a final opportunity to the defaulting dealers.Prior to the implementation of the Goa Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (Goa Act 4 of 2017), which took effect from 1 July 2017, various tax laws were in force in Goa. A sizeable portion of govt revenue was locked under litigation concerning the tax period until June 30, 2017.To unlock the amount stuck in dues, govt notified the Goa (Recovery of Arrears of Tax, Interest, Penalty, Other Dues through Settlement) Act, 2023 (Goa Act 34 of 2023). This provides for a scheme to settle tax arrears, interest, penalty, or late fee under the relevant Act, for the specified period ending on or before June 30, 2017.Several dealers filed their online settlement applications before the last date of March 7, 2024 and had also paid the settlement amount.
