Punjab extends deadline for one-time due settlement for traders
Chandigarh, Jan 1
In a major relief to the trading community and industry, the Punjab government has decided to extend the deadline for the Punjab One-Time Settlement Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues of 2025 until March 31.
State Finance Minister Harpal Cheema gave the formal approval for this extension following representations from various stakeholders, including the GST Practitioners Association (GSTPA) Punjab.
The decision comes in direct response to the participation seen so far, with the department recording 6,348 applications to date. The state government acknowledged that many taxpayers faced a heavy statutory compliance burden during the final months of 2025, which saw overlapping deadlines for various tax filings.
Furthermore, practical challenges such as the pending service of VAT assessment orders had made it difficult for many eligible businesses to accurately determine their liabilities before the original December deadline.
The OTS Scheme -- 2025, which initially launched on October 1, remains one of the state's most taxpayer-friendly initiatives. It is specifically aimed at reducing legacy litigation and unlocking revenue for the state by offering substantial relief.
Depending on the specific demand amount, taxpayers can avail themselves of up to a 100 per cent waiver on interest and penalties, alongside significant waivers on the principal tax amount.
Minister Cheema said that this extension would provide a golden chance for genuine taxpayers to settle long-pending disputes under the pre-GST Acts, including VAT and central sales tax, without procedural stress.
The Minister further added, "Our government is committed to fostering a pro-business environment. By extending this deadline to March 31, 2026, we are ensuring that no genuine taxpayer is left behind due to administrative or timing hurdles."
He urged all eligible businesses and rice millers to utilise this final window to clear their arrears and start the new financial year with a clean slate.
"After the new deadline of March 31, the department will initiate strict recovery proceedings against defaulters who fail to opt for this settlement," said Minister Cheema.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works with several clients in Punjab's manufacturing sector, this extension is crucial. The pending VAT assessment orders created genuine confusion. This gives everyone a fair chance to calculate dues correctly without rushing.
Good step, but why announce these schemes so late? October launch for a December deadline was too short notice for complex legacy cases. Hope they learn and announce future schemes well in advance. Still, thank you for the extension.
My father's textile business has a pending case from pre-GST era. This scheme is a godsend to settle it and move on. The "clean slate" for the new financial year is exactly what we need. Jai ho Punjab sarkar!
The warning about "strict recovery" after March is important. Many will take this lightly. This is the final window, people. Use it or face the music later. The relief offered is substantial, so no point in delaying.
Hope the online portal for applications is smooth. Last time, there were some glitches. The intention is pro-business, but the execution needs to be seamless. Fingers crossed 🤞. Will advise all my CA clients to apply ASAP.
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