Centre weighs compliance relief for MSMEs in budget

Ministry suggests quarterly GST payments, penalty waivers for delayed filings

- Rituraj Baruah & Manas Pimpalkhare

The government is considering easing the goods and services tax (GST) compliance burden for small businesses in the Union Budget for the next fiscal, according to two people familiar with the matter, at a time when US tariffs have disproportionately affected such enterprises.

The Centre may allow quarterly GST payments by micro-enterprises, compared to the current practice of monthly tax payments, the people quoted earlier said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Micro enterprises are businesses with an annual turnover of up to ₹10 crore.