Vodafone Idea Hit With ₹17 Crore GST Demand For Non-Payment Under Reverse Charge Mechanism

Global telecom major Vodafone Idea Limited has been ordered to pay a penalty of Rs 16.96 crore for alleged non-payment of GST under the reverse charge mechanism. The GST demand order was passed confirming a penalty of Rs 16,96,94,250/- along with demand and applicable interest.

“The Company does not agree with the Order and will take appropriate action(s) against the same," Vodafone Idea said in their regulatory filing adding that it will challenge the order before an appropriate authority.

Last year the debt ridden telecom major Vodafone Idea had been hit with multiple GST demand orders of Rs 73 crore comprising tax dues with penalty and interest.

The telecom operator got nine orders from various GST offices mostly over alleged short payment of taxes and allegedly availing excess input tax credit (ITC). Vodafone had refuted the GST demand of excess ITC utilisation.