CBEC - Where is that Annual Return?

By Vijay Kumar

DURING the last week, we have been getting many mails and calls on the new return required to be filed by the assessees by 30th November. One of the mails:

Annual Return

Rule 12(2)(a) was amended vide NotiNo.8/2016 CE NT dated 1.3.2016. The words "Annual Financial statement" were substituted by "Annual Return".

CBEC has not yet specified the format for "Annual Return"

The format for ER-4 available in ACES for erstwhile ER-4 is not enabled for 2015-16.

In this situation if the assessee cannot file the "Annual Return" then whether it will be construed as "Non-compliance" of Excise Law?

I asked Ms. Bhagya Devi, ADG, Systems of CBEC, "The Annual Return under Rule 12 of the CE Rules is to be filed by end of November. Has the Board notified the format? When is it going to be available in ACES?".

She replied, "Regarding the Annual Return under Rule 12 of the CE Rules the Board has not yet notified the return format. It will be made available in ACES if and when notified."

Thank you, madam, for the prompt response, but how long will the CBEC keep the assessees on tenterhooks?