Important Update: Extension of Expired E-Way Bills Due to Technical Glitch!

In the fast-paced world of GST compliance, e-way bills play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth movement of goods across India. E-way bills have become a fundamental part of India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, facilitating the seamless movement of goods across states. However, a recent technical glitch has disrupted the process, leading to expired e-way bills that could potentially cause compliance issues for businesses. To ease the burden, the government has stepped in with an important announcement: the extension of expired e-way bills due to the technical difficulties faced by the system. In this blog, we’ll delve into the specifics of this update, how it affects businesses, and what actions you need to take to stay compliant during this period. Let’s break down everything you need to know!

Let’s understand the changes!

Advisory dated 01^st January 2025

Advisory to Taxpayers on Extension of E-Way Bills Expired on 31st December 2024

Jan 1st, 2025

It is hereby informed that the technical challenges encountered in the e-way bill generation process have been resolved, and the portal is now functioning smoothly. In connection with the technical issues faced earlier, the following facilitation measures have been put in place:

 1. Extension of Expired E-Way Bills:

     (a) As per the existing procedure, e-way bills that expired at midnight on 31st December 2024, could be extended either within 8 hours prior to the expiry or 8 hours after the expiry..

     (b) Due to a technical glitch, this process was disrupted. To mitigate the impact, the window period for extending the e-way bills expiring on 31st December 2024, has been extended up to 1st January 2025, midnight. Taxpayers and transporters are advised to utilize the "Extend EWB" facility on the portal to extend these e-way bills if required.

 2. Generation of E-Way Bills for Goods Moved During the Glitch:

     (a) payers and transporters who moved goods on 31st December 2024 without generating e-way bills due to technical issues are hereby advised to generate the necessary e-way bills on 1st January 2025 using the existing facility on the portal.

Your cooperation in ensuring compliance with the e-way bill requirements is appreciated. For any assistance, taxpayers may contact the helpline or visit the portal support page.

Thanking You,
Team GSTN

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Key Highlights

1. Extension of Expired E-Way Bills: The government has announced an extension for e-way bills that expired due to a technical glitch in the system. The window for extending e-way bills that expired on 31st December 2024 has been extended until midnight of 1st January 2025. Taxpayers and transporters can utilize the "Extend EWB" facility on the portal to extend these e-way bills.
2. Impact on Businesses: This extension offers relief to businesses facing compliance challenges due to the expired e-way bills, helping avoid penalties and disruptions in goods movement.
3. Validity Period: The specific duration of the extension will depend on the time frame in which the technical issue occurred, ensuring businesses are not unfairly penalized.
4. Steps to Ensure Compliance: Businesses must take action to revalidate or renew expired e-way bills within the new timelines provided by the government.
5. No Penalties for Expired E-Way Bills: During the extension period, no penalties will be imposed for the expired e-way bills, provided businesses follow the updated guidelines.

Conclusion

The recent technical issues affecting e-way bill generation have been successfully resolved, ensuring that the system is back to normal operations. The government’s decision to extend the expired e-way bills and provide an opportunity to generate missed e-way bills for goods moved during the glitch ensures that taxpayers and transporters are not penalized for the disruption. It is essential for all concerned parties to make use of the extended window and comply with the required processes to avoid any compliance challenges.

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