Rule 26 of CGST Rules 2017: Methods of Authentication/ Verification of e-filed documents

Provisions under Rule 26 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Rules, 2017 relating to “Methods of Authentication/ Modes of Verification of e-filed documents”, are as under:

CGST Rule 26: Method of authentication (Chapter-III: Registration Rules) 

(1) All applications, including reply, if any, to the notices, returns including the details of outward and inward supplies, appeals or any other document required to be submitted under the provisions of these rules shall be so submitted electronically with digital signature certificate or through e-signature as specified under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) or verified by any other mode of signature or verification as notified by the Board in this behalf:

Provided that a registered person registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) shall furnish the documents or application verified through digital signature certificate. [Proviso 1]

Provided further that a registered person registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) shall, during the period from the 21st day of April, 2020 to the 30th day of June, 2020, also be allowed to furnish the return under section 39 in FORM GSTR 3B verified through electronic verification code (EVC).

Provided further that a registered person registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) shall, during the period from the 21st day of April, 2020 to the 30th day of September, 2020, also be allowed to furnish the return under section 39 in FORM GSTR 3B verified through electronic verification code (EVC). [Proviso 2]

Provided also that a registered person registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) shall, during the period from the 27th day of May, 2020 to the 30th day of September, 2020, also be allowed to furnish the details of outward supplies under section 37 in FORM GSTR 1 verified through electronic verification code (EVC). [Proviso 3]

Provided also that a registered person registered under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) shall, during the period from the 27th day of April, 2021 to the 31st day of May, 2021 31st day of August, 2021 31st day of October 2021, also be allowed to furnish the return under section 39 in FORM GSTR 3B and the details of outward supplies under section 37 in FORM GSTR 1 or using invoice furnishing facility, verified through electronic verification code (EVC). [Proviso 4]

(2) Each document including the return furnished online shall be signed or verified through electronic verification code-

(a) in the case of an individual, by the individual himself or where he is absent from India, by some other person duly authorised by him in this behalf, and where the individual is mentally incapacitated from attending to his affairs, by his guardian or by any other person competent to act on his behalf;

(b) in the case of a Hindu Undivided Family, by a Karta and where the Karta is absent from India or is mentally incapacitated from attending to his affairs, by any other adult member of such family or by the authorised signatory of
such Karta;

(c) in the case of a company, by the chief executive officer or authorised signatory thereof;

(d) in the case of a Government or any Governmental agency or local authority, by an officer authorised in this behalf;

(e) in the case of a firm, by any partner thereof, not being a minor or authorised signatory thereof;

(f) in the case of any other association, by any member of the association or persons or authorised signatory thereof;

(g) in the case of a trust, by the trustee or any trustee or authorised signatory thereof; or

(h) in the case of any other person, by some person competent to act on his behalf, or by a person authorised in accordance with the provisions of section.

(3) All notices, certificates and orders under the provisions of this Chapter shall be issued electronically by the proper officer or any other officer authorised to issue such notices or certificates or orders, through digital signature certificate specified under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) or through E-signature as specified under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) or verified by any other mode of signature or verification as notified by the Board in this behalf.

Amendments History:

1. In sub-rule (3) the text ‘specified under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000)’ substituted with the text ‘or through e-signature as specified under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000) or verified by any other mode of signature or verification as notified by the Board in this behalf’ vide Central Tax Notification 7/2017 dt. 27/06/2017, w.e.f. 22/06/2017.

2. Second proviso to sub-rule (1) inserted w.e.f. 21/04/2020 vide Central Tax Notification 38/2020 dt. 05/05/2020.

3. Second proviso substituted and Third Proviso inserted in sub-rule (1) w.e.f. 27/05/2020 vide Central Tax Notification 48/2020 dt. 19/06/2020.

4. Fourth proviso to sub-rule (1) inserted vide Central Tax Notification 7/2021 dt. 27/04/2021.

5. In Fourth Proviso to Sub-rule (1), the text ’31st day of May, 2021′ substituted with the text ’31st day of August, 2021′ w.e.f. 31/05/2021 vide Central Tax Notification 27/2021 dt. 01/06/2021.

6. In Fourth Proviso to Sub-rule (1), the text ’31st day of August, 2021′ substituted with the text ’31st day of October, 2021′ vide Central Tax Notification 32/2021 dt. 29/08/2021.

7. In Sub-rule (1), all the four provisos omitted w.e.f. 01/11/2021, vide Central Tax Notification 32/2021 dt. 29/08/2021.

Related Notifications:

1.  CBEC notifies Methods/ Modes of Authentication/ Verification (EVC/ OTP) of e-filed documents under CGST Rule 26(1), applicable w.e.f. 22/06/2017, vide Notification 6/2017 Central Tax dt. 19/06/2017, which were retrospectively amended vide Notification 11/2017 Central Tax dt. 28/06/2017.

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Note: The CGST Rules 2017 along with the prescribed Forms were initially notified vide Central Tax Notifications 3/2017 dated 19/06/2017 (Rule 1 to 26), 10/2017 dated 28/06/2017 (Rules 27 to 138) and 15/2017 dated 01/07/2017 (Rules 139 to 162). These Rules/ Forms were subsequently amended by CBIC through various Notifications issued from time to time. Information on this page is a Rule-wise compilation of the Amendments made by various Notifications issued by CBIC from time to time, with best possible efforts for accuracy. In any case, E&OE. For official/ updated information, please visit CBIC website.