Section 29: Punishment

1) In cases where any person commits any of the following offences and punishments, the Tax Officer may impose fines as follows: –

(a) Twenty thousand rupees for each time117 for the violation of an order given by the tax officer to register under Section 5B, or for the violation of sub-section (1) or (2) of Section 10 or for not being registered pursuant to sub-section (1) of Section 10A and sub-section (1) of Section 10B.

(b) One thousand rupees for each violation, for the violation of sub-section (5) or (6) of Section 10,

(b1) Two thousand rupees for each time, for not keeping a tax board or not keeping the tax board at the designated place pursuant to this Act or Rules framed under this Act,

(b2) Ten thousand rupees for each time, for the violation of sub-section (7) of Section 10,

(c) Ten thousand rupees for each time, for the violation of sub-section (1) of Section 14 by not issuing an invoice and one thousand rupees for each time for not taking the invoice,

(c1) Ten thousand rupees for each time, for the violation of sub-section (4) of Section 14,

(d) One hundred percent of the tax collected in violation of Section 15,

(d1) A fine of fifty percent of the amount of tax in question imposed by the tax officer on a person required to be registered who engages in transaction without registration,

(e) Ten thousand rupees for a failure to maintain updated accounts of transactions pursuant to sub-section (1) of Section 16, and twenty thousand rupees for each time for refusing inspection of the books of accounts,

(f) A maximum of five thousand rupees for the violation of sub-section (2) of Section 16,

(g) Ten thousand rupees for the violation of sub-section (3) or (4) of Section 16,

(g1) ……..

(g2) Five hundred thousand rupees if the taxpayer who has or has not obtained approval for issuance of electronic invoice is found to have used a software that can delete or correct data,

(g3) Five hundred thousand rupees if the person constructing, installing or operating the software or equipment for issuance of electronic invoice does not comply with the procedure issued by the Department pursuant to Section 14A.

(h) One thousand rupees per tax period or 0.05 percent of the tax payable per day, whichever is higher, for the violation of the provision of Section 18,

(i) Five thousand rupees for each time for obstructing the carrying out of the functions under Section 23,

(j) Two thousand rupees for each invoice or the fine imposed under sub-section (2), whichever is higher, for under-invoicing,

Provided that, if the office thinks appropriate, it may purchase or cause to purchase the goods that are under-invoiced, as prescribed.

(k) For breach of Act and Rules made thereunder, ten thousand rupees for each time of breach.

2) If a person commits any of the following offences, a Tax Officer may impose a fine not exceeding twice the amount of tax or imprisonment up to six months, or penalise with both the fine and the imprisonment:

(a) Preparing false accounts, invoices or other documents;

(b) Evading tax by committing a fraud,

(c) If an unregistered person acts as if he or she were a registered person,

(d) Selling on under-invoicing,

(e) Carrying on transactions in violation of Section 30.

3) An accomplice who, intentionally or recklessly, aids or abets or entices or advises any person committing any offence mentioned in this Act shall be liable to a fine of fifty percent of the tax paid less by such person.