Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Finance Department of Goa has undertaken a major reorganization of its VAT assessment and collection mechanism to improve efficiency and clarity.
The state has been divided into eight distinct VAT wards with clearly defined jurisdictions, and a specialized unit has been created to manage taxpayers with large annual VAT liabilities exceeding Rs 1.5 crore.
The move was formalized through an order issued by Commissioner of Commercial Taxes S.S. Gill, IAS, published in an Extraordinary Official Gazette.
The order specifies the territorial boundaries of the eight ward offices, split evenly between North and South Goa districts.
A new Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) has been established under the Goa Value Added Tax Act, 2005. This unit will specifically focus on high-value taxpayers, including those with VAT dues above Rs 1.5 crore as well as licensed casinos, ensuring their cases receive dedicated attention.
While new VAT registrations will continue to be processed by the relevant ward offices, taxpayers whose liabilities cross the large taxpayer threshold will automatically be transferred to the LTU within 90 days after the financial year ends, to maintain seamless oversight.
The jurisdictions of the wards in North Goa are as follows: Panaji ward will cover the entire Tiswadi taluka; Mapusa ward will cover Bardez; Pernem ward will take charge of Pernem taluka; and Bicholim ward will include Sattari taluka.
In South Goa, Margao ward will cover Salcete and Canacona talukas; Curchorem ward will oversee Quepem, Sanguem, and Dharbandora; Vasco-da-Gama ward will administer Mormugao taluka; and Ponda ward will serve Ponda taluka.
This restructuring aims to streamline VAT administration and improve tax compliance across the state.
