Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd (ABFRL) faces a fresh GST demand of ₹16.4 million, including tax, penalty, and interest, amid ongoing compliance disputes. The company views it as contestable with no material financial impact, planning appeals as part of frequent tax challenges.
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd, India's leading apparel retailer with brands like Pantaloons and TMRW, has received another GST demand order totaling ₹16.4 million (₹1.64 crore). This includes tax liability, interest, and penalty, continuing a series of scrutiny on input tax credit (ITC) claims and procedural matters. ABFRL maintains the demand lacks merit and will pursue appeals, ensuring no disruption to operations or finances.
The notice aligns with prior cases, such as ₹2.45 crore (Dec 2024) and ₹2.46 crore (Nov 2024) from Chandigarh GST authorities over ITC misclassification under IGST vs. CGST/SGST, plus smaller orders like ₹70 lakh from Goa (Feb 2025). These stem from vendor return defaults and audit findings under CGST Act Section 74. Despite robust Q4FY25 growth—revenues up 9.2% YoY to ₹1,720 crore driven by ethnic wear (19% rise)—such demands test governance amid demerger into Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Ltd. Investors eye resolution timelines.
Key Highlights
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Demand Breakdown: ₹16.4M total (tax + interest + penalty); exact split undisclosed, but pattern matches prior ~50% tax/penalty ratios.
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Dispute Nature: ITC eligibility, vendor filings, inter-head adjustments; ABFRL deems "not maintainable."
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Appeal Strategy: Plans filings with Appellate Authority; no financial/operational impact expected.
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Recent Precedents: ₹2.45cr (ET, Dec 2024), ₹2.46cr (Chandigarh), ₹70L (Goa Feb 2025).
Sources: Reuters, Economic Times, Marketscreener, ABFRL Filings