Cinema hall owners can claim reimbursement
PANAJI
Hours after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that ‘Chhaava’ -- a period drama based on the life of the legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj -- would be made tax-free in Goa, the Finance Department on Thursday issued an order exempting SGST on the film from February 21 to May 31.
The cinema hall owners have been asked to file their claims for SGST reimbursement with the Commissioner of State Taxes (Goa government) by August 31, 2025. They have also been strictly instructed not to increase the base price of tickets or alter the seating capacity of different classes in theatres during this period.
“The SGST paid by multiplex/Cineplex/cinema theatre owners for provision of service of admission/entry to exhibition/screening of film ‘Chhaava’, the State of Goa from February 21 to May 31 (both dates inclusive) shall be reimbursed to them by the State government,” reads the order by Under Secretary (Finance (R&C) Pranab Bhat.
The order also adds that cinema owners/exhibitors should not collect the SGST component from the viewers. In a set of conditions for reimbursement, the Finance Department also asked for mandatory submission of proof of non-collection of tax from viewers, along with comprehensive details of the movie halls, showtimes, and date-wise ticket sales associated with the reimbursement claim among other requirements.
“Multiplexes/Cineplex/Cinema theatre owners/ exhibitor or cinema owner shall neither make any increase in the base price of admission/entry tickets nor make any changes in the capacity of seats of different classes in the theatres during the said period, but shall continue with the existing prices and class paters as were existing on the date of release of the film till the end of the period (May 31),” the order further added.
