Taxpayers have to opt for GST composition scheme by July 21

by | posted in: Corporate & Business Advisory Services, Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs, Income Tax,e-Filing- Individuals, Firms, Companies | 0

Small businesses with turnover of up to Rs. 75 lakh have time till July 21 to opt for composition scheme under the Goods and Services Tax regime, GST Network said.

To opt for composition scheme, the taxpayer needs to log into his account at the GST Portal www.gst.gov.in and select ’Application to opt for the Composition Scheme’ under ’Services’ menu, a GSTN statement said.

“Any person who has been granted registration on a provisional basis and has turnover not exceeding Rs. 75 lakh, and who wishes to opt for the composition levy, is required to electronically file an intimation, duly signed or verified through EVC, at the GST portal on or before July 21, 2017,” GSTN Chairman Navin Kumar said.

Under composition scheme, traders, manufacturers and restaurants can pay tax at one per cent, two per cent and five per cent, respectively in the new indirect tax regime.

Businesses opting for composition scheme will see a lesser compliance burden as they will have to file returns only once in a quarter as against monthly returns to be filed by other businesses.

There are over 69 lakh excise, VAT and service taxpayers who have migrated to the GSTN portal for filing returns in the GST regime which ushered in on July 1.

Besides, there are over 4.5 lakh new taxpayers who have registered in the portal. These new registered taxpayers can opt for the composition scheme at the time of registration.

GSTN also clarified that taxpayers who have been given provisional IDs must complete all parts of the enrolment at the GST portal and submit the same along with the required documents with digital signature or EVC.

Once the form is completed and submitted, the enrolled taxpayer will be issued the final Certificate of Registration which would mark completion of migration under GST.

In case an enrolled taxpayer fails to submit the duly filled form with the requisite documents, his provisional registration is liable to be cancelled.

“A period of three months is allowed to complete the enrolment procedure by September 22, 2017. In the interim, they can issue tax invoice using the provisional ID already allotted to them,” Kumar said.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/policy/taxpayers-have-to-opt-for-gst-composition-scheme-by-july-21/article9767610.ece

GSTIN display on sign boards must for businesses

by | posted in: Corporate & Business Advisory Services, Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs | 0
The Goods and Services Taxpayer Identification Number (GSTIN) is a 15-digit number which taxpayers get after registering with the GST Network portal.

Traders and businesses will have to display the GST registration number on their business sign boards and the registration certificate in premises.

Also, composition dealers will have to mention that they are availing the composite scheme and are not entitled to collect taxes from people.

“Every taxable person is required to display his GSTIN number on name board or sign board of business and is also required to display his registration certificate in business premises so that a citizen can easily find out whether a person is registered or not,” a tax official said.

The composition dealer is required to mention in the business premises along with registration certificate that he is not entitled to collect tax from taxpayers.

“That is the legal requirement. So that the citizen can find out whether the person from whom he is buying is entitled to collect tax from him or not,” the official added.

The Goods and Services Taxpayer Identification Number (GSTIN) is a 15-digit number which taxpayers get after registering with the GST Network portal.

Initially, a business is given a provisional ID on logging into the portal and within 3 months the business has to complete the registration process by giving details of business. This provisional ID is then converted to GSTIN.

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia said that if a business entity does not generate certificate of registration within 90 days then the provisional ID will stand cancelled.

The GST, which subsumes service tax, excise and VAT, have been implemented from July 1.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59531590.cms

GST impact on companies: Gloom and doom vanishes, India Inc at ease

by | posted in: Corporate & Business Advisory Services, Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs | 0
Contrary to gloomy predictions, the roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST) has been a much smoother affair and the industry has adapted to it without major hassles.

Contrary to gloomy predictions, the roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST) has been a much smoother affair and the industry has adapted to it without major hassles. As FE spoke to a cross-section of the industry, several government officials and the administrative and field levels, tax experts and analysts, some things came out clearly: The gap between the country’s existing indirect tax assessee base and those registered on the GST Network has almost vanished, indicating that even large sections of small businesses that had the option of composition scheme decided to join the GST bandwagon. Grouses over the compliance burden that the new tax has imposed on small businesses are fast disappearing except for the cavils of those not wanting to report their entire transaction volume for fear of increased income tax liability. There are of course some niggling issues like how to compute the tax liability under the reverse charge mechanism but these too are getting resolved.

FE spoke to Delhi-based companies consisting of electronics dealers, auto parts dealers, small chartered accountant (CA) firms among others. While most of the businesses were VAT assessees in the previous era, the CA firm registered on the GSTN portal as a first-time taxpayer.

“Migrating to GSTN was a simple process that only took ten minutes,” Nitin Gupta of Siyaram Bros, a company sells automobile parts to retailers across the country. Gupta said with over `30 crore in annual turnover, his company has had a smooth ride in the first ten days of the new indirect taxation regime, that marks a giant leap towards a one-nation- one-tax regime. Although, businesses have often stated that filing returns in GST would be complicated, Gupta said that most of the processes are similar to what companies were doing under the VAT system. “We are still a month away from filing the first return but I don’t see a problem,” he said.

Govind Kumar of Baba Computers and Sandeep Mittal of Mittal Sandeep and Associates, a CA firm, concurred.

For them, the GSTN registration did not involve any glitches. Both the companies had been using accounting and tax software from Tally, and have now switched to GST-enabled version of the same. The software solution is expected to cost about `11,000 per year.

Gupta, however, added that those retailers the company deals with have been in state of panic largely due to lack of awareness. The company expects smooth flow of input tax credits as it buys from big businesses who are expected to be GST-compliant. “Some of the retailers who we sell to may not be ready, which could impact our sale volume,” Gupta said.

Mittal, who runs the CA firm, said that most of his clients were assessees before and have migrated to GSTN without a hiccup. Among other issues, his firm has advised small businesses on whether to opt for general GSTN registration or become a taxpayer under composition scheme.

The scheme allows easier compliance for certain businesses with annual turnover of less than Rs 75 lakh. However, according to the law, firms under the scheme can neither avail input tax credit nor supply to other states.

“Most of my client deal with inter-state supplies and hence they aren’t eligible for the composition scheme so far,” Mittal said. He added that he has advised a few firm to opt for the scheme based on a cost-benefit analysis but even these businesses are keen to avail input tax credits.

Speaking about the the issues faced by his business, Gupta admitted that he wasn’t quite clear about the reverse charge mechanism and how to deposit tax collected under it with the government at the time of filing returns.

According to GST law, a recipient is required to collect and deposit taxes under reverse charge mechanism for certain services including transportation. Of the 81 lakh existing taxpayers, 68 lakh have migrated to GSTN while nearly 2 lakh new taxpayers have also registered on the portal at the end of June. The GST tax base appearing smaller than in the previous regime is a misnomer. Earlier, a large section of the taxpayers needed to register seperately with the Centre (for excise, countervailing duty on imports and service tax) and states (for VAT). The GST has removed these duplications.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/gst-impact-on-companies-gloom-and-doom-vanishes-india-inc-at-ease/758103/

GST impact: Dismantling of check posts save 24-36 hours of trucking time

by | posted in: Corporate & Business Advisory Services, Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs | 0
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is saving fleet owners between 24-36 trucking hours, besides around Rs 7,500 per trip at the tax check posts which have since been dismantled.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is saving fleet owners between 24-36 trucking hours, besides around Rs 7,500 per trip at the tax check posts which have since been dismantled, an industry association said on Monday.

“Our quick check has shown that on an average a lorry or truck runs for 10-12 hours a day and should cover a distance of about 2,200 km between, say, Delhi-Chennai in three days.” “However, traversing through different states and braving the stoppages at several check posts of VAT, Octroi, other local taxes it was taking five to six days,” Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said here in a statement. At least 24-36 hours would easily be saved for these trunk routes after dismantling of the check posts, it said after interacting with the fleet owners and transport intermediaries.

“Besides, the bigger nuisance of corruption at each of the check posts and through various states would have meant an additional expenditure of Rs 5,000-7,500 per trip. That has also been done away with.” “For now, it has come as a big relief for the transporters who say, the ultimate advantage is accruing to the customers and to the trade and manufacturing value supply chain,” Assocham said.

The interaction with the fleet owners revealed that before start of a trip, the crew, comprising driver(s) and helpers was given “out of pocket” or “petty cash” of at least Rs 10,000 for the trunk routes of Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Mumbai-Jaipur, Ahmedabad-Delhi, Bengaluru- Delhi routes and so on. On completion of the trip, the driver would give his account that would include the expenses at each of the forced halt points.

Assocham hoped that further improvement would be done in this direction in terms of improving other infrastructure. “For instance, the ‘no entry’ traffic restrictions can be done away if high class dedicated bye-passes are constructed around the major cities so that the truckers can ply seamlessly,” Assocham Secretary General D.S. Rawat said.

Improvement in freight movement through road and rail would not only result in a huge cost saving for the trade and industry but would also take India quite high on the global index of Ease of Doing Business, the chamber said.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/economy/gst-impact-dismantling-of-check-posts-save-24-36-hours-of-trucking-time/757083/

GST basics: 7 misconceptions cleared

by | posted in: Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs, Income Tax,e-Filing- Individuals, Firms, Companies | 0
GST only subsumes central and state taxes; the levies charged by local bodies are still outside its ambit.

The rumour mills have gone on an overdrive mode since the launch of GST.

Here’s a reality check for both GST supporters and its detractors.

 

  1. Now it’s one nation one tax

Myth : Since GST will replace all other taxes on all goods and services, we are in a single tax regime.

Reality : Though this was the original idea, certain exempted items such as petroleum products, are still outside GST’s ambit and, therefore, their tax rates vary significantly across states.

For example, petrol is still sold in Mumbai at Rs 74.30 per litre (as on 5 July) compared to Rs 63.12 in New Delhi. Similarly, some other items, such as liquor, have also been kept out of GST for now.

2.  Small businesses will suffer

Myth : The life of small businessmen will become difficult under GST because of computerised billing, need for Internet connectivity.

Reality : Shops can do manual billing under GST and Net connectivity is needed only at the time of filing monthly return and can be managed from a cyber cafe.

  1. Prices will shoot up

Myth : Personal expenses will go up on account of GST making it inflationary because tax rates have been fixed at higher levels—18%, 28%.

Reality : Though the GST rates seem high, it is only because the entire tax is now visible to the consumer. Earlier most taxes – central and state excise, additional excise, purchase tax, etc. – did not reflect on your bill. If one adds up all the taxes, it would have been more for most items (ie effective tax rates under GST will be lower for most products).

For example, the price of chicken dish in Kerala should fall because there was a 14.5% tax on live chicken earlier, which has come down to zero now under GST.

4.   Corporates may try to profiteer but govt won’t

Myth : Business will try to rob you of the GST benefits, but the government won’t make money at your expense.

Reality : Some state governments are also acting greedy and not passing on the GST benefits to consumers. For example, the Maharashtra government has increased the vehicle registration tax by 2% after auto firms passed on the GST benefit by cutting prices by 2-3%.

5.    No tax other than GST is now a reality

Myth : For every good or service that has been brought under GST, there won’t be any additional tax.

Reality : GST only subsumes central and state taxes and the levies charged by local bodies are still outside its ambit. Using this loophole, the Tamil Nadu government has allowed its local bodies to charge 30% tax on movie tickets over and above GST. GST is 18% for movie tickets up to Rs 100 and 28% for tickets that cost more than Rs 100.

But because of local body levies, tax in Tamil Nadu will be 48% for tickets up to Rs 100 and 58% for tickets that cost more. Not surprisingly, the cinema hall owners in the state went on strike. “Action of the Tamil Nadu government is against the spirit of the GST and the GST council should take action against it,” says Amit Sarkar, Partner and Head, Indirect Taxes, BDO India.

 6.   Economic growth will rise

Myth : GST will push up the economic growth.

Reality : Real economic growth comes from both organised and unorganised sectors. Tax evasion becomes difficult in GST, so cost advantage of unorganised sector goes and this will result in some businesses shifting to the organised sector. So, what happens will not be an in increase in ‘real’ economic growth but an increase in ‘recorded’ economic growth. However, there will be a small uptick in ‘real’ economic growth due to the improvement in the ease of doing business.

 7.  Pay GST twice for card payments

Myth : GST will be charged twice, if you make payments via credit card.

Reality : There is no additional GST for credit card payments and the confusion arose only because there is GST on additional fees—convenience charges—levied by companies. For example, you make Rs 10,000 payment and a company charges Rs 50 as convenience fee for helping you make the payment via the credit card, you have to pay 18% GST on that fee too—earlier you paid a 15% tax on it. So the 3% increase is very small—just Rs 1.5 on Rs 50.

 

Source:  http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/59501148.cms

Big data analytics to become $16 billion industry by 2025

by | posted in: Corporate & Business Advisory Services, Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs | 0
The sector is expected to reach USD 16 billion by 2025 and register CAGR of 26 per cent over next five years.

Big data analytics sector in India is expected to witness eight-fold growth to reach $16 billion by 2025 from the current $2 billion, industry experts said here.

The sector is expected to reach $16 billion by 2025 and register CAGR of 26 per cent over next five years, they said.

According to these experts, India is currently among top 10 big data analytics markets in the world and Nasscom has set a target of making the country one among the top three markets in the next three years.

“The government, industry and academia can collaborate to build an ecosystem to generate sustainable solutions by harnessing the power of big data and digital innovation,” said WNS Global Services Group CEO Keshav Murugesh said.

“The combined power of harnessing big data and digital solutions can drive tremendous results in improving the citizen experience, implementation efficiency and boosting the nation’s economy,” added Murugesh.

Speaking at the ‘Emerging Worlds Conference’ workshop organised by Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) in collaboration with MIT Media Labs, Murugesh said, “India is a diversified country with a wide array of challenges, and it is pertinent that we as citizens of this country, innovate to find effective solutions that can make a difference to the billion lives that live here.”

“If big data can be put to cutting-edge use for our corporations and clients, it can very well be a catalyst for the economy and the country,” he added.

The workshop brought together industry leaders, technical experts, data scientists, innovators, academic institutions, implementation collaborators and progressive corporate collaborators to source national challenges and potential solutions.

GST Network reopens for registration

by | posted in: Corporate & Business Advisory Services, Corporate Updates, Economy, Business Updates, Corporate Affairs, Income Tax,e-Filing- Individuals, Firms, Companies | 0
Opened for first time for new assessees, tax practitioners

With barely five days left for the roll-out of the goods and services tax (GST), the GST Network (GSTN), a company that provides information technology systems for the GST, reopened registration for assessees on Sunday.

 

That was for new assessees not enrolled in the existing tax system — central excise duty, service tax and state-level value added tax — and for tax practitioners such as chartered accountants. Existing assessees which did not apply earlier can also enrol. The system also opened for those to be registered as tax deducted at source (TDS) or tax collected at source (TCS).

 

So far as smoothness of registration is concerned, Archit Gupta, chief executive officer (CEO) of Cleartax, that helps assessees register on GSTN, said, “We have an online service for fresh registrations and have received applications form small & medium businesses. So far, we haven’t faced any issues in the registration process for our customers.”

 

As many as 6.56 million registrations have already been made on the GSTN, which is 81 per cent of the existing 8.01 million registrations.

 

The new assessees, as well as existing ones, will be given a month’s time to register on the GSTN from Sunday.

 

Earlier, GSTN was opened in phases since November 16 for existing tax assessees. The GSTN had stopped registrations in between, as it was to transfer data to its own data centre from an earlier hired data centre. The GST portal has already opened two windows for enrolments — first between November 8 and April 30 and then from June 1 to June 15. This is the third window to allow all taxpayers enough time to migrate to the new regime.

 

Navin Kumar, chairman of GSTN, said, “We started the migration of existing taxpayers in November and wanted to close the process by March. The government however asked us not to close it, as many were still to register. At that time, the number of people coming to the portal fell to a few thousands compared to 200,000 a day (now). But we halted the process briefly, hoping it would trigger more people to come and register when we reopen the window.” Interestingly, there was no law that required them to register as GSTs then; the Bills were passed later.

 

“In fact, I am surprised why they came. We asked the tax department to persuade them to come and migrate, so the entire credit goes to CBEC. About six million came in the first instance and then 600,000 more came in the 15 days after that,” he said.

 

There were 8.01 million registrations in the existing system. Kumar said he wondered why the 1.4 million didn’t come. He believed one factor could be the exemption threshold under VAT for most states is Rs 5 lakh, and is Rs 20 lakh under the GST. Those with a turnover below the threshold have to register if they want to claim input tax credit.

 

It is expected not all assessees would migrate to the GSTN portal as, businesses with turnover of up to Rs 5 lakh are currently exempt from VAT. But, if they are supplying to other businesses or if want to pass on credit, then they need to register their business.

 

The existing assessees were given provisional IDs if they registered with their email ID and mobile numbers. But, for the second stage and final registration, the businesses have to give details of its business, such as the shareholding pattern of business, main place of business, additional place of business, directors and bank account details etc.

 

Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia had cautioned those with provisional IDs not to rush for registration on GSTN, as they had got one month more for registration.

 

The GST Council has given relaxation for filing of returns. The assessees can file detailed, invoice-based returns by September 5 for the month of July. Had this relaxation not been given, they would have to file these returns by August 10.

 

Similarly for August, these returns could be filed by September 20, a relaxation of 10 days.

 

Meanwhile, the GSTN released three sets of videos to reach out to assessees and help them register.

 

“To help the people register themselves to the new GST portal smoothly, we have released three videos just after the opening of the portal today (Sunday). The videos are an official guide for registration which will ensure a smooth roll out of the regime. The videos have been crafted to help all taxpayers including those who are not well versed with technology to complete their enrolments,” Kumar said.

 

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/gst-network-reopens-for-registration-117062600049_1.html