Group of Ministers proposes Fusion model for GST Return Filing

Taxpayers have been finding the current return filing system difficult by using GST online portal assigned to it. Resolution of same has been the primary focus of the Government since the implementation of the Law. In order to resolve the matter, the GST Council, in its last meeting, has directed a Group of Minister to consult tax experts and stakeholder from industry on how to make the experience better for the taxpayers. On Tuesday, the group of Ministers had met with about 40 industry representatives and 15 tax experts for simplifying the GST return Filing procedure.

Primary Agenda of meeting:

The main agenda of the meeting was to meet the industry experts and the stakeholders to take their suggestions, views and advice regarding the simplification of the online GST Return filing procedure and E-Way Bill.

Key focused points

• Simplification of returns and filing process by removing the complications
• Introducing single return combining others prevailing at present (GSTR-1, GSTR-2 and GSTR-3)
• Simplifying the return filing for businesses with Zero Tax Liability, where businesses belong to this category can file the returns twice a year.
• Implementation of Reverse charge Mechanism

​​​​​​Conclusions of the GoM Meet:

Mechanism on Reverse Charge:

The Ministers targeted two points as main i.e. RCM implementation and the simplification of the return filing. The Ministers has met on Monday under the supervision of Chief Minister of Bihar, Sushil Modi in Delhi, where discussion over the implementation of RCM was made. The discussion resulted in the deferment of the provisions until 30th June of this year, which will be considered again next month by the ministers.

The Law Review Committee recommended the dealers who were registered under the composition scheme and under the purview of RCM. In addition, for the unregistered dealers, the collection of details is suggested to depend on the PAN or Aadhaar card or other similar identifiers. Rationalization of the mechanism is under consideration to justify the cost and compliance of taxpayers.

Simplified GST return Filing:

With the consideration of the Simplification of GST filing, the panel has discussed over the two different models as a part of the simplification procedure and finally decided to refer the model that combines the best features of both the models. This combined model is referred as the 'Fusion Model' which bears the following principles:

• Protection on Revenue Interest
• Avoiding Inconvenience to Taxpayers
• Simplifying the complex system

This Fusion Model proposes deployment of a single page return merging details of all the current returns. The final draft will be presented to the GST council for the approval of the considerations. However, the implementation of new system is still not clear but it is anticipated and introduced in the last quarter or in next year. The forthcoming changes in the laws will be incorporated in the models before its implementation. At present, Taxpayers are filing their sales returns monthly in GSTR-3B form along with GSTR-1 as per the due date.

Intra-State e-Way Bill - more States to join from 20th April:

The inter-state movement of goods are regulated through e-Way Bill since 1st April 2018, which was implemented across nation. The implementation of the e-Way Bill on intra-state movement of goods was proposed to be implemented in phased manner in all States of the country, for which 5 States in the first phases were covered. The first phase of intra-state e-Way Bill is rolled out since 15th April 2018 in States of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. In yesterday's meeting, the announcement was made for introducing the second phase of the system. The intra-state e-way bill is to be implemented in another six states from 20th April. The states under 2nd phase of implementation are Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Tripura and Uttarakhand in next phase implementation. The bill is mandatory for intra-state movements of the consignment value more than Rs 50,000 since 20th April 2018.

Clarification for form GSTR - 4 by Composition Dealers:

The clarification realized yesterday provides that serial 4A of Table 4 shall not be furnished for the tax period of July, 2017 to September, 2017 and October, 2017 to December, 2017.  It is further clarified that where the supplies are not taking place under reverse charge, the taxpayers who have opted to pay tax under the composition levy shall not furnish the data in serial number 4A of Table 4 of FORM GSTR-4 for the tax periods January, 2018 to March, 2018 and subsequent tax periods.

Upcoming Compliance Calendar under GST:

During this suggestions being given, let's not delay the filing of GST Return at present. Below mentioned is the list of due dates for GST return filing in near future.

The matter under consideration of the GST Council and the Group of Members is to make the processes simpler for the stakeholder without affecting the importance of the compliance matters. Where the taxpayers have been facing many glitches since its implementation, the compliance ration is reported very low in previous Financial Year. One of the prime reasons reported is not to come under the surveillance of the Department. Apart from other matters, removing system glitches is the prime focus of the department at present.

The final reports of this meeting will be furnished to the GST Council in its next meeting incorporating the suggestions and reviews received while consultation with the representatives of the industries and tax experts.

About Author:

The Author is the co-founder of India's premier online service provider, LegalWiz.in, which serves the consumers across country and assists them for tax registration and filing including that of GST. He can also be reached at support@legalwiz.in