E commerce operator with no commission

Hey! Here’s the clarity on your scenario:

Is this person an e-commerce operator under GST?

No, not really, based on the descripttion:

• E-commerce operator under GST means a person who owns or operates an electronic platform for facilitating supply of goods or services or both, and collects commission or fees from sellers or buyers.

• In your case:

  • The app only displays gold/silver rates for users to see and connect offline.

  • No actual sale or purchase happens on the platform.

  • No commission or fee is charged by the owner of the app.

This means the person is NOT facilitating supply of goods or services via the platform, but just providing information service.

What does this imply for GST registration?

• Since no supply is being facilitated through the platform, the person is not an e-commerce operator under GST law.

• However, the person is providing an information service through the app.

• If the aggregate turnover from such information services crosses the GST registration threshold (e.g., Rs. 20 lakh or Rs. 10 lakh in special category states), then registration for GST is required as a regular service provider.

• If the person is not charging any money (no fee, no subscripttion, no commission), then turnover may be nil or minimal and GST registration may not be mandatory.

Summary:

What to do next?

• Assess if the app owner is charging anything (subscripttion, ads, or any service fees).

• If charging fees and turnover crosses threshold → get regular GST registration.

• If no income from app → no GST registration needed for now.