CY 2020 Implores GST to settle down

Well, a blog from a tax professional would not be different musings. Calendar 2019 held on to GST like
the Moon which eclipsed the Sun rays from reaching Mother Earth. A calendar 2019 that is just nearing
its end which focused on the Technological aspect more than the Tax framework for which it exists. Yes
colleagues, we spent more time this year on the form ( IT backbone of the Tax ) more than addressing
framework issues that need more attention.

We practically went through the year looking at March, July, November and December et al for filing
Annual returns. We scraped through every element of the statutory forms and we asked for more
simplicity and easy to work info trace.

While the world waited in baited breath to see whether our GST was headed to be canned, the Indian
resolve of holding out has paid off partly. We have seen through the difficult days of GSTR-2A credit
recos, E-Way bill controversies, need to punish those thrive on holes in a honest tax system etc and we
have just crossed the woods. As Thomas Frost said: “We have miles to go before we sleep” and with a
destination in mind, let us take an informed roll call of the de minimis for 2020 so that we enjoy our
largest IDT reform settling down.

A) Let us file Returns ( Annual) and let the assessment process begin.( Do ) ( Please for heaven sake
2017-18)

B) Let the States come more to the forefront than the tax being Union-driven. Why cannot we ask States
to address GST Techincal issues solutions and place pilot projects for them. ( Example One State X
addresses Composite / Mixed supply issue with solutions and place it independently to the Council and
Law Committee instead of a joint team) (Do more)

C ) Let us not keep tinkering with rates anymore on a quick basis. Let us wait to get full impact of
measures to pump up economy, fructify before we increase the rates. ( Avoid / Refrain)

D ) Let us not make it appear that the Technical might of Tax backbone ( data mining, analytics ) will
unleash a raid raj ( Do less ). Any dishonest activity can be punished according to law without making it
appear like a Tiger hunt.
E) Advance Rulings need to be made more sincere in understanding commercial practices rather than
hearing a case to decide a higher rate of Tax. ( Refraining)

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