In a bid to suggest simplification in compliance and filing of returns to overcome the Goods and Services Tax (GST) glitches, the GST Practitioners across India has recently formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC).
On the occasion of a two-day national conclave of tax practitioners concluded in Ahmedabad announced the launch of JAC.
The main objective of the committee is to fill the gap of a nation-wide body to represent to the authorities the issues faced by businessmen and tax practitioners at the grass-root level.
Close to 200 delegates from 29 states and Union Territories participated in the conclave. Representatives from each state will be a part of the JAC. A core body within JAC will also be formed to coordinate the activities of JAC.
The conclave witnessed deliberations on a host of issues, and suggestions to simplify the system will be submitted to the GST Council. “The upcoming meeting of GST Council has suggested 46 amendments, the conclave deliberated on a wider range of issues. We were surprised with the kind of issues faced under GST in different parts of the country,” said Axat Vyas, one of the key organizers of the conclave.
Some of the major suggestions include single one-click monthly return, allowing rectification in returns and creation of an activity log for traders to trace their actions, among a host of others. The Conclave also deliberated on shortcomings of the Act.
A press release issued in this regard pointed out that the status and recognition which has been granted to and earned by the Tax Practitioners and Tax Advocates till date under various Central and State Taxation Laws was expected under the GST Law also. However, considering the presence of a professional fraternity beyond a Chartered Accountant and/or a Cost Accountant has been missed out invariably while implementing GST Law. There are more than 4,00,000 approximately, Tax Practitioners and equivalent or a number of Tax Advocates practicing taxation laws throughout the country in different States.
“Considered from the point of view of Assessee also, it would be a difficult situation for assessee because for returns and assessment proceedings assessee appoint a Tax Consultant or Tax Advocate and for GST Audit assessee will be required to approach a CA or Cost Accountant. This will also result in the extra financial burden of fees on assessee,” it said.
Therefore, the Tax Consultants and Tax Advocates strongly suggest that they may be granted equivalent authority as a Chartered Accountant and a Cost Accountant in relation to conduct GST Audit and Certification.
