ICAI Invites Feedback on GSTAT Portal Amid Technical, Procedural Issues
ICAI has invited stakeholders to submit feedback on technical and procedural issues in the GSTAT portal
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has invited suggestions from stakeholders on the functioning of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) portal citing technical glitches and procedural challenges faced by users.
In an official communication issued by its GST & Indirect Taxes Committee, ICAI said the GSTAT has now been formally constituted and its portal has been operational since September 24, 2025. The Tribunal marks a key milestone in India’s indirect tax framework, providing a specialised forum for resolving GST disputes and streamlining the appellate process.
Despite becoming functional, taxpayers and professionals have reported difficulties while using the portal. These include technical issues as well as challenges in filing appeals and navigating hearing procedures. ICAI said it intends to compile these concerns and share consolidated feedback with the relevant authorities to improve the system.
The development comes at a time when the GSTAT ecosystem is still stabilising after years of delay. Although GST was introduced in 2017, the appellate tribunal envisioned as a crucial second-tier forum under the Central GST Act remained non-operational for several years due to legal and administrative hurdles. The Tribunal was finally launched in September 2025, and hearings began in early 2026, completing the GST dispute resolution structure.
The GSTAT portal is designed as a fully digital platform where appeals are filed, processed, and tracked online, reflecting the government’s push toward a technology-driven tax system. However, the transition has not been entirely smooth. Earlier this year, the Tribunal itself acknowledged these initial difficulties and granted a six-month leniency period, directing registries to overlook minor procedural defects in filings.
ICAI has now urged its members and other stakeholders to submit their suggestions, issues and feedback through a dedicated online portal. The last date for submission is April 15, 2026.
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