GST – Way forward for India Inc

GST (Goods and Services Tax) has been one of the most significant economic reforms in India. It was launched in July 2017, replacing several indirect taxes like Excise duty, Service Tax, and VAT. The implementation of GST has brought about a significant change in the way businesses function in India, and its impact has been felt across all sectors of the economy. In this article, we will discuss the way forward for India Inc. with GST, its impact on small and medium businesses, and the challenges faced by them. We will also explore the benefits of GST and how it can be used to propel the growth of the Indian economy.

Impact of GST on Small and Medium Businesses:

One of the primary objectives of GST was to bring small and medium businesses into the formal economy. However, the implementation of GST has not been smooth sailing for these businesses. The initial implementation of GST was met with a lot of confusion and compliance-related issues. Many of these businesses were not prepared for the new tax regime, and the transition was difficult.

One of the significant challenges faced by small and medium businesses is the compliance burden. The GST regime requires businesses to file multiple returns, and this has increased the compliance-related costs for businesses. The compliance burden has been particularly hard on small businesses, which lack the resources to manage the additional compliance requirements.

The implementation of GST has also had a significant impact on the working capital of small and medium businesses. Under the earlier tax regime, businesses could claim input tax credit on inputs used in the production of goods and services. However, under the GST regime, businesses are required to pay tax on input supplies and claim input tax credit only after the payment of taxes. This has led to an increase in the working capital requirements of businesses.

Way Forward for India Inc. with GST:

Despite the challenges faced by small and medium businesses, there is no denying that the implementation of GST has been a significant step towards a more formal and transparent economy. With the implementation of GST, India has become a common market, and businesses can now freely move goods and services across state lines. This has led to a reduction in logistics and transportation costs, which has benefited businesses of all sizes.

The way forward for India Inc. with GST is to simplify the compliance requirements for small and medium businesses. The GST Council has taken several steps to simplify the compliance requirements, including the introduction of the composition scheme for small businesses, the increase in the threshold limit for registration, and the reduction in the number of returns to be filed.

Another way to simplify the compliance requirements is by introducing technology-driven solutions. The government has launched several initiatives like the GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network) and the e-way bill system to simplify compliance requirements for businesses. The government can also consider introducing a single return system to reduce the compliance burden on businesses.

Benefits of GST:

Despite the challenges faced by businesses, there are several benefits of GST for India Inc. One of the significant benefits of GST is the removal of cascading tax effects. Under the earlier tax regime, businesses had to pay multiple taxes, which led to the cascading effect of taxes. However, under the GST regime, businesses can claim input tax credit, which has led to a reduction in the overall tax burden.

Another benefit of GST is the creation of a common market in India. With the implementation of GST, businesses can now move goods and services freely across state lines, which has led to a reduction in logistics and transportation costs. This has benefited businesses of all sizes and has led to a reduction in the overall cost of doing business in India.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, GST has been a game-changer for the Indian economy, and its implementation has brought about significant changes in the way businesses function in India. The way forward for India Inc. with GST is to simplify the compliance requirements for small and medium businesses and to introduce technology-driven solutions to reduce the compliance burden. The benefits of GST far outweigh the challenges faced by businesses, and it has the potential to propel the growth of the Indian economy.