The GST portal and GST Network leverage modern information technology and web tools to scale and simplify the processes of tax implementation, collections, and compliance. This is essential in a vast country like India, with a billion-plus population and tremendous regional diversities. However, most small businesses, like retailers, traders, and MSME manufacturers, are not yet conversant with modern technologies. The Govt of India has introduced the GST Suvidha Kendra ecosystem to overcome such hurdles.This article discusses the GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) concept, eligibility to open such a center, and how to set up one.  Latest Update:12th February 2025The GSTN issued an advisory clarifying the steps an applicant has to opt while applying for  GST Registration which has been updated with new requirements for Aadhaar and biometric authentication.It is pertinent to note that the changes in the registration process was brought into effect by amending the Rule 8 of the CGST Rules, 2017. Here’s what applicants need to know:Applicants not opting for Aadhaar AuthenticationYou  must visit a designated GST Suvidha Kendra (GSK) for photo capturing and document verification.After selecting "NO" for Aadhaar authentication, you will receive an email with GSK details and required documents.You can then schedule an appointment via the link in the email and visit the GSK at the allotted time.Applicants opting for Aadhaar Authentication with Biometric Verification Required):Promoters/Partners need to visit the GSK for biometric authentication and photo capturing.

An ICEGATE account is essential for any company or individual engaged in international trading business. It streamlines custom documentation processes and provides several other benefits to export-import enterprises. However, registering an account in this online portal is filled with document errors, issues with digital signature certificates and login problems. The problem mainly lies in the lack of clarity about the ICEGATE registration process. This article discusses everything you need to know about the purpose, process, status check, and other details of the ICEGATE registration.What is ICEGATE?ICEGATE, or Indian Customs Electronic Gateway, is the electronic data exchange gateway for the Indian Customs Department. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) manages this online portal, which allows international traders and logistics service providers from India to interact with the customs department. Exporters, importers and international delivery agents are statutorily required to maintain and file scores of documents related to bills of entry or shipping bills for every consignment.

GST officials can levy penalties on unpaid taxes and take other punitive actions even when taxpayers inadvertently fail to comply with rules and regulations. Besides, any GST compliance proceedings can disrupt a business's flow, seriously affecting profitability and revenue. So, learning about and thoroughly practising GST statutory compliance in any business operation is essential. This article discusses what is GST compliance and shares a standard GST compliance checklist for your business. What is GST Compliance?GST compliance is the compulsory practice of adhering to the GST Act, rules, and regulations specific to any business. These regulations vary significantly between industries, so the practical aspects of GST compliance must also consider the industry-specific variations in GST compliance guidelines. Broadly, we can segregate GST compliance into 5 categories. These are:GST registration-related compliance Tax invoicing-related compliance GST returns filing related compliance Payment of collected tax to the government Compliance related to the maintenance of business records  A company or individual business can be termed GST-compliant only when it adheres to every mandatory requirement per the GST guidelines specific to its line of business. Let us understand the concept of GST compliance with a simple business transaction. Scenario: M/s ABC Ltd is a readymade garment trader based in Kolkata.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. But what is the SDGs' purpose exactly? The SDGs can be considered a universal call to action to eradicate poverty on the planet and ensure peace and prosperity for people by 2030. There are 17 goals in total, each addressing different areas of global development.In this regard, let's look at the 17 SDGs and understand what they aim to achieve.What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals?Understanding the 17 Sustainable Development Goals explains how they interconnect and drive global progress.  Goal 1: No Poverty The first goal is to “End poverty in all its forms everywhere” by 2030. It aims to eliminate extreme poverty and  reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty. All nations would develop a social protection system so that the poor and vulnerable have equal rights to economic resources.

If you observe closely, the major challenge for a business is to ensure three things:There is a proper framework for governance and everybody knows their responsibilities.Risks to the business are managed properly, and All this is achieved while maintaining proper legal compliance.GRC is the answer to this problem. In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about GRC and how implementing the GRC framework can help your business operate seamlessly.  What is GRC?GRC consists of 3 components: Governance, Risk, and Compliance. It is a strategic framework designed to help an organisation establish a proper hierarchy, effectively manage IT and security risks, reduce costs and uncertainty, and simultaneously meet regulatory standards.A GRC strategy tries to achieve the following objectives:Integrate governance practices to ensure accountability.To develop management strategies to mitigate risks.Establish protocols that ensure compliance at all levels.If a company achieves this, it can make quicker, more efficient decisions and enhance performance. Let's learn about each component of GRC in detail.What is Governance in GRC?The G in GRC stands for Governance. Its focus is on establishing policies and frameworks that are aligned with the company goals.

Misunderstandings, missed delivery timelines, and quality issues can be everyday events for many businesses dealing with suppliers and vendors. While such incidents are sometimes beyond our control, we can often overcome these hurdles. The solution is to evaluate relations with vendors and suppliers and ensure continuous improvement in their performance.This article discusses vendor evaluation as a process and everything you must learn about its criteria, methods and tools of evaluation.What is vendor evaluation?Vendor evaluation or vendor performance evaluation is a structured process that helps assess and evaluate the performance of existing vendors and suppliers to a business based on pre-specified categories, parameters, scorecard-based tools, or other methods. This is one of the key responsibilities of the procurement department of any organisation.  Example: Let us assume "Fast Fashion" is a retail garment store. It sources clothes from multiple small garment manufacturers.

Supply disruptions, imbalances between costs and quality or lack of alignment with suppliers can make any business miserable. After all, vendors are the key business partners. The reasons behind such problems often lie in the vendor selection process. Loopholes in the process or failure to implement an appropriate process correctly can lead to selecting unfit suppliers and subsequent issuesThis article discusses everything you must know as a business owner about selecting the right vendors for your company. What is vendor selection? Vendor selection is a process that every business needs to go through for identification, evaluation and, finally, selection of appropriate suppliers for sourcing raw materials, intermediate goods and services.  Example: Assume ABC Ltd is a company willing to enter the refrigerator manufacturing business. It surveys the market, decides what types of refrigerators they would sell, and estimates a tentative sales volume they might initially achieve.

The government has made some groundbreaking reforms to revolutionize how businesses manage the GST on consignments and parcels delivered through the railways. Integrating the e-way bill for Railway transport with the Parcel Management System (PMS) and the Freight Operation Information System (FOIS) will make life easy. This blog will teach you how to complete the RR no. / et-RRs validation to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.E-Way Bill for Railway ParcelUntil recently, disclosing the e-way bill for goods and parcels transported through railways wasn't mandatory. As a result, there was a loophole, and the government was losing revenue.The GSTN (GST Network) has integrated the e-way bill for Railway parcels with the PMS and FOIS systems using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to streamline the process. Now, updating the Railway Receipt (RR No.) or the et-RR (Electronic Transmission Railway Receipt No.) in the e-way bill system is mandatory.

Over 1.73 lakhs of residential units were sold in India in just the first half of the year 2024. But owning a home comes with many challenges. Out of them, figuring out the right GST on flat purchases would probably rank in the top five. Whether you’re a real estate developer or an aspiring homeowner, understanding how GST works on property transactions in India could save you from costly penalties in the due course of time. As an aspiring future house owner, if you want to see yourself there, use this comprehensive guide to quickly understand the GST rates on flat purchases and the concerned guidelines in the easiest possible manner. Let’s get started. What is GST on Property Purchases in India?Thanks to the 2017 tax reforms, GST applies to under-construction properties awaiting a completion certificate or ready for occupancy. Just like buyers, GST benefits developers as well.

In the 53rd GST Council meeting, the Council decided on the long-standing demand from traders and manufacturers regarding waiver of interests and penalties u/s 73 for the financial year 2017-18 to 2019-20 and declared an amnesty scheme. As part of the scheme, a new GST form SPL-02 is available at the GST portal. This article discusses everything you must know about the waiver scheme under section 128A and the form SPL-02. What is GST Form SPL-02?SPL-02 is a form within the GST portal for eligible users to apply for a waiver of penalty, interest or both levied by the authority as part of a tax demand u/s 73. However, the GST officer has not passed any revision orders under Sections 107(1) or 108(1) to the appeal against the order, or the appeal is pending in the Tribunal (Section 112) or the High Court (Section 113). Who can file GST Form SPL-02?As per Section 128A(1), the registered users of the following 3 categories are eligible for application for waiver of interests or penalty or both using GST Form SPL-02:A person who received a demand order under Section 73 and had filed an appeal, but the authority has not passed any order on the first appeal u/s 107 of the CGST Act. A person who received an order on his first appeal u/s 107 of the CGST Act but filed a second appeal, and no order has been issued on the second appeal u/s 113 of the CGST Act.A person who first received a demand notice under section 74 of the CGST Act but subsequently had the demand notice reclassified under section 73.GST Form SPL-02 timelineAs per the recent advisory of the GSTN, there are 2 different timelines related to payment as per the tax demand and application submission using SPL-02. Timeline for the payment: The last payment date for the 1st and 2nd categories of users (as discussed in the preceding section of this article) is 31 March 2025. For the 3rd category of users, the last date of payment is the date ending the 6-month period from the date on which the reclassification (u/s 73) order was issued. Timeline for application submission for waiver (the amnesty scheme): The application deadline for the 1st and 2nd category users is 30 June 2025 (three months from 31 March 2025). For reclassification cases (u/s 73), the application deadline is the date ending 6 months from the date of communication of the reclassification order.   Step-by-Step process to file GST Form SPL-02Here is the step-by-step process for applying for a waiver under the amnesty scheme using SPL-02. Step 1: Log into the GST portal. Step 2: Go to the My Application section under the Services tab. (Services > User Services > My Applications). Step 3: Select the ‘‘Apply for Waiver Scheme under Section 128A’ option from the Application Type dropdown menu once the My Application page opens.