Tax Associations representation on deficiency in functioning of GST Portal

All Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants (AGFTC) and Income Tax Bar Association (ITBA) have made representation before Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on deficiency in functioning of GST Portal.

The Text of the Representation Read as follows:

We, All Gujarat Federation of Tax Consultants (AGFTC) and Income Tax Bar Association (ITBA), Ahmedabad are writing to bring to your attention a significant issue that occurred on 10th and 11th April 2024, regarding the non-functioning of the GST portal that directly affects taxpayers and tax practitioners, necessitating your kind consideration.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal is a platform for taxpayers to comply with various GST-related requirements, including filing returns, making payments, and availing input tax credits. However, on the aforementioned dates, the GST portal experienced prolonged periods of downtime and instability, preventing taxpayers from accessing crucial functionalities.

This unexpected outage has resulted in several adverse consequences, including:

1. Inability to file GST returns within the prescribed deadlines, leading to potential penalties and compliance issues.

2. Delay in claiming input tax credit due to non-reflection of Tax credit in GSTR 2B, impacting cash flows and increasing the financial burden on businesses.

3. Disruption in business operations and loss of productivity due to the time spent attempting to access the non-responsive portal.

4. Frustration and inconvenience experienced by taxpayers, eroding trust and confidence in the GST system.

Given the critical nature of the GST portal in facilitating compliance and ensuring the smooth functioning of the GST regime, such instances of downtime are highly detrimental to taxpayers and the overall economy. It is imperative that the GST portal maintains optimal performance and reliability to safeguard the interests of taxpayers and promote ease of doing business.

In light of the above, we on behalf of AGFTC and ITBA respectfully urge the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs to take prompt action to address the issues plaguing the GST portal and prevent the recurrence of such disruptions in the future. Additionally, we request the board to provide timely updates and transparent communication to stakeholders regarding the steps taken to rectify the technical issues and improve the overall performance of the portal.

As a responsible tax practitioner, we are committed to complying with GST obligations diligently. However, we appeal for the cooperation and support of the authorities in ensuring a robust and efficient GST infrastructure that facilitates seamless compliance for all stakeholders.

Thank you for considering this representation. We trust that appropriate measures will be taken to address the concerns raised and enhance the reliability of the GST portal for the benefit of the taxpayer community.

For Official Representation – Click Here