The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax levied on the amount of value-added at each stage of the supply of goods and services. It aims to minimize inefficiencies in the tax system that lead to ‘tax on tax,’ also known as tax cascading. GST is a destination-based consumption tax, meaning that the state’s portion of interstate commerce taxes goes to the state where the end consumer lives rather than the exporting state. The national and state GST components are equivalent.
Take a look at how GST works in the following the areas:
- Manufacturer: The manufacturer will be responsible for paying GST on the raw materials purchased and the value added to the product.
- Service Provider: The service provider will be required to pay GST on the amount paid for the goods and the value added to them. On the other hand, the manufacturer’s tax can be deducted from the total GST that should be paid.
- Retailer: The retailer is liable for paying GST on the product purchased from the distributor as well as the profit margin. On the other hand, the retailer’s tax can be deducted from the total GST that should be paid.
- Consumer: GST should be applied to the purchased item.
Who is liable to pay GST?
GST is payable by businesses and dealers with yearly sales above Rs20 lakh. For the northeastern and other similar category states, the GST barrier is approximately Rs 10 lakh. Regardless of this level, GST is levied on interstate transactions.
What are the benefits of GST?
GST makes the taxes charged on the supply of goods and services more transparent. When people buy anything, they only see the state taxes on the product label, not the many embedded tax components. Removing entrance obstacles along state boundaries would make it easier to do business under the GST. The new indirect tax system is intended to enhance tax compliance, increase revenue receipts for federal and state governments, and promote GDP growth by 1.5-2 percentage points. The elimination of tax cascading will result in lower tax burdens on the GST rate on transport of goods by road.
Learning about GST
GST, unlike income tax, is a patchwork of laws. GST is divided into several acts, rules, and notifications. A few provisions adopted by legislation have been postponed or put on hold due to reports, while others have been enacted but have yet to take effect. GST is a complex technique to master for its complicated and dispersed character. As a result, if you want to become a GST specialist, you’ll need both time and patience. You may study GST by following the fundamental guidelines listed below.
Skills you need to learn about GST
- Comprehensive Knowledge of GST Regime
As previously said, India has one of the world’s most complicated indirect tax systems. There are three types of taxes in the Indian GST system:
1. CGST
2. SGST/UTST
3. IGST
The Central Products and Services Tax (CGST) is a tax charged by the federal government on intra-state commerce of goods and services, and the CGST Act controls it. The State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) is a state-imposed tax that the SGST Act controls. The Integrated Products and Services Tax (IGST) is a tax that will be charged on all interstate supplies of goods and services, and the IGST Act will control it. You must be aware of the business’s intrastate and interstate character in order to avoid paying overriding taxes.
- Organization Skill
As a GST specialist, you must juggle numerous tax slabs, file taxes before the deadline, and stay on top of any new notifications, among other things. As you can see, the various tasks need a diverse range of talents. You’ll require solid organizational abilities, such as time management, scheduling, planning, and collaboration. Managing bulk work with adequate GST training becomes much simpler since it raises your organization’s expertise.
- Time Management
“Time is more important than money,” as the proverb goes, and every business understands this. You are expected to do your assignment on time like a professional. Good time management and organizing abilities go hand in hand. Working under pressure and re-prioritizing your to-do list on a regular basis will get you far. It will also assist you in maintaining a healthy work/life balance and keep you productive daily.
- Numeracy Skills
A good GST professional must have solid numerical abilities, but you don’t have to be a math genius. GST professionals, in general, work with numbers. Therefore knowing how to do so won’t harm. You may exhibit business insights from the data and apply them for the company’s growth if you know specific statistical approaches and Microsoft Excel.
- Problem Solving Skills
Tax experts are sometimes misunderstood as those who assist with tax filing and compliance. We don’t usually equate creativity with these occupations. Tax experts, contrary to widespread assumptions, are very innovative since they are the ones who develop ways to decrease the tax burden. GST professionals are also expected to be problem-solving experts. And the most effective approach to learning is to begin by listening. Listen carefully to others; many issues may be handled if people begin to listen to one another.
- Attention to Detail
The regulations for the GST tax indicate exactly what they mean, and you must read them exactly in that manner. This necessitates paying close attention to each and every word. Before transmitting the information to others, double-check the paper for any errors. Check for both uniformity and irregularity. If a change in the tax regime supports the contradiction, you don’t need to be concerned.
Accountability is critical as a GST professional in terms of retaining client trust and company correctness. A successful professional takes a delicate balance of accuracy, precision, and honesty. This implies that it’s fine to confess when you’ve made a mistake as long as you own up to it and attempt to prevent it from happening again.