GST Network (GSTN) has been going through a lot of updates and changes aimed at improving the user-friendliness of the portal and making it easier for the taxpayer to file their returns. As per latest reports, the GST engineers have been working on a user interface that might provide solutions in addition to spelling out errors.
GST CEO, Mr Prakash Kumar, in response to the questions asked regarding the prevailing technical issues, slow processing, export refunds, etc., on the GSTN, said that the new system is being developed on the errors and shortcomings of the existing system. The process of return filing is expected to be quite simpler in the coming months.
Mr Kumar further added, we have simplified the GSTR-3B to the extent that the system now itself tells how much input credit is due and how and where it should be distributed. The process of generating the challan is as easier as pushing a button on the keyboard. As of now, the system only shows error, while showing no more details. Now, a specific code will be assigned to each error so that system can identify it and tell users more about the problem and the possible solution.
The network is also working in collaboration with the GST Council to develop an easier return process, which will be implemented soon. The system is also much faster now and processing more returns in less time. In fact, the system has recently created a record by generating 21 lakh e-way bills, which includes 41% inter-state and 59% intra-state bills, in a single day. The new system will perform even better.
The export refund process has also been optimized over past months. Exporters, who are paying taxes (IGST) and filing GSTR 1 and 3B by submitting shipping bills on time, are getting automatic refunds upon verification from the custom. The process hardly takes 5 to 6 days. However, the cases where tax is not paid yet refund liability is generated, manual verification is done by the assessing officer, who checks whether the input claim amount is in line with the purchases made. As far as the performance of the GST system is concerned, everything is going fine. In fact, the assessment task is also expected to get easier soon with the introduction of the back-end system.