GST portal goes live, GSTN's software is 60 per cent ready

Another milestone has been achieved on Tuesday towards implementation of GST regime from April 2017.Government made GST portal ‘www.gst.gov.in’ has gone live for migrating tax payers. The website will enable easy filing of returns and tax payments through credit/debit cards and other modes.

As much as 60 per cent of the software needed to run GST is ready and GSTN is the company building the gigantic infrastructure and IT backbone for it. It is working on balance 40 per cent. It will test the software for integrating a welter of state and central levies before the GST model comes into being from April next financial year.

The GSTN is building four data centres spread across Delhi and Bengaluru to ensure that the data is safe, secure and to ensure data recovery, whenever required. A provisional identification number, called GSTIN for the assesses who have moved to the new portal is being generated. New registrations under GST will start from April 2017.

Traders will have six-month time after the roll out of GST to submit their information. The existing tax payer data will start migrating in November. Meanwhile, normal dealers will have to file monthly returns under the GST regime.  Traders with a turnover of up to Rs 50 lakh and availing compounding/composite scheme will have to file tax returns quarterly.