GST - REVIEW SERVICES
GST in India has been implemented from 1.7.2017. With introduction of GST, way of doing business has
changed throwing ample opportunities for structured businesses to optimise tax and costs. It has thrown
up challenges as well for the business as the law is comparatively new with regular amendments presently
at a rapid pace.
Our experience over last 3 decades in indirect taxation and experience in handling GST implementation
support including extensive research in GST domain makes us your ideal partner in ensure compliance with
GST law and other value added support services. The services offered are as follows:
REVIEW OF GST TRANSITION
GST law got introduced much earlier than business expected. India Inc. was skeptical of introduction of
GST in the month of July 2017 especially due to lack of preparation from GSTN for compliance. There were
few taxpayers who got the GST impact assessment done and prepared to comply with GST. They incidentally
gained a lot financially by being "ready". However, majority of them could not get the impact assessment
and moved to GST without having alternative option. The law is still new and there are few opportunities
left for them to get the GST transition review which could include the following:
GST impact on business functions: A brief analysis of GST impact on key business functions such as
procurement, production, warehousing, distribution, supply chain management, information technology,
working capital and other functional areas could conducted considering the GST rates, exemptions,
concessions. This could help in cost control, pricing strategies etc.
Assist in compliance with transitional provisions of GST: Transition from existing phase to GST involves
substantial challenges. We review the issues in earlier indirect tax systems to ensure that all eligible
benefits are carried forward in GST regime including other compliance needs. This would limit the
exposure of demands in prior period.
Standard Operating procedures (SOPs): Design and Review: Professional organisation requires SOPs for key
business functions. There could be need to review existing SOPs considering the GST law which is
developing on regular basis and design new SOPs in accordance with GST. We help in meeting all the
requirements around design and modification SOPs for key business functions.
GST COMPLIANCE REVIEW ON PERIODICAL BASIS
We could expect regular developments in the new GST law as GST council would be considering the interests
of various stakeholders from time to time. The level and need of compliance is also high in GST and
organization may need help of professionals to ensure compliance with changing law. We may provide
assistance in ensuring compliance by conducting GST compliance review on periodical basis covering all
functions having impact in GST. This could include sales, procurements, inventory, finance etc. Such
review would also be helpful for GST annual audit which is mandatory as per GST provisions for assesses
with turnover of more than Rs.2 crore in a financial year. Periodical review could help the organization
to ensure compliance, take benefits of credits, update with changes in rate of taxes et. Broadly, this
would cover the following:
Review of GST outward supplies, tax rates applied, concessions, exemptions claimed, fulfillment of
related conditions, export benefits claimed etc.
Review of GST input tax credits claimed to assess eligibility, ineligibility, completeness,
documentation for credits, transitional credits carry forward etc.
Review of procedural compliances including GST registrations obtained, payment of taxes, filing of
returns, disclosure of ITC & outward supplies in returns, movement of goods for job work, carry forward
of credits etc.
Review of reverse charge compliance by reviewing the expense ledgers on sampling basis, payments made,
availment of re-credit after payment, eligibility of such credits, rate and abatements if any claimed
including documentation.
GST AREA SPECIFIC REVIEWS
Review could also be conducted for specified areas as discussed below:
Specific areas review: Area specific reviews could also be a need of few organisations such as sales,
procurements, exports, GST credits, refunds etc. We carry out area specific review to meet the purpose.
Review of systems: Compliance burden in GST is high as many of the processes are being automated. There
is need for having proper system in place as to process, procedures, documentations and other aspects
for easy compliance. We could assist in designing the systems by reviewing the systems to suit the
business requirement and at the same time, ensure the full compliance of GST.
Agreement review: Review of existing agreements and suggestion could be provided for compliance with GST
and optimizing the benefits.
Review of disputes and refund cases: Advent of GST has resulted in repeal of indirect taxes such as
service tax, central excise and VAT. There is need for assessing the impact of GST on pending disputed
cases and refund claims. We assess the impact of these cases under new regime and suggest the course of
actions to be taken to mitigate the adverse impact.
GST DUE DILIGENCE REVIEW
In business restructuring deals, tax due diligence of buyer side is required. This may required to be
done voluntarily by buyer or based on specific direction by seller. The review is intended to highlight
the tax exposure which may carry to new entity. This becomes more critical in cases where entity is
exposed to multiple indirect tax laws. We have tax experts having in-depth knowledge in due diligence
review to support the parties to deal or other professional advisors. The team identifies areas of non
compliance, potential threats thereof and suggest remedial measures. Based on review, we are able to
suggest alternative structuring strategy to optimise tax incidence.
GST REVIEW BEFORE DEPARTMENTAL AUDIT
Departmental audit is undertaken to gauge revenue leakage. This may ultimately culminate into litigation
proceeding against the assessees. The cost of such unearthing is very high especially due to higher rate
of interest and imposition of penalty upto 100%. With our experience, we know the possible target areas
of department and methodology adopted for audit. We carry out the review before department officers come
to your office and highlight areas which need immediate actions to minimise/avoid the risk of possible
future litigation.
GST COMPLIANCE REVIEW TO SUPPORT AUDITORS
In recent years, reporting obligations of statutory, tax and internal auditor have increased manifold.
They are required to mention the extent of non-compliance under indirect taxation also. We support
chartered accountants and other professionals in undertaking compliance review during the course of
their statutory, tax and internal audit so that they are able to meet their statutory obligations. This
sometimes, also opens up huge tax planning opportunities for the client.