KCCI discusses taxation-related issues with Commissioner Sales Taxes

Srinagar, Feb 2: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) team made a presentation of issues facing Trade, Commerce and Industry in a special meeting convened by the Commissioner Taxes, PK Bhat at Srinagar today.

The KCCI team led by Secretary General, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi comprised Fayaz Ahmad (Alfa), Sardar Rajwant Singh and Abid Hussain Pandita members of KCCI.

As per the statement, KCCI congratulated Bhat on his appointment as Commissioner and expressed confidence that as the son of the soil, he was conversant with the longstanding problems of taxpayers which needed his attention for resolution at a faster pace.

The Commissioner's attention was invited to the issues dating back to the 2014 floods, VAT and GST regime that have remained unresolved.

KCCI welcomed the announcement of the recent pre-GST Amnesty Scheme and sought its application in a way that suited smaller and larger amnesty seekers. KCCI stressed the need for awareness among taxpayers and interpretation of various provisions of the GST Act which the taxpayers and tax experts find conflicting with the interpretation of the officials.

The commissioner's attention was also drawn to the need to have a friendly relationship between the Department and the taxpayers about which there are many complaints. It was demanded that the raid system should end and the tax-paying business community be treated with the respect and dignity it deserves, more so, in the light of increased tax collection year by year.

The KCCI raised pre-GST and Post GST unresolved issues especially the discrepancies in GST Tax returns during the initial stage of the GST regime. The matter of tax mismatch on GST, failure of GST Deposit by Government Departments to suppliers/ contractors, non-existing Tribunals, and non-reimbursement were among other issues raised and presented in a memorandum to the commissioner.

As per the statement, he assured that there was no scope of harassment caused to the trading community by Tax officials and if such complaints were reported the same be communicated to the Additional Commissioner or him.

He also assured that whatever was within his jurisdiction would be done and that he would make efforts to formulate an opinion at a higher level for taking up the matters with the GST Council adding that some of the issues raised were being faced and raised by traders across the country which he hoped would be addressed in coming times.

In the meanwhile, the KCC&I in compliance with the order of the Deputy Registrar of Companies, UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh filed the required documents on the due date. The submitted documents pertained to the period that included the period during which the compliance was pending, the statement said.