Pune: The lack of awareness about the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rate Finder App launched by the government in the beginning of July is leading to confusion among consumers about GST rates. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, is trying to raise awareness, people continue to be unsure of the tax levied on a wide range of products and services.
Speaking during ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, Modi spoke about the GST Rate Finder app and urged people to download it to avoid confusion with regard to tax rates. Officials from Central GST department in Pune, too, are trying to generate awareness about the app so that consumers can access GST rates at the touch of a finger.
City-based working professional, Yash Jalan said that the app has been very helpful.
“I am associated with the construction industry and was uncertain about the tax slab on many input goods and services. I heard about the application and instantly downloaded it. It has been very useful and has cleared a lot of doubts in my mind about the taxation of most of the products and services I have to deal with,” he said.
Jalan further mentioned that the app is quite user-friendly. “Once you enter the name of the product or the Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) code on the search bar, a list appears on the screen. Any description in the GST rate table consisting of that word is displayed on the screen. For example, if you put in cement in the search bar, a list of seven to eight pointers which have the word cement mentioned in it appears on the screen,” he added.
He said that it was surprising that such a useful app has not been well publicised.
“I did not know until a few days ago that such an app exists. I happened to hear about it and things are much clear now. I believe that the GST departments across the country must generate greater awareness about this application which will certainly lead to a smoother transition into the GST regime,”Jalan said.
