Flipkart applies for a license to become GST Suvidha Provider

In a bid to expand its seller base, Flipkart has applied for a licence to become a GST Suvidha Provider, reports Economic Times.

The license will give homegrown e-tailer direct access to the GST Network and will also help it process invoices in-house, rather than outsource and control costs associated with tax collection at source. A GSP licence gives companies (in this case Flipkart) the advantage of uploading more than 2 billion invoices in a month.

Besides, the e-tailer can access technology solutions for taxpayers and other stakeholders. This will allow them to connect to the GST system for compliance from stage one which is registration till the end cycle that is uploading details and filing returns.

GSP- GST Suvidha Provider

The government has set up large technology platform called GSTN (GST Network) which will store all data pertaining to GST (including invoices and returns) and created multiple gates to this infrastructure through GSP (GST Suvidha Provider) who will carry taxpayer data to GSTN servers.

A GSP provides technology solutions for taxpayers and other stakeholders to connect to GST systems for compliance -from registration of the entity to uploading of invoice details and filing returns.

Citing sources, the ET report said that Flipkart is one of over 200 applications received in the second phase by GSTN. Several startups such as ClearTax, Juspay and LegalRaasta have also applied for GSP licences after GSTN lowered eligibility criteria in terms of paid-up capital and turnover in the second phase.

The final list of GSPs will be out after a demonstration of GST solutions by the shortlisted companies.