To facilitate traders, shopkeepers, small businessmen, and the public at large the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has set up GST help desks (Sahayata Desks). These desks have been set-up from May 28th and will be operational until September 30th, 2017.

The idea behind this endeavor is to help people understand multiple facets of GST in as simple manner as possible by ICAI experts. So far, ICAI is successful in addressing around thousands of queries through this initiative. 

ICAI has been instrumental in creating awareness on the overhaul exercises pertaining to GST. Besides setting up help desks, it has organized 19 Interactive Programmes on GST for trade associations, and over 1500 workshops, seminars and conferences across the country since January 2017 to spread awareness about country’s biggest economic reform. Also, ICAI has organized outreach programs in Association with Service Tax Commissionerate at Kolkata, Delhi & Ahmedabad. 

Nilesh Shivji Vikamsey, President ICAI says, “We believe that given ICAI's wide reach, lakhs of committed members, and knowledge base on tax matters, we must extend all cooperation to the government for successful and glitch free switch over to the GST regime and make PM Modi's vision of one nation, one tax a reality. GST is a major reform that will redefine the taxation structure of the country and will deliver immense benefits to the economy, various stakeholders and the general public. As with any new reform, there are certain queries and confusion surrounding GST at the moment and we are happy to handhold small & medium scale industries as well as the trading community to help them become GST ready.”

The statutory body for regulating the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country has unveiled multiple ground breaking initiatives to ensure smooth implementation of GST. It has taken certain notable steps including the creation of 20 study groups to support to State Governments and providing certificate course on GST at 36+ locations across the country. ICAI has also come up with publications on various aspects GST to create awareness on the impending tax reform and it has formulated the Revised Scheme of Education and Training.

“We are delighted to launch Revised Scheme of Education and Training for CA students keeping in mind the evolving role of Chartered Accountants (CAs) in the current economic scenario. The revised course intends to promote innovation and bring about out of box thinking in the curriculum and education system of Chartered Accountancy course,” adds Nilesh Shivji Vikamsey. 

ICAI has played a key role in the country’s biggest indirect tax reform right from the planning stage. It has actively participated in the drafting of GST rules besides conducting studies on the economies of J&K and Delhi to understand the impact of GST implementation.