Small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those operating online, highlighted challenges in obtaining Goods and Services Tax (GST) licenses during a webinar hosted by FISME and the Tamil Chamber of Commerce.
With Tamil Nadu’s 5 million MSMEs constituting 8% of India’s registrations, concerns were raised over tax officials’ stringent registration rules, particularly affecting online businesses.
Ankit Jain, a consultant aiding State sellers on GST matters, emphasised the department’s reluctance to accept registrations from shared spaces, citing instances of officials demanding physical presence with short notice.
According to Sangita Prakash, Director at Deloitte, simplifying registration procedures and adapting to evolving business models are crucial for enhancing ease of doing business.
Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary-General of FISME, stressed the need for clear guidelines and increased awareness among GST officers. He emphasised dialogue between MSME bodies and the GST department to streamline processes and ensure compliance.
