To help clear confusion over returns filing and tax planning under the impending GST regime, online tax filing portal ClearTax will act as an advisor to traders and businesses, assisting them in filing returns.

ClearTax.com Founder and CEO, Archit Gupta, said there could be teething trouble arising in the initial 12-18 months after GST roll-out and the online tax filing portal will launch mobile apps to help businesses file returns on the go.

The government aims to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from April 1, 2017. Under the new regime, registration, filing of returns as well as claim of refund would be online.

“We are putting together the tech backbone for GST. Our aim is to help businesses do their monthly compliance with our technology platform and software in a smooth way,” Gupta said.

At present, ClearTax helps individuals and stock market traders prepare and file their income-tax returns and also suggests ways to maximise tax deductions.

“We are also working on an intelligence and analytics model to support businesses to help them understand how GST will affect their day-to-day work. We will also roll out apps for Android and iOS users to help our customers,” Gupta said.

According to the GST rules for refund, every registered taxable individual will be required to furnish a monthly return in specified form (GSTR—3).

There is also a provision for electronic furnishing of annual returns by every registered taxable individual and composition supplier.

The rules further state that every taxable individual, whose aggregate turnover during a financial year exceeds Rs 1 crore, will be required to submit annually a duly certified audited statement.

Gupta further said ClearTax has over a million customers currently with about 20,000 businesses filing tax returns and claiming TDS refunds.

He said ClearTax employs chartered accountants who could provide expert advice to clients and help them maximise their benefits by claiming input tax credits in the GST regime, among others.

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