The Goods & Services Network (GSTN) on Wednesday announced new features for better user experience in generating e-Way bills. GSTN is the IT backbone for the new indirect tax regime.

Giving details of the new features, a GSTN statement said there is a facility to display only relevant document types in ‘Document Type’ drop-down list, based on the selected transaction ‘Supply Type’ and ‘Sub Type’ by the taxpayers. This will help users make a correct entry of the supply being undertaken by them and report the same in the e-Way bill.

Standard rates for tax are now provided in the drop-down list, for selection based on the type of (intra-State/inter-State) transactions. Further, taxpayers can now select rate of tax from drop down to avoid any mistakes while generating e-Way bill. Facility of auto population of State name based on the PIN code entered at the consignor or consignee addresses has also been introduced. Another new feature now available on the e-Way bill portal is the alert sent to the generator of the bill through a pop-up and SMS message, in case the total invoice value entered by them is very high, to avoid making mistake. Further, additional fields for “CESS Non Advol Amount” & “Other Value” have been introduced to enter CESS Non Advol amount and any other charges (+/-) as applicable in invoice.

The new features are part of GSTN’s continuous efforts to improve user experience and make the bill generating process easy and convenient for the user. The new features have been developed and introduced in response to feedback from both users as well as tax authorities.

E-Way bill acts as a proof of tax paid and it is mandatory for the transportation of goods worth ₹50,000 or more between States (inter-State) and within a State (intra-State). If the rule is not complied with, GST laws provide for confiscation of the vehicle or imposition of a penalty (that is equal to the tax payable on the goods being transported) on the owner of the conveyance transporting the goods. Between April 1, when the system came into force, and September 30, a total of 25.32 crore e-Way bills have been generated comprising 12.14 crore for inter-State movement of goods and 13.12 crore for intra-State.

As many as 24.53 lakh taxpayers and 31,232 transporters have registered with the e-Way bill system so far.

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