In a recent development , Gujarat govt has decided to impose taxes on ecommerce companies for the goods entering to the state. Though the tax slab and the amount hasn't been decided.
This came as an amendment of the current bill passed in the Gujarat state assembly. The bill amended the present Act of 2001 that did not cover ecommerce transactions. As per the government the previous bill affected the local traders as the goods on ecommerce websites were sold at a much cheaper price as no taxes were levied on these goods.
While presenting the bill , state Finance Minister Saurabh Patel said, "Due to the recent development in the field of online purchase, web-based software applications or through tele-shopping platforms, which does not attract any tax under the present Act, local businesses were adversely affected. "
| As per the bill, the word importer as specified in the present Act, now also covers those who bring or facilitate to bring any specified goods for consumption, use or sale in Gujarat from any part of the country using online platforms. Further, such importer is now liable to collect the tax from the person (consumer) for whom the goods are brought and pay it to the government in a prescribed manner, as per the bill. | |