How to engage GST practitioner on portal

As per section 2(55) of the CGST Act, 2017, "goods and services tax practitioner" means any person who has been approved under section 48 to act as such practitioner. As per section 48, the GST practitioner should get approval from the GSTN and also, and he needs to fulfill his duties and obligations as may be prescribed.

Many functions can be performed by the GST practitioner on behalf of the taxpayer using his login such as application for registration, GST payments, creating returns, creating LUT application, creating refund application, etc.

How can a taxpayer engage a GST practitioner on the portal?

1. Go to www.gst.gov.in, and log in to the GST Portal with your user ID and password.
2. Click Services > User Services > Engage / Disengage GST Practitioner (GSTP) option.
3. Under the Search By section, select the Enrolment Number or GSTP ID enter the same, which is basically the GST Practitioner’s GSTIN, and click Search.
4. Alternatively, you can search for a GST Practitioner by using the Name and address criteria also if you have that information, and click Search. The fields to be filled, are:
   • GST Practitioner’s Name (Optional)
   • State (Mandatory)
   • District (Optional)
   • Pin Code (Optional)
   
5. Based on either of the above input criteria, details of all GST Practitioners with Valid and active GSTP IDs will be displayed on your screen.

   Note: You can Sort / Filter the listed GST Practitioners on the basis of Category and the Name of the GST Practitioner.

6. Select the desired GST Practitioner and click the ENGAGE button.

   Note: Only one GST Practitioner can be engaged at a time.

7. On clicking the ‘Engage’ button, the system will open the form of “Authorization/withdrawal of authorization for Goods and Services Tax Practitioner”.
8. Open the drop-down and select the name of the authorized signatory.
9. Make sure that the ‘Solemnly Authorize’ radio button is selected.
10. Enter the Place.
11. Click SUBMIT WITH DSC/ SUBMIT WITH EVC.

    Notes:

    • The list of activities shows all the checkboxes enabled by default and the system does not allow un-checking any of these five options.
    • As per the current functionality in the GST Portal, a Taxpayer will have to engage the GST Practitioner for all the listed five activities.
    • The GST Portal may allow unchecking of the activities in the future.

In case of SUBMIT WITH DSC

12. Once you click SUBMIT WITH DSC, the system will show a warning message; Click PROCEED.

13. Select the certificate and click the Sign button.

In case of SUBMIT WITH EVC.

12. Enter the OTP and click the VALIDATE OTP button.

Notes:

• An Email will be sent to the GST Practitioner once the Taxpayer engages him.
• A notification will appear on the GST Practitioner’s dashboard informing him about the Taxpayer’s request to engage him.

13. Once the GST Practitioner accepts the Taxpayer’s request, GSTP details will appear on the Taxpayer’s Profile page, under the Contacts section.

Notes:

1. If the GST Practitioner rejects the Taxpayer’s request, the GSTP details will not appear on the Taxpayer’s Profile page.
2. An email will be sent to both the Taxpayer as well as the GST Practitioner, informing about the decision taken by the GST Practitioner, i.e. whether the Taxpayer’s request was accepted or rejected.
3. In case the Taxpayer has already requested to engage a GST Practitioner and his request is still waiting for action, the Taxpayer will have to withdraw his request before he can send the engagement request to another GST Practitioner.
4. If the GST Practitioner (GSTP) has not accepted or rejected a Taxpayer’s request, the Taxpayer will be able to withdraw his request of engagement.

14. To revoke the engagement request, follow the below steps:

• Go to Services > User Services > Engage / Disengage GST Practitioner (GSTP).
• Click the REVOKE REQUEST button.
• The GST Portal will display a confirmation message and will send an email notification to the GST Practitioner, notifying about the withdrawal.

Conclusion :

Engaging a GST practitioner on the GST portal is a seamless process, enhancing the taxpayer's compliance efficiency. Through a few simple steps, taxpayers can authorize practitioners to perform various tasks on their behalf, ensuring smooth tax management. The portal facilitates communication between taxpayers and practitioners, streamlining engagement and enhancing collaboration for effective GST compliance.