GST officials should rely on technology and not place extra burden on taxpayers: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials should rely on their own technology and systems rather than placing the onus of providing paperwork on the taxpayers, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told tax officials on Friday (October 24, 2025).

Speaking at the inauguration of the new CGST Bhawan in Ghaziabad, Ms. Sitharaman told the gathered tax officials that their work did not end with the implementation of the reduced GST rates. 

“The GST Council has approved to make the GST registration process a lot more simpler, easier, seamless, and also more transparent,” she said. “So technology and risk-based parameters must do the heavy lifting and not the taxpayers. We do not want anybody from the field formation adding one little more burden on the taxpayers or onus on the taxpayer.” 

She told the tax officials to use technology to assess the situation and only approach the taxpayers if absolutely necessary. 

“But no shifting of onus to him, saying ‘give me more papers, give me this, give me that’,” she cautioned them. “Be clear, you should be smart. You should use technology.” 

The Finance Minister also said that from November 1, a new system for GST registration would come into force. Under it, ‘automatic’ registration would take place for two kinds of applicants: those whom the system identifies based on data analysis, and those who self-assess that their output taxability will not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh rupees per month.

Here, too, she instructed the tax officials to ease the process for the taxpayers.  

“So for these two categories, simplified GST registration will happen, and that will give them registration completed within three working days,” Ms. Sitharaman said. “This single reform is expected to benefit 96% of new applicants. The task of the field formation is to operationalise it and ensure that there are no frictions in the process.” 

The Finance Minister also asked the senior officials gathered at the inauguration to ensure that the GST Seva Kendras across the country are well staffed. 

“I would particularly draw the attention of the board (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) for that purpose,” she said. “Make it accessible and make it properly maintained so that taxpayers receive timely and quality assistance.”