Understanding GST Suvidha Providers and Their Approval Process in India

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) maintains a publicly accessible list of GST Suvidha Providers (GSPs) on its official website. A GSP functions as a licensed intermediary, offering specialized third-party applications that enable businesses to interact with the GST portal, thereby streamlining their GST compliance obligations. These software applications and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) often incorporate automated features and intuitive user interfaces, simplifying the adherence to GST regulations for taxpayers compared to managing these tasks independently.

Eligibility for Becoming a Licensed GSP

To qualify for a GSP license, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• Applicants must be companies operating within the IT, ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services), or BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sectors, and must be registered in India.
• Prospective GSPs are required to satisfy the pre-qualification conditions established for each batch of GSP allotments. These conditions were detailed for the 4th batch, 1st batch, and 2nd batch.
• GSPs that fulfill these pre-qualification requirements must then enter into a contractual agreement with the GSTN to attain authorized GSP status.
• A strict condition is imposed to prevent the misuse of data obtained or exchanged with the GST system. This data must not be utilized for directly or indirectly marketing or selling financial products to taxpayers, whether through subsidiary entities or parent companies. Consequently, an approved GSP must provide an affidavit, accepting legal accountability for any non-compliance with this stipulation.

The comprehensive contract outlines several key aspects:

1. Definitions, responsibilities, liabilities, and legal duties of the GSP.
2. A technical architectural framework illustrating the integration workflow between the GSP and the GST system.
3. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and relevant commercial terms and conditions.
4. Detailed roles and obligations of the GSP, including prohibited and mandatory actions.

GSP Approval Process

The GST Network officially certifies GSPs to assist taxpayers with various facets of GST compliance. Prior authorization from the GSTN is mandatory for a GSP to operate. While GSPs are not permitted to read or alter taxpayer data directly, they can leverage the GST Network's Application Programming Interface (API) to facilitate and enhance the return filing process for taxpayers, making it more efficient and dependable.

Upon authorization, a GSP receives an API that can be integrated into their systems to improve compliance mechanisms for taxpayers. GSPs can utilize these APIs to refine their operational processes, simplifying tax return submissions for their clients.

Once the contract is signed, GSPs are issued a unique license key to access the GST system. The GSTN utilizes a specific license key (comprising a User ID and Password) for authenticating GSPs. Furthermore, GSPs possess the flexibility to generate multiple sub-license keys tailored to their specific operational requirements.

Current List of GSTN-Approved GSPs

The GSTN has conducted multiple rounds of empanelment for GST Suvidha Providers in India. As of November 2019, three rounds were completed, with the 4th round extending till April 11, 2021.

Initially, 34 companies were granted GSP licenses in the first round, followed by 42 in the subsequent round, and 10 in the round held in November 2019. The consolidated list of 54 currently empanelled GSPs, as published on www.gstn.org, is presented below: