Support Spotlight: Goods & Services Tax (GST) – India localization only

What is GST?

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a major Indirect Tax Reform currently in the process of being implemented. It is planned to be launched in India on July 1st, 2017. Information on the Model GST Law is available and further details can be found here.

What is SAP doing about GST?

As India gears up for next generation Indirect Tax Law, SAP is working on enhancing SAP Business One to cater for the GST legal requirements.

As a partner or a customer of SAP Business One using the India localization, you will need to use Version 9.2 PL07 or higher to avail of the GST functionality. 

How is SAP Business One data affected?

"Master Data will expand to include GST information in the following areas in SAP Business One Version 9.2 Patch Level 07:

• States
• Locations
• Business Partner Master Data
• Tax setup (for testing purposes)
• Item Master Data
• Warehouses
• Tax Code Determination
• GST TDS Setup (Withholding Tax)
• Document Numbering

The following functionality is planned to be released at a later stage in SAP Business One Version 9.2 Patch Level 08, to allow for and to include information about GST:

• Reverse Charges
• Down Payment (DPM) scenarios for Advance Payments
• GST TDS and GST TCS (Withholding Tax Setup, Outgoing Payment/Deposit handling)
• Freight
• Union Territories and Cess
• Tax Types update (removal of SINCess and addition of UTGST and Cess)
• Tax setup (for removal)
• Marketing document handling (Reverse Charge, A/R and A/P specific uses cases)
• Migration process"

(Check SAP Note 2194689 for the content above in italics to stay updated with GST in SAP Business One)

Please note: 

• Reporting via EFM (Electronic File Manager) is planned to be released at a later stage. 
• Reporting in SAP Business One is supported via GEP (General Electronic File format) files based on EFM. The GEP files will be soon delivered via SAP Note 2194689 and will allow you to prepare the GST returns in the formats GSTR1 and GSTR2. It is not possible to directly submit the reports from SAP Business One into the GST Portal. Licensed GSP (GST Service Provider) are only allowed to do so. As GSP is a mandatory part of the reporting process, it is recommended to contact your local GSP.

What are Your Next Steps?

1. Test: As for any functional change, SAP Business One Support strongly recommends that partners perform a test upgrade and testthe different GST scenario’s that impact their customers.
2. Join & Read: SAP Business One Partner’s can join the SAP Jam SAP Business One - GST Collaboration Group (for access instructions read SAP Note 2194689) and find out more about the functionality.

On this Jam Page, Partners can access documentation as well as provide feedback on the functionality and any scenarios already under discussion for GST. You will see the following: 

• Overview on Goods and Service Tax (GST) 
• Documentation 
• How to Guide for GST – SAP Business One
• Feedback on GST functionality 
• Enablement Session Recordings – GST Readiness

3. Stay Updated: With SAP Note 2194689, you are kept updated on the new GST functionality. This note will be updated on a regular basis. It is recommended you mark it as a Favorite under the Notes section of the SAP Business One Launchpad. 

In the attachment of SAP Note 2194689, you can find the GST – How to Guide

4: Share with Customers: Before going live with GST for India, it is recommended that Partners familiarize themselves with the GST functionality and share their knowledge with their customers. 

For more information on GST and queries regarding the solution, you can also get in touch with your Local Product Expert (LPE).

I hope this article helps you and your customers prepare for GST!

Source：https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/support-spotlight-goods-services-tax-gst-india-only-jitin-chawla/