Kerala Becomes First State to Pilot ‘Faceless Adjudication’ System for GST from August 1

The State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) department in Kerala has launched a pilot for a ‘faceless adjudication’ system starting today. The move aims to enhance transparency and efficiency by eliminating physical interaction between taxpayers and tax authorities.

Under this new system, all tax-related proceedings—including the issuance of show-cause notices, submission of replies, hearings, and final orders—will be carried out entirely through digital platforms and electronic communication.

The pilot project is being rolled out in Pathanamthitta and Idukki districts. With this launch, Kerala becomes the first state in India to implement faceless adjudication for indirect taxes.

Announced by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal as part of the 2025 State Budget plans, the system is designed to ensure fair, transparent, and impartial tax administration. “The system is fact-based, unbiased, and will do away with the need for taxpayers to physically visit SGST offices,” said R. Sreelakshmi, Additional Commissioner, SGST.

Taxpayers will now present their side in response to show-cause notices through an online meeting platform where the adjudicating officer will also remain faceless. Supporting documents can be uploaded via the GST portal.

The Centre had earlier implemented a similar faceless mechanism for income tax matters. This marks the first instance of a state government extending such a model to the domain of indirect taxation.

Read More: Sensex Crashes as Trump Slaps 25% Tariff on India

Mariya Paliwala
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

CBIC Amends Rules to Facilitate Partial Relief Under Section 128A: Taxpayers Can File SPL Forms for Mixed Periods, Intimate Appellate Authorities to Forego Appeals for FY 2017-18 to 2019-20

The Central board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) amended rules to…

No GST On Delivery Charges For Zomato’s Gold Card Members, Clarifies CBIC

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes And Customs (CBIC) has clarified that…

Wrongful Arrest To Unconditional Apology:  Mishal J. Shah Case A Lesson For GST Officers

Wrongful arrests by Goods and Services Tax (GST) officers have increasingly come…

54th GST Council Meet: Decisions Related To GST Applicability On Major Services

The 54th GST Council met under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister for…