Faceless GST system announced for central taxpayers

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a faceless system for 2 lakh central GST payers operating in multiple states, aiming to streamline tax administration and improve taxpayer experience. The initiative follows rate rationalisation that cut the effective GST rate from 11.8% to 10.8%, with 99% of procedural issues resolved. A working group report proposes a centralized administration with a unified window for scrutiny, audit, and appeals, set for public consultation and implementation next fiscal year. Sitharaman clarified this is a government initiative, not from the GST Council. Of 69.5 lakh CGST taxpayers, 90% with turnover below Rs 1.5 crore are under state control, while the rest are split equally between central and state authorities.