Multiplexes Switching to sell only E-Tickets

NEW DELHI: In this 35th meeting, the GST council on Friday decided to introduce an e-ticketing system for all the multiplexes in the country, where it will be mandatory for multiplexes to issue electronic tickets.

It will be convenient for the customers, and it will ensure proper revenue for state and central government.

This move is set to help tax authorities contain the menace of tax evasion.

"E-invoicing is a rapidly expanding technology which would help taxpayers in backward integration and automation of tax relevant processes," the Finance Ministry said in a statement after the GST council meeting.

Few of the Largest multiplexes like PVR cinemas in the City have already implemented the E-ticketing system, tax consultants said that the move was more symbolic with many viewing it as a precursor to extending the mandate to single -screen theatres in the coming months.

With the GST council decision, the phase -1 is proposed to be voluntary and would be rolled -out from January 2020.

The decision to implement e-involving model means that technology will continue to play a critical role in tax administration.

"While the system could initially be implemented for the B2B segment only, but with e-ticketing for multi-screen cinema halls, a similar mechanism is also proposed for B2C Segment.

If this experiment turns out to be successful, one could see this mechanism getting extended to other B2C segments as well.

Another anti-evasion measure taken by the council is requiring registered multiplexes to issue a tax invoice.

Accordingly, the electronic ticket issued by them would be deemed a tax invoice.