Gandhinagar : Gujarat's sales tax department Thursday launched a website from where the business community can download a free software to calculate their value added tax (VAT) liability as the state geared up to introduce the new tax regime from April 1.

"Gujarat is the first state to develop a software for dealers to help them work out VAT. The software will also help the dealer from calculating the tax to preparing monthly statements and returns," said Finance Minister Saurabh Dalal while launching the website.

"To help traders feel at ease with the new tax, a small booklet of FAQ (frequently asked questions) about VAT is also being distributed," he added.

Developed by the Tata consultancy Services, the software would be available to traders after registering their taxation identity numbers.

The minister said that all necessary information would be available on the website and all relevant forms could be downloaded from it.

"Traders can also post their queries on the website and they will be answered quickly. The businessman now doesn't have to visit our offices.

"There will be a random sampling and other checks to ensure that traders don't manipulate facts and figures," said Dalal.

Efforts were on to provide for online payment of VAT, he added.

Days before the introduction of VAT, the government announced exemptions from the new tax for various items.

The minister said in the assembly earlier that an ad hoc 0.5 percent VAT would be charged on traders having a turnover of less than Rs.5 million.

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