As online sales continue to grow, the necessity for digital compliance solutions for e-commerce platforms is increasingly clear. On top of filing your annual taxes with the IRS, there are several other compliance requirements business owners must be aware of. Failure to maintain a compliant status can lead to significant fines or operational restrictions on your online platform. While legal compliance has historically been rather straightforward, the matter has certainly complicated with the introduction of digital solutions. However, strong digital compliance is essential to protect your business from regulatory pitfalls.

Publication: CXO today.com

Date: February 15, 2020

It is believed that m-commerce or mobile commerce will be the next disruption in e-commerce space. It comes as no surprise then that almost 51 per cent of online sales volume is via mobile devices in India, compared to 39 per cent global average. India seems to be running much ahead in the m-commerce disruption as globally only 43 per cent consumers prefer using mobile phones for shopping. Indian consumers spend an average of INR 10,000 per month via mobile devices and as much as 83% consumers make an online purchase via mobile phone at least once a week.

Publication: Entrepreneur India

Date: Feb 15, 2020

In light of the e-commerce tax announced by the government during the Union Budget 2020, India’s major e-commerce companies raised red flags on the plan to charge TDS at the point of transaction. A Reuters report said that Amazon and Flipkart along with other e-commerce platforms are demanding the scaling back of the proposed e-commerce tax deducted at source (TDS) on third-party sellers on their platforms. To begin with, the budget had proposed bringing participants of e-commerce (sellers) within the tax net. The budget proposed to insert a new section 194-O to provide a new levy of TDS at the rate of 1%.

Publication: Inc42

Date: February 16, 2020

Soon, Indian startups will be able to list directly in India and overseas markets, confirmed Atanu Chakraborty, secretary at the department of economic affairs (DAE) in the finance ministry. Speaking at an interactive session on ‘Budget and Beyond’ at NITI Aayog, Chakraborty reportedly said, “Lots of companies do want to list both in India and abroad at the same time. We welcome the suggestion that could make the process more seamless.” The move will provide Indian startups with additional avenues for fundraising. Sequoia Capital India MD had also recommended the govt to allow Indian startups to list abroad.

Publication: Inc42

Date: February 16, 2020

The courtroom battle between e-commerce giant Amazon and trade bodies, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh (DVM), is expected to have a bearing on the upcoming e-commerce policy, according to people familiar with the matter. The case may drag for a few years, experts say, as CAIT and DVM have said they will appeal against the interim relief granted to Amazon on Friday. The Karnataka High Court stayed the Competition Commission of India’s (CCI’s) investigation into the alleged anti-competitive practices on the part of the e-commerce giant.

Publication: Business Standard

Date: February 16, 2020