The GST Burden: How Compliance Affects Work-Life in Finance Roles

Abstract

The Cost of Compliance: In the Race to Meet GST Norms, Personal Time Pays the Price. While India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) promises streamlined taxation and economic efficiency, it silently imposes a heavy toll on the professionals tasked with its compliance. This exploratory study investigates the lesser-known cost of GST—its impact on the work-life balance of finance and accounting employees. Drawing from empirical data gathered from 80 professionals across sectors in Moradabad, the findings reveal a stark reality: prolonged work hours, disrupted family life, stress-induced health issues, and diminishing personal time are common consequences of intense GST-related workloads. Statistical analyses confirm strong negative correlations between GST compliance and work-life balance (r = -0.78) and personal time availability (r = -0.72), alongside a moderate positive correlation with stress levels (r = +0.65). The paper not only exposes a critical gap in employee well-being within compliance-heavy roles but also proposes actionable HR interventions such as flexible schedules, mental wellness programs, automation of filing processes, and customized work-life balance policies. As the tax regime evolves, so must our support for the silent workforce behind it—lest we compromise both their wellness and organizational productivity