The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has discovered that nearly 25% of entities registered with the GSTN do not exist or have disappeared.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has discovered that nearly 25% of entities registered with the GSTN do not exist or have disappeared.
PremiumThe Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has launched a proactive campaign to eliminate fraudulent accounts registered with the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). The results of this concerted effort have revealed a staggering revelation – nearly 25% of the identified entities, who have wrongfully availed benefits totaling approximately ₹15,000 crore, either do not exist or have vanished into thin air, reported The Times of India (TOI).
The identification of the suspects was the result of a meticulous examination of the database, which encompasses a staggering 1.4 crore GST payers.
Employing cutting-edge artificial intelligence and data analytics, the authorities meticulously sifted through a database of around 69,000 suspects. In the ongoing two-month-long operation, the investigation has successfully unmasked 17,000 spurious accounts that have exploited fictitious input tax credit, as per the publication.
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Notably, the probe extends to various entities across the supply chain, including prominent players in the business domain. It has come to light that a leading food delivery service provider has availed services from non-existent entities. It is worth mentioning that previous similar initiatives have also exposed similar cases of malpractice.
Sources within the government have told TOI that Delhi, with its high success rate, stands out as the jurisdiction where a substantial number of fake registrations have been unearthed. LiveMint could not independently verify the claim.
Building on the recent crackdown, CBIC is now formulating plans for regular assessments to safeguard against the misuse of benefits. Additionally, the agency intends to strengthen regulatory measures by rolling back certain flexibilities that were introduced to ease tax payment burdens for suppliers amid the pandemic.
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Senior officials have affirmed to TOI that decisions regarding these issues have already been made by the GST Council, and implementation is underway. The overarching objective is to ensure the prevention of leakages and fortify the integrity of the system.
The matter is expected to be deliberated upon in the upcoming GST Council meeting, during which the details will be shared with state finance ministers. Officials, however, have dismissed the idea of imposing stricter registration norms, asserting that the focus is on streamlining the process for honest taxpayers, rather than burdening them with excessive compliance.