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GST Returns Scrutiny Manual

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Haryana GST Returns Scrutiny Manual standardize and streamline the procedural aspect with regards to the scrutiny of GST returns as per section 61 of the HGST Act, 2017. GST Returns Scrutiny Manual also envisages the subsequent actions as per section 73/74 of the HGST Act, 2017 if needed to be undertaken, for demand and recovery. GST Returns Scrutiny Manual provides for procedure and guidelines in respect of issuance of notice, communication of discrepancies to taxpayers, verification of records and explanation submitted, if any, the manner of reporting the action taken, maintenance of record and overall conduct of scrutiny function by the officers of the Excise and Taxation Department, Haryana.

Haryana GST Returns Scrutiny Manual standardize and streamline the procedural aspect with regards to the scrutiny of GST returns as per section 61 of the HGST Act, 2017. GST Returns Scrutiny Manual also envisages the subsequent actions as per section 73/74 of the HGST Act, 2017 if needed to be undertaken, for demand and recovery. GST Returns Scrutiny Manual provides for procedure and guidelines in respect of issuance of notice, communication of discrepancies to taxpayers, verification of records and explanation submitted, if any, the manner of reporting the action taken, maintenance of record and overall conduct of scrutiny function by the officers of the Excise and Taxation Department, Haryana.

Haryana GST Returns Scrutiny Manual

Excise and Taxation Department,
Government of Haryana

Disclaimer: This manual is only for information purposes and is to be used by officers / officials of the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department only.

Sr.
No.		Contents
1.List of Abbreviations
2.GST Returns Scrutiny Manual
3.Scrutiny of Returns at a Glance (Flow Chart)
4.Annexure – 1 (Indicative List of Parameters for Scrutiny)
5.Annexure – 2 FAQ"s (Scrutiny of Returns)
6.FORM GST ASMT-10
7.FORM GST ASMT-11
8.FORM GST ASMT-12
9.FORM GST DRC-01A
10.FORM GST DRC-01
11.FORM GST DRC-02
12.FORM GST DRC-03
13.FORM GST DRC-04
14.FORM GST DRC-05
15.FORM GST DRC-06
16.FORM GST DRC-07

gst scr

List of abbreviations

DSCDigital Signature Certificate
GSTNGoods and Service Tax Network
HGSTHaryana Goods and Service Tax, 2017
HOHead Office
POProper Officer
RTPRegistered Tax Payer
TRUTax Research Unit
SCNShow Cause Notice
SDRScrutiny Desk Review
RCMReverse Charge Mechanism
DRCDemand & Recovery Form

1. Objective

1.1 The objective of this Manual is to standardize and streamline the procedural aspect with regards to the scrutiny of returns as per section 61 of the HGST Act, 2017. The Manual also envisages the subsequent actions as per section 73/74 of the HGST Act, 2017 if needed to be undertaken, for demand and recovery.

1.2 This Manual provides for procedure and guidelines in respect of issuance of notice, communication of discrepancies to taxpayers, verification of records and explanation submitted, if any, the manner of reporting the action taken, maintenance of record and overall conduct of scrutiny function by the officers of the Excise and Taxation Department, Haryana.

1.3 The core objective of this Manual is to enhance the efficiency of returns scrutiny function and to make the entire process transparent and uniform across the field formations of Excise and Taxation Department, Haryana. However, this manual is only for training and information purposes and is to be used by officers / officials of the Haryana Excise and Taxation Department only.

1.4 The manual is not a legal document conferring any rights and nor a source of legal interpretation. This manual will be regularly updated based on feedbacks, amendments of Acts, Rules and processes as well as experience of audit under GST.

2. Jurisdiction: Only those taxpayers who are under the State jurisdiction are to be taken up for scrutiny. However, if any case of high evasion or fraud is observed then such cases may be taken up separately for investigation.

3. Frequency of Scrutiny: Scrutiny is to be taken up independently for every year. However, in case while scrutinizing a case for a particular year it is found that the taxpayer had a mismatch in the previous year also and the same was not taken in scrutiny in that year the same shall be taken up for scrutiny with the current year scrutiny also.

4. Targets and taxpayers to be scrutinized: Administrative instructions will be issued separately along with list of taxpayers to be scrutinized by the Head Office. These will consist of targets for units to be scrutinized based on (a) taxpayers selected at HO level and (b) taxpayers to be taken up suo-moto for scrutiny. However, it is pertinent to note that no taxpayers shall be selected for both audit and scrutiny.

5. Proper Officer for scrutiny of returns: As per Circular No. 2832/GST-II dated 8.12.2017 the Dy. Commissioner of State Tax, Excise and Taxation Officer of State Tax and the Assistant Excise & Taxation Officer of State Tax are Proper Officers for scrutiny sections including Section 61, 62 and 63. However, the Excise and Taxation Officers of State Tax shall be primarily responsible for taking up scrutiny cases. The reporting mechanism for scrutiny cases is as per Annexure-1.

6. Relevant statutory provisions

6.1 Section 61 of the HGST Act, 2017 read with Rule 99 of the HGST Rules, 2017 provides for scrutiny of returns. The same are reproduced below for reference:

Section 61. Scrutiny of returns:

"(1) The Proper Officer may scrutinize the return and related particulars furnished by the registered person to verify the correctness of the return and inform him of the discrepancies noticed, if any, in such manner as may be prescribed and seek his explanation thereto.

(2) In case the explanation is found acceptable, the registered person shall be informed accordingly, and no further action shall be taken in this regard.

(3) In case no satisfactory explanation is furnished within a period of thirty days of being informed by the Proper Officer or such further period as may be permitted by him or where the registered person, after accepting the discrepancies, fails to take the corrective measure in his return for the month in which the discrepancy is accepted, the Proper Officer may initiate appropriate action including those under section 65 or section 66 or proceed to determine the tax and other dues under section 73 or section 74."

Rule 99. Scrutiny of returns:

"(1) Where any return furnished by a registered person is selected for scrutiny, the Proper Officer shall scrutinize the same in accordance with the provisions of section 61 with reference to the information available with him, and in case of any discrepancy, he shall issue a notice to the said person in FORM GST ASMT-10, informing him of such discrepancy and seeking his explanation thereto within such time, not exceeding thirty days from the date of service of the notice or such further period as may be permitted by him and also, where possible, quantifying the amount of tax, interest and any other amount payable in relation to such discrepancy.

(2) The registered person may accept the discrepancy mentioned in the notice issued under sub rule (1), and pay the tax, interest and any other amount arising from such discrepancy and inform the same or furnish an explanation for the discrepancy in FORM GST ASMT-11 to the Proper Officer.

(3) Where the explanation furnished by the registered person or the information submitted under sub-rule (2) is found to be acceptable, the Proper Officer shall inform him accordingly in FORM GST ASMT-12."

6.2 The aforementioned provisions suggest that scrutiny of returns, inter-alia, entails the following:

(a) Selection of returns furnished by a registered person for scrutiny, preferably based on robust risk parameters.

(b) Scrutiny of the returns and related particulars furnished by the registered person to verify the correctness of the return. Information available with the Proper Officer in various returns and statements furnished by the registered person and the data/details made available through various sources like GSTN, E-Way Bill Portal, etc. may be relied upon for this purpose.

(c) Informing the registered person of the discrepancies noticed, if any, along with quantification of the amount of tax, interest and any other amount payable in relation to such discrepancy and seeking his explanation thereto.

(d) Where the registered person accepts the discrepancy and pays the tax, interest and any other amount arising from such discrepancy or where the explanation furnished by the registered person is found acceptable, conclude the proceedings after informing the registered person.

(e) Where no satisfactory explanation is furnished by the registered person or where the registered person, after accepting the discrepancy, fails to pay the tax, interest and any other amount arising from such discrepancy, initiate appropriate action including those under section 65 or section 66 or section 67, or determination of tax and other dues under section 73 or section 74 of the HGST Act, 2017.

7. Generation of cases for scrutiny

7.1 Selection of cases by TRU: The list of cases to be scrutinized shall be generated by the Head Office based on certain (confidential) scrutiny risk parameters. These parameters shall be both risk-based and theme-based parameters.

7.2 These lists (year wise) shall be sent to the respective districts for initiating scrutiny.

7.3 Many times, the data which has been generated by TRU may be dated, therefore before initiating assessment proceedings the data may be checked from the BO Web System also.

7.4 It is appreciated that this is the first-time specific risk-based lists are being sent to field formations for scrutiny exercise. However, the Tax Research Unit in the Head Office has been sending regular data, mis-match reports, BIFA analysis, fake/ bogus taxpayers to the field formations which are also in the nature of scrutiny and the field formations have been issuing ASMT forms in these cases also. It is instructed that these cases should also be brought to a logical end.

7.5 It may be noted that irrespective of the risk-based lists which are generated by the Head Office, the Proper Officer is empowered to take up Suo-moto cases for scrutiny independently also. However, for all such cases prior approval of the Dy. Commissioner of State Tax shall be taken. Further, the Dy. Commissioner of State Tax may reject any such request for reasons to be recorded in writing.

8. Preliminary action by Proper Officers

8.1 The Dy. Commissioner of State Tax on receipt of the cases selected for scrutiny as aforesaid shall immediately send these cases to the concerned Proper Officer to whom such case or cases are assigned.

8.2 Single Source of Truth: – As explained above, the parameters communicated by TRU are generated using data available on a specific date. As the data available at GSTN or for that matter with BO Web System is dynamic, it is quite possible that due to fresh compliance for corrections/alterations by taxpayer or by the supplier/recipient of that taxpayer, the data on BO Web system may vary with the communications made by TRU. Under such circumstances, variation in figures on BO system and communicated by TRU vis-à-vis parameter-based discrepancies, the Proper Officer shall consider the data as per the BO system.

8.3 The Proper Officer shall first conduct a Scrutiny Desk Review (SDR) as per parameters provided in "Annexure-1' for every taxpayer selected for scrutiny. All Proper Officers shall view 360 Degree Profile of taxpayer, selected for scrutiny, available on the officer"s login on Haryana tax portal i.e., haryanatax.gov.in. Proper Officers can fetch this profile after login in Haryana tax portal-)MIS-)Dashboard-)GST Dashboard-)Taxpayer 360.

8.4 Further, on examination of the data on BO Web system and that is communicated by the TRU pointing out certain discrepancies, it may happen that the Proper Officer finds certain additional issues or discrepancies which may result into additional tax demand or denial of input tax credit, in that scenario the Proper Officer shall include the said issue and initiate the return scrutiny.

9. Issuance of Notice U/s 61(1) of the HGST Act, 2017

9.1 After detailed Scrutiny Desk Review and review of the data vis-à-vis discrepancies parameters communicated by TRU, Proper Officer shall, on confirmation, issue a notice in FORM-GST-ASMT-10 as per the provisions of section 61(1) of HGST Act read with the rule 99(1) of the HGST Rules. The Proper Officer shall clearly state in the notice in FORM-GST-ASMT-10, the parameter-based discrepancies noticed during the scrutiny of the return.

9.2 Due to dynamic nature of data, at the time of scrutiny if it appears to the Proper Officer that discrepancies vis-à-vis certain parameters have already been complied either fully or partly, then the proper office shall issue FORM-GST-ASMT-10 for the remaining discrepancies only. Further, it is imperative that the Proper Officer, shall in notice so issued, specify type of return scrutinized, period covered, legal position and the exact parameters based on which return scrutiny notice has been initiated.

9.3 Generally, it is observed that many officers issue single line notices without clearly outlining the gap / discrepancy that they are trying to address. This leads to confusion and harassment to the taxpayers who is in receipt of a notice, as he cannot fathom the reasons of such notice. Therefore, all officers, shall issue clear and speaking notices wherein parameters as mentioned above should be clearly mentioned. Officers shall strive to issue high quality notices.

9.4 In other words, it is desirable that the Proper Officer shall issue notice in FORM-GST-ASMT-10 only in respect of issues that exists at the time of scrutiny and issuance of said Notice.

10. Response of the taxpayer and action to be initiated (by Proper Officer):

10.1 For better and effective understanding the Section 61(3) of the HGST Act, 2017 is re-produced below:

"In case no satisfactory explanation is furnished within a period of thirty days of being informed by the Proper Officer or such further period as may be permitted by him or where the registered person, after accepting the discrepancies, fails to take the corrective measure in his return for the month in which the discrepancy is accepted, the Proper Officer may initiate appropriate action including those under section 65 or section 66 or section 67, or proceed to determine the tax and other dues under section 73 or section 74."

10.2 As aforesaid sub-section envisages that the taxpayer shall furnish the compliance/ reply within the 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice and therefore, in case no reply/explanation is received within 30 days" time period or such extended time period (provided that sufficient and genuine reasons are furnished which deserves extension) then the Proper Officer shall take the appropriate action for demand and recovery.

10.3 If within 30 days from service of notice in FORM GST ASMT-10 or in such further extended period, the taxpayer submits reply by way of FORM GST ASMT-11 and proves to satisfaction of Proper Officer with help of relevant record and documents (including proof of payment of tax, if made, through FORM GST DRC-03) that discrepancies communicated now no more exist, then the proceedings so initiated need to be closed, by accepting reply, by way of FORM-GST-ASMT-12. As already explained above, tax officers shall ensure that a reasoned speaking order shall be issued by the officers while filing FORM GST ASMT 12.

10.4 In all cases, tax officers shall ensure that all relevant record shall be uploaded on the system primarily by the taxpayer while filing FORM GST ASMT-11. However, if anything is missed, then the Proper Officer shall make it part of FORM GST ASMT-12. Ideally, no offline record should exist for any scrutiny related procedure.

10.5 In case the explanation furnished is not found to be satisfactory or taxpayer fails to take corrective measures like fails to pay unpaid tax or fails to pay wrongly availed input tax credit, then Proper Officer shall initiate proceedings under section 73/74 of the HGST Act, 2017 to determine tax and other dues.

10.6 The scenarios discussed above may be presented in the Tabular form as give below:

Table-1

Sr. No.ScenarioExpected Action
1.Taxpayer has not responded to Notice in FORM-GST-ASMT-10 by filing
FORM ASMT-11		With the use of BO System recommend the said case for
adjudication and accordingly, initiate the proceedings under section 73 or 74 of HGST Act and thereafter recovery.
2.Taxpayer has submitted reasonable reply in FROM-GST-ASMT-11 and has contested the issues raised and therefore has not made any payment of tax and interest. The Proper Officer is satisfied with the reply.Issue FORM GSTASMT-12 and drop the proceedings with the use of BO System.
3.Taxpayer has responded to FORM GST ASMT-10 and accepted the issues raised therein and has also made
payment through FORM GST DRC- 03, as indicated in the Notice.
Accordingly, the taxpayer has submitted the reply in FORM GST-ASMT-11.		Verify the correctness of payment made in FORM GST DRC-03 and then issue FORM GSTASMT-12 also conclude the said proceedings through BO Web System.
4.Taxpayer has responded to FORM GST ASMT-10 by making payment of the requisite amount through FORM GST DRC-03 but does not file FORM GST ASMT-11.Verify the correctness of payment made in FORM GST DRC-03 and ask the concerned taxpayer to compulsorily file FORM GST ASMT-11 and on filing issue the FORM-GST-ASMT-12. Also, conclude the said proceedings through BO Web System.
5.Taxpayer has responded to FORM GST ASMT-10 by way of submitting some explanation physically and the Proper Officer finds the same in order and is satisfied with the submission made but does not file FORM GST ASMT-11.Verify the correctness of the submission made and ask the
concerned taxpayer to compulsorily file FORM GST ASMT-11 and on submission of reply issue the FORM GST-ASMT-12. Also, drop the said proceeding with the use of BO Web System.
6.Taxpayer responds to FORM GST ASMT-10 by way of making payment in FORM GST DRC-03 or filling some explanation physically. However, on verification Proper Officer findssuch submission deficient and un- satisfactory.With the use of BO System recommend the said case for
adjudication and accordingly, initiate the proceedings under section 73 or 74 of HGST Act and thereafter recover

10.7 As an independent quasi-judicial authority, the onus of deciding if a particular case is to be covered in Section 73 or Section 74 is on the Proper Officer who shall decide this based on the facts of the case and the legal position. It may be noted that, generally in scrutiny cases, Section 73 shall be invoked, however, in cases, where evasion involves an element of fraud, willful misstatement or suppression of facts Section 74 of HGST Act, 2017 would be applicable.

11. Proceedings for initiation of Demand and Recovery as per section 73 or 74 of the HGST Act, 2017

11.1 Where it appears to the Proper Officers that proceedings under Section 73 or 74 of the HGST, Act 2017 are to be initiated the following procedure shall be followed:

1) Proper Officer shall issue intimation in Part A of FORM-GST-DRC-01A to the Registered Taxpayer (RTP). While issuing intimation, sufficient time of 7-15 days may be given for submission of reply by the RTP from the date of service of the said intimation. The intimation in Part A of FORM GST-DRC-01A shall contain details of issues noticed while scrutinizing returns issue of ASMT forms before and the reasons for which the FORM GST DRC-01A is being issued. It shall be kept in mind that the Part A of FORM-GST-DRC-01A shall clearly mention the issues involved and the amount of probable tax and interest (up to the date of issuance of said Notice).

2) Every effort shall be made to state with due care, clarity and correctness, the issues that have been noticed during the scrutiny of return, in the intimation in Part A of FORM GST-DRC-01A, and same is properly served to the registered taxpayer.

It may be noted that FORM GST DRC-01A is not a mandatory step as per HGST Rules, 2017. However, it is recommended that suitable opportunity shall be given to the taxpayers through issuance of FORM GST DRC-01A. However, Proper Officers may, in select cases, depending on the facts and circumstances of the case skip issuance of FORM GST DRC-01A.

3) If the RTP files reply in Part B of FORM GST DRC-01A and the Proper Officer is satisfied that tax is not payable or tax has been paid as indicated in the notice with applicable interest, then proceedings initiated may be closed after verification of payments made in FORM-GST-DRC-03.

4) The Proper Officer shall issue an acknowledgement in FORM GST DRC-04, accepting the payment made by the said person.

In case of partial acceptance of payments, it is advised that a disclaimer may be issued that such FORM GST DRC-04 has been issued, without prejudice, to any other demand, relating to any other tax, interest or penalty or any other discrepancy observed during audit, investigation or scrutiny.

5) In case RTP doesn't accept the issues mentioned therein or fails to pay taxes and applicable interest thereon, then, the adjudication proceedings shall be set in motion immediately with the issuance of Notice in FORM-GST-DRC-01. However, the Proper Officer shall consider and take cognizance of the submission made by the taxpayer in support of not accepting the issues so raised.

Further, at the time of issuing of Show Cause Notice, Proper officer shall mandatorily propose penalty u/s 73/74 of HGST Act, 2017.

It is needless to state that the outcome of the adjudication stands upon the careful and well-articulated drafting of the show-cause notice in FORM-GST-DRC-01. It shall be the endeavor of the Proper Officer that on being challenged, the Show Cause notice issued through FORM GST DRC-01 stands and augur to the test of law at any appellate forum.

The notices shall contain the detailed description of issue/discrepancy and be clearly understandable to taxpayer. It should be kept in mind that the final adjudication order cannot go beyond the issues raised in the show cause notice especially the amount of tax and other levies mentioned in FORM GST DRC-01. Hence, due care shall be taken in calculation of amount of tax and interest on account of the issues framed for adjudication.

6) As mentioned above, in case RTP fails to pay voluntarily the amount of tax and interest demanded, then the Proper Officer shall issue notice in FORM GST–DRC-01, with the use of BO system, specifying there in the details of partially complied/ non-complied transactions/ issues resulting out of proceedings and probable amount payable giving 30 days' time from receipt of notice. Further, the Proper Officer in the show cause notice itself shall clearly lay down the rights of the taxpayer for waiver of penalty as per Section 73 or 74 of the HGST Act, 2017. Summary of such waiver of penalty is provided in the table below:

Table-2

Section/ Adjudication StepBefore issuance of Show CauseWithin 30 days of issuance of SCNWithin 30 days of passing of OrderMandatory Penalty
73NilNil10% or 10,000/- whichever is higher10% or 10,000/-whichever is higher (in all cases where any amount of self-assessed tax or any amount collected as tax has not been paid within a period of thirty days from the due date of payment of such tax.)
7415%25%50%–

7) If RTP chargeable with tax under sub-section (1) or sub-section (3) of Section 73 of HGST Act ,2017 pays the said tax along with interest payable under section 50 within thirty days of issuance of show cause notice, no penalty shall be payable and all proceedings in respect of the said notice shall be deemed to be concluded. Further, if any RTP chargeable with tax under sub-section (1) of Section 74 of HGST Act 2017, pays the said tax along with interest payable under section 50 and a penalty equivalent to twenty-five per cent of such tax within thirty days of issue of the show cause notice, all proceedings in respect of the said notice shall be deemed to be concluded. In both these cases, on submission of proof of payment in FORM GST DRC-03, the Proper Officer, if satisfied with the payment of tax and interest made/ paid voluntarily, shall conclude the proceedings by issuing FORM GST DRC-05.

It is to be noted that interest and penalty shall mandatorily be paid in cash only.

8) However, in some cases it may happen that RTP make the payment of tax and interest after 30 days from receipt of FORM GST DRC-01 and submit the proof of payment in FORM GST DRC-03, but fail to pay applicable penalty, then the Proper Officer has to pass order of adjudication imposing penalty as per Section 73(9) of the HGST Act @ 10% of tax or Rs. 10,000/- whichever is higher within three years from the due date for furnishing of annual return for the financial year the return under scrutiny pertains.

9) In case RTP submits representation in FORM GST DRC-06 directly in response to FORM GST DRC-01 issued for either full amount or remaining amount with evidence, documents, etc. then Proper Officer shall verify documents so submitted vis-à-vis issues raised in Notice and proceed to determine whether submissions made by RTP is proper and acceptable. If Proper Officer is satisfied that no additional tax can be determined, then Proper Officer will close the proceedings by way of issuing FORM GST DRC-05.

Principally, in all cases where voluntary payment has been made or where reply is to the satisfaction of the proper officer and

√ the proper officer has not issued FORM GST DRC-01, then such proceedings are to be concluded through FORM GST DRC-04

or

√ the proper officer has issued FORM GST DRC-01 then such proceedings are to be concluded through FORM GST DRC-05.

10) In case submissions of the RTP are found to be unacceptable, or the RTP fails to make any submissions or fails to attend the personal hearing before the Proper Officer, then the Proper Officer will proceed to adjudicate the SCN and pass a speaking order in FORM GST DRC-07.

11) The order in FORM GST DRC-07 should be issued with due care as it results into creation of liability entry in the liability register of the concerned RTP. Also, the liability raised in FORM GST DRC-07 shall be on the same issues as communicated through FORM GST DRC-01. In case any issue remains to be covered, the separate FORM GST DRC-01A and FORM GST DRC-01 shall be issued qua that issue/discrepancy and separate demand proceedings shall be initiated qua such notice.

12) Section 75 of the HGST Act, 2017 specify the general provision relating to the determination of tax:

Table -3

TimelineThe Proper Officer shall, if sufficient cause is shown by the person chargeable with tax, grant time to the said person and adjourn the hearing for reasons to be recorded in writing:

Provided that no such adjournment shall be granted for more than three times to a person during the proceedings

An opportunity of hearing shall be granted where a request is received in writing from the person chargeable with tax or penalty, or where any adverse decision is
contemplated against such person.		The Proper Officer, in his order, shall set
out the relevant facts and the basis of his decision.
The amount of tax, interest and penalty
demanded in the order shall not be in excess of the amount specified in the notice and no demand shall be confirmed on the grounds other than the grounds specified in the notice.		The adjudication

proceedings shall be
deemed to be concluded, if

the order is not issued

within three years as
provided for in sub-section (10) of section 73 or within five years as provided for in sub-section (10) of section 74.

Timeline and Proceedings in Appeal casesWhere the service of notice or issuance of order is stayed by an order of a court or Appellate Tribunal, the period of such stay shall be excluded in computing the period specified in sub-sections (2) and (10) of section 73 or sub-sections (2) and (10) of section 74, as the case may be.An issue on which the Appellate Authority or the Appellate Tribunal or the High Court has given its decision which is prejudicial to the interest of revenue in some other proceedings and an appeal against such decision is pending, the period spent between the date of the decision of the Appellate Authority/the Appellate Tribunal/ the High Court / the Supreme Court shall be excluded in computing the period referred to in sub- section (10) of section 73 or sub-section (10) of section 74 where proceedings are initiated by way of issue of a show cause notice under the said sections.Where any Appellate Authority or Appellate Tribunal or court concludes that the notice issued under sub-section (1) of section 74 is not sustainable for the reason that the charges of fraud or any wilful- misstatement or suppression of facts to evade tax has not been
established against the
person to whom the notice was issued, the Proper Officer shall
determine the tax payable by such person, deeming
as if the notice were issued
under sub-section (1) of section 73.
Effect of
Appeal on
Tax		Where the Appellate Authority or Appellate Tribunal or court modifies the amount of tax determined by the Proper Officer, the amount of interest and penalty shall stand modified accordingly, taking into account the amount of tax so modified.
Recovery of TaxNotwithstanding anything contained in section 73 or section 74, where any amount of self-assessed tax in accordance with a return furnished under section 39 remains unpaid, either wholly or partly, or any amount of interest payable on such tax remains unpaid, the same shall be recovered under the provisions of section 79.
No penalty
can be
imposed
under any
other
section.		Where any penalty is imposed under section 73 or section 74, no penalty for the same act or omission shall be imposed on the same person under any other provision of this Act.

13) While issuing FORM GST DRC-01 or FORM GST DRC-07 on the BO system, the Proper Officer shall keep in mind that the FORM GST DRC-01 or FORM GST DRC-07 is not a notice or an order in itself, it"s a summary of such notice or order. A speaking notice or a speaking order is to be prepared and issued by the Proper Officer offline. Hence, all the Proper Officers are directed to prepare a notice or order with all the detailing and justification along with the reasoning for the short levy of tax, interest and penalty therein in offline mode and then either convert the word file in to PDF or scan the physical copy of such document so prepared and attach the PDF to the FORM GST DRC-01 or FORM GST DRC-07.

14) After issuance of FORM GST DRC-07, the proper officer may receive an application for rectification or he may suo-moto rectify the mistake apparent from record and , to undertake rectification the proper officer should use FORM GST DRC-08.

15) The scrutiny cases where adjudication as per section 73/74 of the HGST Act has been recommended should be treated as closed on issuance of order in FORM GST DRC-07. However, in any case the recovery proceedings and its further processes will be the responsibility of jurisdictional Proper Officer of the ward.

12. Online process of Scrutiny on the BO Web System: –

12.1 It is important to note that the entire process of return scrutiny is online. The entire process from issuance of FORM GST ASMT-10 to FORM GST DRC-07 is available on BO Web system. Under no circumstances shall any scrutiny case be taken offline.

12.2 At times, RTP may submit few documents /records physically and officer has to conduct the proceedings, which are also essential for internal review of the decisions taken by officer. All such documents such as all physical submissions made shall be uploaded by Proper Officer under references tab available on BO system.

13. Timelines

13.1 The last date for issue of various compliances under Section 73 and Section 74 of HGST Act, 2017 for initiating action of short payment of taxes is linked with the due date for furnishing of Annual Return for the Financial Year to which the tax not paid or short paid or input tax credit wrongly availed or utilized or erroneously refunded. Therefore, the due dates notified for filing the annual return beyond the prescribed dates assumes great importance for initiating action under Section 73 under normal situations and Section 74 in situations where tax has not been paid or short paid or ITC has been wrongly availed or utilized or erroneous refund has been granted by reason of fraud, or willful misstatement or suppression of facts. The various relevant dates have been tabulated hereunder only for convenience of reference to everyone.

Table-4

Sr. No.Particulars2017-182018-192019-202020-212021-22
1Prescribed Date31.12.201831.12.201931.12.202031.12.202131.12.2022
2Extended Date05.02.202031.12.202031.03.202128.02.2022–
3Notification No: Giving   effect              to
Extension of Due Dates		06/2020-CT dt:03-02- 202080/2020-CT dt:28-10- 202004/2021-CT dt:28-02- 202140/2021-CT dt:29-12-2021–
4Last date to issue Notice under Section 73(2)  (33 Months)05.11.202230.09.202331.12.202328.11.202430.09.2025
5Last date to issue Order under
Section 73(10) (36 Months)		05.02.202331.12.202331.03.202428.02.202531.12.2025
6Last date to issue Notice under Section  74(2)  (54 Months)05.08.202430.06.202530.09.202528.08.202630.06.2027
7Last date to issue Order under
Section 74(10) (60 Months)		05.02.202531.12.202531.03.202628.02.202731.12.2027

14. Monitoring mechanism

14.1 The MIS reports of all stages of scrutiny and subsequent proceeding of demand & recovery are available on BO Web system. The presently available MIS reports are according to status of notices and action by Proper Officer.

14.2 The scrutiny and subsequent proceedings of demand & recovery can be effectively supervised and monitored by use of following MIS reports of BO system.

Table-5

Report IDDescription of ReportExpected InformationMonitoring and
review procedure
MIS ASMT 3.1Count of cases scrutinized, and action taken thereonInformation of disposal of scrutiny cases by way of payment,
closure by acceptance of submission or recommendation of demand & recovery.		To be put up monthly to Dy. Commissioner of State Tax and quarterly to Jt. Commissioner of
State Tax (Range)
MIS ASMT 3.2Count of cases scrutinized but pending for taking action, as on date.Information of cases pending for disposal as on date of report.
MIS ASMT 3.3Count of cases scrutinized but pending for taking action,
month end.		Information of cases pending for disposal at the month end.To be put up monthly to Dy. Commissioner of State Tax and quarterly to Jt. Commissioner of
State Tax (Range)
MIS ASMT 1.1Count of applications filed in FORM GST DRC-03 and
processing thereof.		Information of FORM GST DRC-03 on which officer acted upon as on date of report and amount
involved therein.
MIS ASMT 1.2Count of pendency of applications filed in
FORM GST DRC-03, as on date		Information of FORM GST DRC-03 pending for action by officer as on date of report.
MIS ASMT 1.3Count of pendency of applications filed in
FORM GST DRC-03, month end.		Information of FORM GST DRC-03 pending for action by officer at the end of month.
MIS ASMT 2.1Count of SCNs issued, cases assessed, dropped/ withdrawn and demand paid.Comprehensive report of FORM GST DRC-01 issued containing amount involved in notices, demand created out of it, amount of which notices dropped and amount recovered after issue of order u/s 73 or 74.To be put up monthly to Dy. Commissioner of State Tax and quarterly to Jt. Commissioner of
State Tax (Range)
MIS ASMT 2.2Count of pendency of SCNs issued, as on date.Information of FORM GST DRC-01 pending for action along amount involved therein and
age of pendency as on date of report.
MIS ASMT 2.3Count of pendency of SCNs issued month end.Information of FORM GST DRC-01 pending for action along amount involved therein and
age of pendency at the end of the month.		To be put up monthly to Dy. Commissioner of State Tax and quarterly to Jt. Commissioner of
State Tax (Range)

15.1 Although, the above said MIS reports are available in Assessment Menu of MIS in BO system. The Head office shall separately give instructions on reporting of scrutiny of returns and performance of wards, districts and ranges.

The instructions contained in this Manual shall be followed scrupulously. The officers shall compulsorily use BO system for scrutiny cases and in case of any difficulty while use of BO system the detailed guidelines available in "Help Manual" of BO system shall be referred.

The help manual of BO system has been annexed at the end of the manual reference. Difficulty, if any, in the implementation of this Manual should be brought to the notice of GST Branch, Head Office.

Scrutiny of Returns at a Glance (Flow Chart)

Scrutiny of Returns at a Glance (Flow Chart)

Annexure 1
Scrutiny Desk Review

(The Head Office shall only supply a list of GSTINs with basic data. Once a particular GSTIN has been received then the field officer shall do return scrutiny as per particulars below)

S No.Indicative ParameterDescription of the ParameterHow to view parameter on BO Web System
1.GSTR-1 – GSTR-3B GapTax liability on account of "Outward taxable supplies (other than zero rated, nil rated and exempted)" and "Outward taxable supplies (zero rated)" as declared in table 3.1(a) and table 3.1(b) respectively of FORM GSTR-3B may be verified with corresponding tax liability in respect of outward taxable supplies declared in table 4 (other than table 4B), table 5, table 6, table 7A(1), table 7B(1), table 11A and table 11B (along with the net effect of amendments thereof in Table 9, 10 and 11(II)) of FORM GSTR-1.

Where the tax liability in respect of supplies declared in the aforementioned tables of FORM GSTR-1 exceeds the liability declared in table 3.1(a) and table 3.1(b) of FORM GSTR-3B, it may indicate short payment of tax.

It may be noted that Table 11B of FORM GSTR-1 captures details of advance amount received in respect of supply of services (goods also upto15.12.2017) in earlier tax periods and adjusted against the supplies shown in the current tax period in table 4, 5, 6 and 7 of FORM GSTR-1. As such, the impact of such details in Table 11B is reduction in liability for the tax period under consideration, as the tax should have already been paid upon receipt of such advance amount.

Comparison between liability declared in GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login → Services→Taxpayer Account→Record Search (Returns)→Fill GSTIN→Select Year→Click Search→Click Tax liabilities and ITC comparison (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A/2B).

Or

This can be viewed at 360 Degree Profile of taxpayer available on the officer"s login on Haryana tax portal i.e., haryanatax.gov.in. Proper Officers can fetch this profile after login in Haryana tax portal→MIS→Dashboard→GST Dashboard→Taxpayer 360.

2.Tax liability on account of "Inward supplies (liable to reverse charge)" as declared in Table 3.1(d) of FORM GSTR-3B may be verified with the following:
(i) ITC availed in Table 4(A)(2) and Table 4(A)(3) of FORM GSTR-3B.Availment of ITC in excess of the liability discharged on account of reverse charge supplies
may indicate either short payment of tax liability on account of RCM supplies or excess
availment of input tax credit in respect of RCM supplies.		GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login → Services → Taxpayer Account → Record Search (Returns → Fill GSTIN→Select Year-)Click Search-)Click ARN of the respective month.
(ii) ITC in respect of inward supplies attracting reverse charge as available in
Table 3 and Table 5 (along with the net effect of
amendments thereof in Table 4 and Table 6 respectively) of FORM GSTR-2A.		In respect of inward supplies attracting reverse charge received from a registered person, the details of
corresponding invoices and debit/credit notes are communicated in table 3 and table 5 of FORM GSTR- 2A. Further, in case of amendment of such details by the corresponding supplies in their FORM GSTR-1, the details of such amendments are
communicated in table 4 and table 5 respectively.However, the details of such inward supplies From unregistered persons are not
communicated in FORM GSTR-2A, as only registered persons furnishFORM GSTR-1.
Moreover, details of ITC on account of tax paid on import of services also are not communicated in FORM GSTR-2A. As such, the reverse charge supplies declared in table 3.1(d) of FORM GSTR-3B cannot be less than the inward supplies attracting reverse charge as available in the above-mentioned tables of FORM GSTR-2A.Where the RCM supplies declared in table 3.1(d) of FORM GSTR-3B are less than the inwardsupplies attracting reverse charge as per details available in FORM GSTR-2A, it may indicate short payment of tax liability on account of RCM supplies.It may be noted that the said tables in FORM GSTR-2A contain details of supplies attracting forward as well as reverse charge. Therefore, only the supplies against which there is "Yes" or "Y" in column 14 of Table 3, column 16 of Table 4, column 15 of Table 5 and column 18 of Table 6 may be considered.In cases where GSTR 2B is available, the details of ITC available on Reverse Charge can be verified from the Table 3 of GSTR-2B.		GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login in Services→ Taxpayer Account-) Record Search → Fill GSTIN → Select GSTR-2B in Document Type-)Select Return in Related

To → Select Year→Click
Search→Click Month.

Or

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO after login on PSRM under HaryanaTax portal.

ToDo → MainMenu →GST All India Taxpayer's Information-)All India Taxpayer's Info→ GSTR2A View-) Fill GSTIN-) Select Month-) Select Financial Year-) Select Section Name-)Click Search.

(iii) Tax/Cess paid in cash as per column 8 of Table 6.1 of FORM GSTR-3B.In respect of inward supplies liable to reverse charge, tax/cess is to be paid in cash. Besides such RCM payments in cash, there may also be other payments in cash by the registered person. In any case, tax liability off-set in cash should not be less than the liability arising on account of reverse charge as per table 3.1(d) of FORMGSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login→Services→Taxpayer Account→Record Search (Returns)→Fill GSTIN→Select Year→Click Search→Click ARN of the respective month.
 3.ITC availed in respect of "Inward supplies from ISD" in Table 4(A)(4) of FORM GSTR-3B
may be verified with Table 7 (along with the net effect of
amendments thereof in Table 8) of
FORM GSTR- 2A.		ITC availed in respect of "Inward supplies from ISD" in Table 4(A)(4) of FORM GSTR-3B can be verified with Table 7
(along with the net effect of amendments thereof in Table 8) of FORM GSTR- 2A.		GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login→Services→Taxpayer Account→Record Search (Returns)→Fill GSTIN→Select Year→Click Search→Click ARN of the respective month.

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BOWEB portal after login in Services→Taxpayer Account→Record SearchàFill GSTIN→Select GSTR-2A in Document Type→Select Return in Related To→Select Year→Click Search→Click Month.

Or

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO after login on PSRM under HaryanaTax portal.

ToDo→MainMenu→GST All India Taxpayer's Information→All India Taxpayer's Info – GSTR2A View→Fill GSTINàSelect Month→Select Financial Year→Select Section Name→Click Search.

 4.ITC availed in respect of "All other ITC" in Table 4(A)(5) of FORM
GSTR-3B may be verified with Table 3 and Table 5 (along with the net effect of amendments thereof in Table 4 and Table 6 respectively) of FORM GSTR-2A.		It may be noted that the said tables in FORM
GSTR-2A contain details of supplies attracting
forward as well as reverse charge. Therefore, only the supplies against
which there is "No" or "N" in column 14 of Table 3, column 16 of
Table 4, column 15 of
Table 5 and column 18 of Table 6 may be
considered.		Comparison between ITC claimed in GSTR-3B and ITC available in GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login →Services→Taxpayer Account→Record Search (Returns)→Fill GSTIN→Select Year→Click Search→Click Tax liabilities and ITC comparison (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-2A/2B).

Or

This can be viewed at 360 Degree Profile of taxpayer available on the officer"s login on Haryana tax portal i.e., haryanatax.gov.in. Proper Officers can fetch this profile after login in Haryana tax portal→MIS→Dashboard→GST Dashboard→Taxpayer 360. It may be noted that amendments are not provided in this Taxpayers 360 tool.

5.It may be verified that the taxable value declared on account of "Outward taxable supplies (other than zero rated, nil rated and exempted)" in Table 3.1(a) of FORM
GSTR-3B is not less than the net amount liable for TCS and TDS credit as per Column 6 of Table 9 of FORM GSTR- 2A.		Section 51 of the HGST Act mandates deduction of tax at source in respect of supplies made to TDS

deductors. Similarly,
section 52 of the HGST

Act requires electronic

commerce operators to
collect tax at source in respect of supplies made through them. The details of such TDS and TCS are

furnished by the
corresponding deductors and operators in their FORM GSTR-7 and FORM GSTR-8 respectively and communicated to the registered person in Table 9 of FORM
GSTR-2A. Besides such supplies, the registered
person may have other supplies also. However, the taxable value declared on account of "Outward taxable supplies (other than zero rated, nil rated and exempted)" in Table 3.1(a) of FORM GSTR-3B cannot be less than the net amount liable for TCS and TDS credit as per Column 6 of Table 9 of FORM GSTR-2A. A discrepancy on the aforementioned count may indicate short reporting of supplies and consequent short payment of tax.

GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login→Services→Taxpayer Account→Record Search (Returns)→Fill GSTIN→Select Year→Click Search→Click ARN of the respective month.

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BOWEB portal after login in Services→Taxpayer Account→Record Search→Fill GSTIN→Select GSTR-2A in Document Type→Select Return in Related To→Select Year→Click Search→Click Month.

Or

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO after login on PSRM under HaryanaTax portal.

ToDo→MainMenu→GST All India Taxpayer's Information→All India Taxpayer's Info – GSTR2A View→Fill GSTIN→Select Month→Select Financial Year→Select Section NameàClick Search.

6.

Liability on account of outward supplies in Table 3.1(a) and 3.1(b) of FORM GSTR-3B should be verified with the Tax liability as declared in e-way bills.Rule 138 of the HGST Rules mandates generation of e-way bill before commencement of movement of goods of consignment value exceeding fifty thousand rupees (in relation to supply, or for reasons other than supply, or due to inward supply from unregistered person).

Besides such supplies, the registered person
may also have such other supplies which do not require generation of e- way bills, such as supply of services or supplies as specified in sub-rule (14) of rule 138, etc.

Therefore, e-way bills capture a part of supplies made by the registered person. However, in table 3.1 of FORM GSTR-3B, the registered person is required to declare details of all outward supplies.

Accordingly, liability declared in table 3.1 (a) and (b) of FORM
GSTR-3B should not be less than tax liability as declared in the e-way bills.

GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login→ Services→ Taxpayer Account→ Record Search (Returns)→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Year→ Click Search→ Click ARN of the respective month.

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BOWEB portal after login in Services→ Taxpayer Account→ Record Search→ Fill GSTIN→ Select GSTR-2A in Document Type→ Select Return in Related To→ Select Year→ Click Search→ Click Month.

Or

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO after login on PSRM under Haryana Tax portal.
To Do→ Main Menu→ GST All India Taxpayer's Information→ All India Taxpayer's Info – GSTR2A View→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Month→ Select Financial Year→ Select Section Name→ Click Search.

 7Claim of ITC in respect of supplies from taxpayers whose registrations have been cancelled retrospectively.In case of retrospective cancellation of
registration of a supplier, the recipient is not
entitled to claim ITC in respect of invoices or debit notes issued after the effective date of cancellation of the registration. Effective date of cancellation of registrations of the suppliers, if any, is made available in Table 3 / Column 20 of FORM GSTR-2A. Accordingly, it may be verified whether the registered
person has availed ITC in respect of such
invoices or debit notes issued by the suppliers after the effective date of cancellation of their registrations.		GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login→ Services→ Taxpayer Account→ Record Search (Returns)→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Year→ Click Search→ Click ARN of the respective month.

Outward supply declared in E-way Bill by any taxpayer can be verified by the PO by logging into E-Way Bill System Portal using URL https://mis.ewaybillgst.gov.in

Or

This can be viewed at 360 Degree Profile of taxpayer available on the officer's login on Haryana tax portal i.e., haryanatax.gov.in. Proper Officers can fetch this profile after login in Haryana tax portal→ MIS→ Dashboard→ GST Dashboard→ Taxpayer 360.

8Ineligible ITC availed in respect of invoices / debit
notes issued by the suppliers who have not filed their GSTR-3B returns for the relevant tax period.		Table 3/ Column No 17 of FORM GSTR-2A of the registered person contains the details of
"GSTR-3B filing status" of the supplier in respect of each invoice / debit note received by the registered person. Where the said status is "No", it indicates the supplier has furnished invoice details in his FORM GSTR-1, but has not furnished the return in FORM GSTR- 3B for the corresponding tax period. The availment of ITC in respect of such invoices / debit notes may be
checked.		GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login→ Services→ Taxpayer Account→ Record Search (Returns)→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Year→ Click Search→ Click ARN of the respective month.

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BOWEB portal after login in Services→ Taxpayer Account→ Record Search→ Fill GSTIN→ Select GSTR-2A in Document Type→ Select Return in Related To→ Select Year→ Click Search→ Click Month.

Or

GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO after login on PSRM under Haryana Tax portal.

To Do→ Main Menu→ GST All India Taxpayer's Information→ All India Taxpayer's Info – GSTR2A View→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Month→ Select Financial Year→ Select Section Name→ Click Search.

9.Whether GSTR-3B of a tax period is filed after the last date of availment of ITC in respect of any invoice / debit note as per section 16(4). In such cases, no ITC shall be availed in the
return.		Sub-section (4) of section 16 of HGST Act
provides for availment of ITC only till the due date of furnishing of FORM GSTR-3B for the month of September following the end of FY to which such ITC pertains or furnishing of relevant Annual Return, whichever is earlier.Accordingly, if any return in FORM GSTR-3B is furnished after such time by the registered person under scrutiny,
any ITC availed therein is inadmissible.It may also be noted that vide proviso to sub-
section (4) of section 16, for FY 2017-18, availment of ITC was allowed beyond the due		GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login Services→ Taxpayer Account → Record Search (Returns) → Fill GSTIN → Select Year → Click Search → Click ARN of the respective month.
10.ITC availed in respect of "Import of goods" in Table 4(A)(1) of FORM GSTR-3B may be verified with corresponding details in Table 10 and Table 11 of FORM GSTR-2A.Wherever required, the details of such imports may also be cross verified from ICEGATE portal.GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login Services → Taxpayer Account→ Record Search (Returns)→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Year → Click Search→ Click ARN of the respective month.
GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO on BOWEB portal after login in Services → Taxpayer Account→ Record Search→ Fill GSTIN→ Select GSTR-2A in Document Type→ Select Return in Related To→ Select Year→ Click Search→ Click Month.
Or
GSTR-2A can be viewed by the PO after login on PSRM under Haryana Tax portal.
To Do → MainMenu→ GST All India Taxpayer's Information→ All India Taxpayer's Info – GSTR2A View→ Fill GSTIN→ Select Month→ Select Financial Year→ Select Section Name→ Click Search.The details of ITC availed on import of goods can be verified by entering details of Bill of Entry on ICEGATE portal. The URL for the same is https://enquiry.icegate.gov.in/ enquiryatices/beTrackIces
"ICEGATE – Bill Of Entry At ICES"
 11Whether the registered person has made reversals of ITC in accordance with provisions of rule 42 and rule 43 of the HGST Rules.Rule 42 of the HGST Rules provides for
manner of determination of input tax credit in
respect of inputs or input services and reversal thereof. Rule 43 of HGST Rules provides for manner of determination of input tax credit in respect of capital goods and reversal thereof in certain cases. The registered person avails ITC in table 4(A) of FORM GSTR-3B and reverses in Table 4(B). It may be verified whether requisite reversals have actually
been made by the said registered person.		GSTR-3B can be viewed by the PO on BO WEB portal after login → Services → Taxpayer Account → Record Search (Returns) → Fill GSTIN →Select Year→ Click Search→ Click ARN of the respective month.
 12Whether the registered person has paid interest
liability in terms of section 50.		As per section 50 of the HGST Act a registered person is required to pay interest on delayed payment of tax. It may be verified whether interest payable as per the provisions of section 50 of the HGST Act has actually been paid by the registered person.

Where the taxpayer has

It may be noted that proviso to Sub section (1) of Section 50 states that the interest on tax is payable in respect of supplies made during a tax period and declared in the return for the said period furnished after the due date in accordance with the provisions of section 39, except where such return is furnished after commencement of any proceedings under section 73 or section 74 in respect of the said period, interest shall be payable on that portion of the tax which is paid by debiting the electronic cash ledger.
13Whether the registered person has paid late fee in terms of section 47 in respect of
returns/ statements.		As per section 47 of the HGST Act, 2017 a registered person is required to pay late fee for delayed filing of returns / statements under the Act. It may be verified whether late fee payable as per the provisions of section 47 of the HGST Act has actually been paid by the registered person.
14Filing of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C by the eligible taxpayers.It shall be ensured by the Proper Officers that the taxpayers liable to file GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C have filed their returns and if not filed then late fee shall be recovered.
15Verification of transitional credit.Transitional credit claimed by the taxpayers shall be verified by the Proper Officer.

Any taxpayer who has not filed HVAT return for last quarter of 2016-17 and first quarter of 2017-18 but claimed transitional credit in TRAN-1.

Closing balance in HVAT R-1 and R-2 is less than the credit claimed in TRAN-1.

16Scrutiny of Composition TaxpayersTaxpayers opted for composition but showing turnover more than 1.5 Cr.
17Any other Parameter that the proper officer deems fit.

Annexure No-2
FAQ's (Scrutiny of Returns)
(As provided by GSTN)

FAQ > Scrutiny of Returns

Q. 1 I am not getting Scrutiny of Returns link in my Dashboard. Why?

Ans. You may not have been assigned the role of Adjudicating Authority by the State Admin. Request your State Admin to allocate you the role of Adjudicating Authority. Once the role is assigned, you will be allocated Scrutiny of Returns link for further action.

Q.2 When do a Tax Official need to conduct Scrutiny of Returns?

Ans. In case, any discrepancy is found in return furnished by registered person on the basis of risk parameters or suo-moto on his / her own motion, then Tax Official can issue a notice informing the user of such discrepancies and seek clarification from that person.

Registered person may either accept such discrepancies and pay tax, interest and penalty amount arising from such discrepancies and inform the same to the Tax Official or furnish an explanation for the identified discrepancy.

Where the explanation furnished by the registered person is found to be satisfactory, the Tax Official needs to issue order of acceptance of reply against notice issued and if it is not acceptable, then Tax Official may proceed to determine the tax and other dues or may recommend the case to Audit/ Special audit/ Enforcement wing.

Q.3 From where can I issue notice to the taxpayers?

Ans. After logging in to the GST Back Office portal, navigate to Statutory Functions > Assessment/Adjudication > Scrutiny of Returns > Case Detail > NOTICES option.

Q.4 From where can I view the reply filed by the taxpayers?

Ans. After logging in to the GST Back Office portal, navigate to Statutory Functions > Assessment/Adjudication > Scrutiny of Returns > Case Detail > REPLIES option.

Q.5 From where can I recommend the case to other modules?

Ans. After logging in to the GST Back Office portal, navigate to Statutory Functions > Assessment/Adjudication > Scrutiny of Returns > Case Detail > RECOMMEND option.

Q.6 When can I recommended a case to other modules?

Ans. In case, reply to notice given by the taxpayer is not satisfactory, you can recommend to initiate proceedings u/s 73/74 for determination of tax or recommend to initiate action under Audit/ Special Audit/ Enforcement u/s 65/66/67.

Q.7 From where can I issue orders to the taxpayers?

Ans.After logging in to the GST Back Office portal, navigate to Statutory Functions > Assessment/Adjudication > Scrutiny of Returns > Case Detail > ORDERS option.

Q.8 What will happen once "Drop Proceedings" order is issued?

Ans.In case, reply to notice given by the taxpayer is satisfactory, you can issue the "Drop Proceedings" order.

Once the "Drop Proceedings" order is issued, status of the case is updated to "Order for dropping proceedings issued". Also, system sends an intimation to the taxpayer via email and SMS, and makes this order available on the Taxpayer's dashboard.

Q.9 From where can I add additional documents related to Case ID?

Ans.After logging in to the GST Back Office portal, navigate to Statutory Functions > Assessment/Adjudication > Scrutiny of Returns > Case Detail > REFERENCES option.

Q.10 Does a taxpayer get any intimation about the notice or order issued to them?

Ans.Taxpayer will get intimation about all notices and orders issued to him/her though SMS and e-mail.

Q.11 By when can a taxpayer reply to notice issued to them?

Ans.The taxpayer need to reply within 30 days from the date of service of notice issued u/s 61 to furnish explanation or request for extension.

Q.12 What needs to be done in case reply to notice given by the taxpayer is not satisfactory?

Ans.In case, reply to notice given by the taxpayer is not satisfactory, you need to recommend to initiate proceedings u/s 73/74 for determination of tax or recommend to initiate action under Audit/ Special Audit/ Enforcement u/s 65/66/67. Once it's recommended, then:

  • Internal Reference Number (ARN/Case id) will get generated
  • The work item (ARN/Case id) will appear in pending list under "Determination of Tax" under Assessment & Adjudication module or will appear under work item list under Audit/ Special Audit/ Enforcement modules to initiate action
  • Internal status will be "Recommended for action u/s 73/74" or "Recommended for audit u/s 65" or "Recommended for special audit u/s 66" or "Recommended for enforcement/survey u/s 67"
  • Status of RFN taxpayer will remain "Reply furnished, pending for order"

Q.13 What are the various statuses for Scrutiny of Returns?

Ans.Various statuses for Scrutiny of Returns updated automatically by GST Portal are:

1. Pending for Action by tax officer: Status of ARN of return under work item of A/A for scrutiny

2. Closed: On removing the item from "List of Return under Scrutiny"

3. Pending for reply by taxpayer: Status of ARN/Case id and RFN upon issue of notice

4. Reply furnished: Pending for order by tax officer: Status of ARN/ Case id and RFN upon submission of reply

5. Reply not furnished, pending for order: Status of ARN/ Case id and RFN, if person does not attend PH/ furnish explanation on date specified in SCN or Extended date

6. Order for dropping proceedings issued: Status of ARN/ Case id and RFN upon dropping the proceedings

7. Recommended for action u/s 73: Status of ARN/ Case id upon initiating proceedings u/s 73 for Determination of Tax

8. Recommended for action u/s 74: Status of ARN/ Case id upon initiating proceedings u/s 74 for Determination of Tax

9. Recommended for Audit u/s 65: Status of ARN/ Case id upon recommended the case to Audit

10. Recommended for Special Audit u/s 66: Status of ARN/ Case id upon recommended the case to Special Audit

11. Recommended for Survey/ Inspection u/s 67: Status of ARN/ Case id upon Recommended the case under Enforcement

12. Pending for order by tax officer: Status of ARN/ Case id and RFN, in case, no reply submitted against notice within time specified or extended time

Q.14 Do I need to upload details of receipt of order sent by post to the taxpayer?

Ans.Tax Officer needs to update the details of receipt of order sent by post to the taxpayer in 'Reference folder i.e. date of delivery and upload the receipt related to post on the GST portal.

Q.15 What is the difference between Communication and References tab?

Ans.Communication tab is used to upload documents which have been used to communicate to taxpayer offline. References tab is used to upload additional documents or communication related to the case.

Scrutiny of Returns

How can I conduct procedure of scrutiny of Returns against the taxpayer?

To conduct procedure of scrutiny of Returns u/s 61 and proceed to determine tax & other dues u/s 73 or 74 or to recommend for initiating action u/s 65, 66 or 67 against the taxpayer, in the role of Adjudicating Authority, perform following steps:

A. Initiate Suo Moto or Search for ARN

A (1) Initiate Suo Moto Proceeding

A (2) Search for an already-created ARN/Case ID

B. Take action using NOTICES tab of Case Details screen:

B(1) Issue/View Notice

B (2) Reminder