Crackdown on GST Evasion: Vigilance Measures for Onam Business Season

Stringent measures will be implemented to curb Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion during the bustling Onam season, a period of peak business activity in the state. All Joint Commissioners of the GST Department have received directives to carry out thorough inspections.

These inspections are aimed at plugging any potential leaks in tax revenue that could occur during the festival. Additionally, comprehensive data on goods arriving from other states will be systematically compiled. GST officials from other states will be engaged to gather information on traders dispatching significant quantities of goods to Kerala. Enhanced vehicle checks will be enforced at state borders. A watchful eye will be kept on shops to ensure proper billing practices. Non-billing establishments are also slated for inspection.

Hotels’ remittance of collected GST to the government will be scrutinized. Merchants obligated to generate e-invoices for shipments will be reminded of their responsibility. In areas with higher susceptibility to tax evasion, there is a suggestion to employ artificial intelligence in conducting specialized examinations by scrutinizing tax returns.