SOP for Scrutiny of GST returns for FY 2017-18 and 2018-19

CBIC vide Instruction No. 02/2022-GST | Dated: 22nd March, 2022 released Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Scrutiny of returns for FY 2017-18 and 2018-19  which contains Relevant statutory provisions (Section 61- Scrutiny of returns, Rule 99-Scrutiny of returns), Basis for Selection of GST returns for scrutiny, Proper officer for scrutiny of returns, Scrutiny Schedule, Process of scrutiny by the Proper Officer, Timelines for scrutiny of returns, Scrutiny Schedule, Indicative List Of Parameters For Scrutiny, Scrutiny Register To Be Maintained By The Proper Officer and Monthly Scrutiny Progress Report format.

CBIC-20006/4/2022-GST
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
GST Policy Wing, New Delhi.
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Instruction No. 02/2022-GST | Dated: 22nd March, 2022

To,
All the Principal Chief Commissioners / Chief Commissioners / Principal Commissioners /Commissioners of Central Tax
All the Principal Directors General/ Directors General of Central Tax

Madam/Sir,

Subject:

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Scrutiny of returns for FY 2017-18 and 2018-19 – reg.

Section 61 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “the CGST Act”) read with rule 99 of Central Goods and Services Tax Rules, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “the CGST Rules”) provides for scrutiny of returns and related particulars furnished by the registered person. Till the time a Scrutiny Module for online scrutiny of returns is made available on the CBIC-GST application, as an interim measure, the following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being issued by the Board in order to ensure uniformity in selection/ identification of returns for scrutiny, methodology of scrutiny of such returns and other related procedures.

2. Relevant statutory provisions

2.1 Section 61 of the CGST Act, read with rule 99 of the CGST Rules, 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 section 67, 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.”

2.2 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 DGARM, ADVAIT, 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 CGST Act.

3. Selection of returns for scrutiny

3.1 Selection of returns for scrutiny is to be based on specific risk parameters. For this purpose, the Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM) has been assigned the task to select the GSTINs registered with Central tax authorities, whose returns are to be scrutinized, and to communicate the same to the field formations from time to time through the DDM portal (to the nodal officer of the Commissionerate concerned) for further action.

3.2 For convenience of field officers, DGARM would also provide some relevant data (along with likely revenue implication) pertaining to the returns to be scrutinized through the DDM portal. It may be noted that the data provided by the DGARM is generated at a particular point of time which may undergo change at the time of scrutiny of returns by the proper officer due to subsequent compliances carried out by the taxpayer or by the suppliers of the taxpayer. The proper officer shall, therefore, rely upon the latest available data.

4. Proper officer for scrutiny of returns

Vide Circular No. 3/3/2017 – GST dated 05.07.2017, “Superintendent of Central Tax” has been assigned the functions as the proper officer in relation to sub-section (1) and sub-section (3) of section 61 of the CGST Act. Accordingly, scrutiny of returns of a taxpayer may be conducted by Superintendent of Central Tax in-charge of the jurisdictional range of the said taxpayer.

5. Scrutiny Schedule

5.1 Once the list of GSTINs, whose returns have been selected for scrutiny, is communicated to the field formations, the proper officer, with the approval of the divisional Assistant / Deputy Commissioner, shall finalize a scrutiny schedule. Such scrutiny schedule will specify month-wise schedule for scrutiny in respect of all the GSTINs selected for scrutiny. While preparing the scrutiny schedule, the scrutiny of the GSTINs, which appear to be riskier based on the likely revenue implication indicated by DGARM, may be prioritized. Such scrutiny schedules in respect of all the ranges within the CGST Zone shall be reported to the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax (DGGST) by the concerned Zone, in the format enclosed as Annexure A.

5.2 The proper officer shall conduct scrutiny of returns pertaining to minimum of 3 GSTINs per month. Scrutiny of returns of one GSTIN shall mean scrutiny of all returns pertaining to a financial year for which the said GSTIN has been identified for scrutiny.

6. Process of scrutiny by the Proper Officer

6.1 The Proper Officer shall scrutinize the returns and related particulars furnished by the registered person to verify the correctness of the returns. Information available with the proper officer on the system in the form of various returns and statements furnished by the registered person and the data/details made available through various sources like DGARM, ADVAIT, GSTN, E-Way Bill Portal, etc. may be relied upon for this purpose.

6.2 For convenience of proper officers, an indicative list of parameters to be verified is enclosed as Annexure B. It may be noted that the said list is only indicative, and not exhaustive. The proper officer may also consider any other parameter, as he may deem fit, for the purpose of scrutiny.

6.3 It may be noted that at this stage, the proper officer is expected to rely upon the information available with him or with the department. As far as possible, scrutiny of returns should have minimal interface between the proper officer and the registered person and, there should normally not be any need for seeking documents/ records from the taxpayers before issuance of FORM GST ASMT-10.

6.4 The proper officer shall issue a notice to the registered person in FORM GST ASMT-10 informing him of the discrepancies noticed and seeking his explanation thereto. While issuing such notice, the Proper Officer may, as far as possible, quantify the amount of tax, interest and any other amount payable in relation to such discrepancies. It may also be ensured that the discrepancies so communicated may, as far as possible, be specific in nature and not vague or general. There may be cases where the registered person may already have made additional payment of tax, cess, etc., after filing of the returns for the relevant tax period, through FORM GST DRC-03. The payments thus made through FORM GST DRC-03 may also be taken into consideration while communicating discrepancies to the taxpayer in FORM GST ASMT-10.

6.5 For each GSTIN identified for scrutiny for a financial year, the proper officer is required to scrutinize all the returns pertaining to the corresponding Financial Year under consideration and a single compiled notice in FORM GST ASMT-10 may be issued to the taxpayer for that financial year.

6.6 The registered person may accept the discrepancy mentioned in the notice issued in FORM GST ASMT-10, and pay the tax, interest and any other amount arising from such discrepancy through FORM GST DRC-03 and inform the same or may furnish an explanation for the discrepancy in FORM GST ASMT-11 to the proper officer within the time period prescribed under rule 99 of CGST Rules.

6.7 Where the explanation furnished by the registered person or the information submitted in respect of acceptance of discrepancy and payment of dues is found to be acceptable by the Proper Officer, he shall conclude the proceedings by informing the registered person in FORM GST ASMT-12.

6.8 In case no satisfactory explanation is furnished by the registered person in FORM GST ASMT-11 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 pay the tax, interest and any other amount arising from such discrepancies, the proper officer, may proceed to determine the tax and other dues under section 73 or section 74. Needless to mention, for proceeding under section 73 or section 74, monetary limits as specified in Circular No. 31/05/2018-GST dated 9th February 2018 shall be adhered to. However, if the proper officer is of the opinion that the matter needs to be pursued further through audit or investigation to determine the correct liability of the said registered person, then he may refer the matter to the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner / Commissioner through the divisional Assistant / Deputy Commissioner, for the decision whether the matter needs to be referred to Audit Commissionerate or Anti-evasion Wing of the Commissionerate, as the case may be.

7. Timelines for scrutiny of returns

7.1 Scrutiny of returns is to be conducted in a time bound manner, so that necessary action to safeguard revenue may be taken up expeditiously. In this regard, the following timelines may be observed by all concerned:

7.2 It may also be ensured while conducting scrutiny that the requisite action for issuing notices/orders is taken well ahead of the time limits as prescribed in section 73 or section 74 of the CGST Act, as the case may be, in respect of a return identified for scrutiny for a financial year.

8. Reporting and Monitoring

A Scrutiny Register shall be maintained by the proper officer in respect of the GSTINs allotted for scrutiny, in the format detailed in Annexure C. The progress of the scrutiny exercise as per the scrutiny schedule shall be monitored by the jurisdictional Principal Commissioner/ Commissioner on monthly basis. Further, a Scrutiny Progress Report, in the format detailed in Annexure D, shall be prepared by the proper officer at the end of every month. The monthly Scrutiny Progress Report for each Commissionerate of the CGST Zone shall be compiled for each month and forwarded to the Director General of Goods and Service Tax (DGGST) by the Principal Chief Commissioner/Chief Commissioner of the concerned Zone by 10th day of the succeeding month. The DGGST, in turn, would present the progress report to the Board, through the GST Policy Wing, by the 20^th day of the corresponding month.

9. Till the time scrutiny module is made available on the CBIC-GST application/A10 for CBIC officers, the aforesaid interim procedure for scrutiny of returns may be conducted on manual basis. Any communication with the taxpayer for the purpose of scrutiny shall be made with the use of DIN as per the guidelines mentioned in the Circular No. 122/41/2019-GST dated 5th November 2019.

10. This SOP is envisaged to enable the department to leverage technology and risk-based tools to encourage self-compliance and to conduct scrutiny of returns with minimal interaction with the registered persons. All Principal Chief Commissioners (PCCs)/ Chief Commissioners (CCs) are requested to closely monitor timely scrutiny of returns of the identified GSTINs within their jurisdictions.

11. Difficulties, if any, in implementation of these instructions may be informed to the Board (gs^. [email protected]).

(Sanjay Mangal)

Principal Commissioner (GST)

Annexure A

SCRUTINY SCHEDULE
(Refer Para 5.1)

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Annexure B

INDICATIVE LIST OF PARAMETERS FOR SCRUTINY
(Refer Para 6.2)

1. Tax 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(11)) 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 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.

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.

(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 GSTR­2A. 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 furnish FORM GSTR-1. Moreover, details of ITC on account of 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 inward supplies 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.

(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 FORM GSTR-3B. Where the tax liability off-set in cash is less than the liability arising on account of reverse charge, it may indicate short payment of tax.

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

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.

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 CGST Act mandates deduction of tax at source in respect of supplies made to TDS deductors. Similarly, section 52 of the CGST 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 payment of tax.

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 CGST 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.

7. Claim of ITC in respect of supplies from taxpayers whose registrations have been cancelled

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 relevant tables 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.

8. Ineligible 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.

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.

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 CGST 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 date of furnishing of return for the month of September, 2018 till the due date of furnishing of the return in FORM GSTR-3B for the month of March, 2019 subject to the condition that the details of the said invoices / debit notes should have been furnished by the suppliers in their FORM GSTR-1 till the due date of furnishing of FORM GSTR-1 for the month of March, 2019.

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.

11. Whether the registered person has made reversals of ITC in accordance with provisions of rule 42 and rule 43 of the CGST Rules.

Rule 42 of the CGST Rules provides for manner of determination of input tax credit in respect of inputs or input services and reversal thereof. Rule 43 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.

12. Whether the registered person has paid interest liability in terms of section 50.

As per section 50 of the CGST 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 CGST Act has actually been paid by the registered person.

13. Whether the registered person has paid late fee in terms of section 47 in respect of returns/statements.

As per section 47 of the CGST Act 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 CGST Act has actually been paid by the registered person.

Annexure C

SCRUTINY REGISTER TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE PROPER OFFICER
(Refer Para 8)

Annexure D

MONTHLY SCRUTINY PROGRESS REPORT

(Refer Para 8)

Zone:……………………………….

Commissionerate: …………………

Financial Year:……………………

Report for the Month:……………….

(Amount in Rs. Lakhs)