GST Department Detects Rs 7.56 Crore Tax Evasion in Railway Station Parking Services Across Kerala:

The Intelligence and Enforcement wings of the Kerala State Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department have detected suspected tax evasion worth Rs 7.56 crore in the vehicle-parking services sector.

Inspections were conducted on September 16 at 69 locations across Kerala, including the main offices, residences and other business premises of 22 taxpayers providing parking services at railway stations.

The inspections found that the taxpayers had reported much lower turnover in their GST returns than the actual income generated from their parking services. Officials also found that some businesses were using multiple QR codes to receive payments. Prima facie, the department detected turnover suppression of around Rs 42 crore, resulting in suspected tax evasion of Rs 7.56 crore.

The department collected business transaction data from software systems used by 13 taxpayers. Information about the remaining taxpayers was collected from books, registers and mobile phone chats. A detailed investigation is now under way.

The GST Intelligence wing has also collected information on vehicle-parking facilities at more than 1,000 locations across the state, including KSRTC premises, hospitals, malls and theatres. Further inspections are expected at establishments suspected of tax evasion.

People can confidentially report suspected tax evasion to the State GST Department at [email protected].

The State GST Commissioner said the department would step up investigations and take action against establishments found to be involved in tax evasion