GST Evasion: GST to set up 5 forensic laboratories to tackle digital savvy evaders

The CBIC has granted permission for establishment of five in-house digital forensic laboratories inside DGGI. This internal method tries to make tax evasion investigations easier.

Set up of 5 forensic laboratories to tackle digital savvy evaders

Reetu | Jan 24, 2023 |

GST Evasion: GST to set up 5 forensic laboratories to tackle digital savvy evaders

GST Evasion: GST to set up 5 forensic laboratories to tackle digital savvy evaders

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has granted permission for the establishment of five in-house digital forensic laboratories inside the Directorate General of GST Intelligence. This internal method tries to make tax evasion investigations easier.

CBIC Chairman Vivek Johri confirmed this development in his communication to all the staff. He stated, “Tax evaders and delinquents are becoming more common as we transition to a more digital work environment. As a result, improving our digital forensics and investigation capabilities is a vital and continuous task.”

Digital forensics is a field of forensic science that focuses on detecting, obtaining, processing, analysing, and reporting on material stored electronically, according to Interpol. Electronic evidence is present in practically every illegal activity, and digital forensics assistance is critical for law enforcement investigations. These proofs can be gathered from a variety of sources, including computers, smartphones, remote storage, unmanned aerial systems, shipborne devices, and others. The primary purpose of digital forensics is to collect data from electronic evidence, convert it into actionable information, and present the findings in court. To ensure that the findings are admissible in court, all processes employ good forensic techniques.

According to Johri, with deep penetration of information technology, adoption of automated accounting systems, and proliferation of devices on which businesses may store data, it is critical for the CBIC to have the necessary physical infrastructure, skill sets, know-how, and ability to access data from those systems/devices and to be able to de-encrypt, decipher, and at times, even de-bug it for carrying out investigations. “In-house laboratories would meet this demand and provide a solid foundation for our investigations,” he said.

This is one of the most recent methods to strengthen the fight against tax evasion. Recent measures include using robust data analytics and artificial intelligence to identify and track risky taxpayers and detect tax evasion, as well as conducting a nationwide special drive against unscrupulous entities for fraudulently obtaining and passing on input tax credit (ITC) on the basis of fake/bogus invoices. Furthermore, ITC is only available for invoices and debit notes provided by the provider in their statement of external shipments.

CBIC shares data with partner law enforcement authorities in order to provide more targeted interventions. Then there’s the necessary Aadhaar-based authentication for new GST registrations, as well as the centralised suspension of registered persons who fail to file returns on time. The threshold limit for issuing an e-invoice for business-to-business transactions has been cut from 20 crore to 10 crore.

Non-compliant taxpayers’ ability to generate e-way bills has been restricted by the government. Aside from that, the beneficial owner will now be subject to the same penalties and prosecution as the real supplier/recipient in circumstances where a supply was made without the production of an invoice, or an invoice was issued without a supply, or excess ITC was availed/distributed. According to CBIC officials, the average monthly collection has already increased to more than Rs.1.40 lakh crore. Furthermore, additional initiatives are likely to increase compliance even further.

 

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