GST Tax Evasion 11 Crore: Department Raids at Hotels & Resorts Near Gir National Park

The Gujarat Goods and Services Tax (SGST) department searched 40 hotels, resorts, and booking agents in and near Sasan-Gir National Park and uncovered Rs.11.97 crore in tax evasion.

The raid involved around 400 SGST officials. Travel agents were raided earlier in 2019 as well, and tax evasion worth crores of rupees was discovered.

According to an official statement released by the department on Saturday, hotels and resorts in Sasan-Gir were found to have recorded lower room charges, supplied undeclared services, and paid tax under low slabs.

Hotels, resorts, and travel agencies have been revealed to be claiming ITCs fraudulently and evading taxes on a big scale. Officers discovered a considerable number of cash transaction paperwork during the raid. Travel agents are often required to pay 5% GST on travel packages and 12 to 18% GST on lodging reservations. Whose credit cannot be traced back to one another. However, because to the enormous volume of cash transactions, the SGST agency has conducted wide-scale raids.

The investigators have demanded that the erring hotels and resorts pay Rs.3.04 crore in taxes and penalties. According to the press release, the department has already collected Rs.2.14 crore.