Commissioner State Taxes takes comprehensive review of Deptt in Kashmir

Emphasizes pivotal role of the Deptt in ensuring financial discipline, fostering a culture of accountability

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 17: To assess ongoing activities, address challenges, and streamline strategies for improved tax compliance and revenue augmentation, Commissioner State Taxes J&K, P.K. Bhat Friday chaired an extensive review meeting of the State Taxes Department, Kashmir Division.

The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner State Taxes Kashmir, Parveez Ahmad Raina, State Taxes Officers from all circles of Kashmir Division.

Addressing the meeting, the Commissioner State Taxes J&K emphasized the pivotal role of the State Taxes Department in ensuring financial discipline and highlighted priority areas requiring immediate attention.

The meeting discussed key focus areas including identification of Fake ITC Suppliers, monitoring of TDS Payments, timely filing of Returns, action on Intelligence Reports, addressing Dormant Dealers, Audit and Revenue Realisation, Verification of E-Way Bills and others.

Discussing identification of fake ITC Suppliers, the Commissioner underscored the importance of identifying taxpayers who pass on Input Tax Credit (ITC) through GSTR-1 but fail to file their GSTR-3B returns, creating revenue gaps.

Officers were directed to ensure that taxpayers receiving Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) payments from deductors adhere to filing their GSTR-3B returns promptly.
The Commissioner stressed on the need for strict adherence to return filing deadlines, with a view to maintaining regularity in revenue collection.

He also called for prompt and decisive action against taxpayers referred to various circles based on intelligence inputs. Officers were tasked to analyze such cases and take appropriate measures to address any discrepancies.

Addressing Dormant Dealers issue, Bhat highlighted the necessity of identifying dormant dealers who file Nil returns but continue to receive goods based on PAN and Aadhaar credentials, ensuring such practices are curtailed.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive review of actions taken under Section 65 of the J&K GST Act, 2017, was conducted. The Commissioner directed the officers to present action-taken reports and detail the revenue realized as a result of the Audit.

Also, ensuring proper scrutiny of E-Way Bills was identified as a critical component of preventing revenue leakage and ensuring compliance. The officers were advised to check on a regular basis the flow of inward and outward supplies so that revenue due is realised.

The Commissioner highlighted the importance of using various tools like MIS (Management Information System), GST Prime. He elaborated on the functionality of GST Prime, emphasizing its potential to provide actionable insights, saving time and energy while enhancing revenue collection.

Officers were encouraged to maximize the use of these tools for effective monitoring and compliance.

Bhat also stressed the need to focus on areas such as cement, iron, and mobile sectors, where potential revenue leakages may occur due to non-compliance or violations. Officers were directed to ensure strict enforcement of GST laws in these sectors and plug any loopholes.

The Commissioner emphasized the importance of raising awareness among taxpayers about return filing requirements, particularly the necessity of filing returns with proportionate liability in cash to meet their tax liabilities. He also directed officers to engage with the taxpayer fraternity and provide guidance to improve compliance.

The Commissioner reiterated the department’s commitment to maintaining constant vigilance and fostering a culture of accountability. He stressed the importance of a proactive approach in identifying non-compliance and enhancing revenue generation for the state.