Analysis on Special Audit under GST

Introduction

GST is a trust-based taxation regime wherein the assessee is required to self-assess his returns and determine tax liability without any intervention by the tax official. Therefore a tax regime that relies on self-assessment has to put in place a robust audit mechanism to measure and ensure compliance of the provisions of law by the taxable person.

Definition

“Audit” is defined under section 2 (13) of the CGST Act, 2017. It includes as mentioned below for special audit:

• Examination of records;
• Returns maintenance and;
• Other documents maintained (or furnished) by the registered person under the GST Acts.

It also requires verifying the certain things mentioned below:

• The correctness of turnover declared;
• Taxes paid;
• Refund claimed and;
• Input Tax Credit (ITC) availed and to assess their compliance with the provisions of the GST Acts.

Purpose of Special Audit

Special Audit helps the GST officers to take the assistance of chartered/ cost accountant to determine tax liabilities in complex cases.As a result, professional expertise of a chartered/ cost ensures the government interest in the lawful and legal way for safety.

Types of Audit

GST envisages three types of Audit.

1. The first audit is by a chartered accountant or a cost accountant. Every registered person whose aggregate turnover during a financial year exceeds two crore rupees has to get his accounts audited by a chartered accountant or a cost accountant and furnish a copy of audited annual accounts and a reconciliation statement, duly certified, in FORM GSTR-9C. 

2. In the second type which is the normal audit, the Commissioner or any officer authorised by him, can undertake audit of any registered person for such period, at such frequency and in such manner as may be prescribed.

3. The third type of audit is called the Special Audit. In Special Audit the registered person can be directed to get his records including books of account examined and audited by a chartered accountant or a cost accountant during any stage of scrutiny, inquiry, investigation or any other proceedings;depending upon the complexity of the case.

Procedure of Special Audit

1. During the scrutiny, inquiry, investigation or any other proceedings of a registered person, the Assistant Commissioner or any officer senior to him, having regard to the nature and complexity of the case and the interest of revenue, might be of the opinion that the value has not been correctly declared or the credit availed is not within the normal limits.

2. In such cases, with the prior approval of the Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner or any officer senior to him can directthe registered person in FORM GST ADT-03 to get his records including books of account examined and audited by a specified chartered accountant or a cost accountant. The chartered accountant or a cost accountantwill benominated by the Commissioner.

3. The chartered accountant or cost accountant so nominated has to submit a report of such audit within the period of ninety days, duly signed and certified by him to the Assistant Commissioner.

4. On an application made by the registered person or the chartered accountant or cost accountant or for any material and sufficient reason, the Assistant Commissioner can extend the said period by a further period of ninety days.

5. The provisions of special audit shall have effect even if the accounts of the registered person have been audited under any other provisions of the GST Act or any other law for the time being in force.

6. The registered person shall be given an opportunity of being heard in respect of any material gathered on the basis of special audit and which is proposed to be used in any proceedings against him under this Act or the rules made thereunder.

7. The expenses of the examination and audit of records, including the remuneration of such chartered accountant or cost accountant, shall be determined and paid by the Commissioner. 

8. On conclusion of the special audit, the registered person shall be informed of the findings of the special audit in FORM GST ADT-04. 

9. Where the special audit results in detection of tax not paid or short paid or erroneously refunded, or input tax credit wrongly availed or utilised, the process of demand and recovery will be initiated against the registered person. 

Conclusion

Special audit provides a lawful and legal way for the GST officers to take the assistance of a chartered accountant or cost accountant to determine tax liabilities in complex cases. The professional expertise of a chartered accountant or cost accountant will be of great significance in ensuring that theinterest of revenue is safeguarded at all times.