Fake GST Bill: The central government implemented the GST (Goods and Services Tax) system in the year 2017 to simplify the tax system and prevent tax evasion. But even today cases of GST theft and fake bills are coming to the fore.
GST Bill Scam happens on a large scale through fake invoice bills. In such a situation, to stop them, it is very important that people know how to identify between real and fake GST bills. Because in the recent times, there has been a significant increase in GST fraud cases.
So let us know how to identify real and fake GST bills? But before that let us know what is a GST invoice?
What is GST Invoice?
GST Invoice is a kind of bill. If you buy any goods or take any service from somewhere, then the shopkeeper will give you a bill for that goods or service. This bill includes the name of the shopkeeper, product information, date of purchase, discount and many other information. If explained in simple language, then it shows what goods the shopkeeper has given to the customer, for how much money and how much tax is levied on it.
Many such cases are coming to light in which fake bills are being given to customers in the name of GST. According to market experts, some scam shopkeepers are showing VAT/TIN and Central Sales Tax number on their bills instead of GSTIN i.e. GST Identification Number and are charging Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and State Goods and Services Tax (SGST).
Let us tell you that, it is mandatory for any business to show GSTIN on the bills given to the customers. They cannot collect GST by just showing VAT, TIN or Service Tax registration number on the bill.
How to identify fake GST bill?
The easiest way to identify a fake GST bill is its GST number. The bill has a 15 digit GST number. The first two digits of this number are the state code and the remaining 10 digits are the PAN number of the supplier or shopkeeper. The 13th digit is the unit of the PAN holder and the 14th digit is Z and the last digit is the ‘checksum digit’.
There is another way to identify fake GST bills. You can also identify fake GST bills by following these steps given below.
- Step 1 – First of all you   have to visit the official website of GST https://www.gst.gov.in/ .
- Step 2 – After this select the option of ‘Search Taxpayer’.
- Step 3 – Then click on ‘Search by GSTIN’ to check the GSTIN number.
- Step 4 – Now you have to check the GSTIN number on the search box showing on the screen. If the GSTIN is correct, then you will get its details on the portal and if you do not get it, then understand that it is a fake number.
Where to complain about GST fraud?
If you ever receive a fake GST bill, you can lodge a complaint by visiting the official portal of GST. Apart from this, you  can  also register your complaint by emailing cbecmitra.heldesk@icegate.gov.in .
