How to Report a Fake GSTIN Number?
There have been reports of fake GST number registrations in recent months. This is found to be performed by obtaining a GST registration using another person’s identification. Through such a GST Registration, the impostor conducts illegal business and acquires GST through made-up transactions.
Authorities frequently pursue the person whose documents were used to obtain GST Registration when they take action against such schemes, allowing the primary offender to escape. To solve this ongoing problem, the Goods and Services Network has added functionality to check PAN usage. The new technology supports officials in investigating and cancelling such GST registrations and detecting and preventing fraud.
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What is GSTIN?
The GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is a unique 15-digit identification number assigned to businesses registered under GST in India. It allows businesses to collect GST from customers and claim tax credits on their purchases. The GSTIN is essential for legal compliance and simplifies tax administration, making it easier for the government to track and regulate business activities. This number is linked to each business’s PAN (Permanent Account Number) and includes state-specific codes, ensuring that tax details are tracked accurately across different regions.
Why is it necessary to verify the GST Number?
Verifying a GST Number ensures that a business is registered under GST and compliant with tax regulations. It helps avoid fraudulent transactions, as it confirms the legitimacy of a business. Unverified GSTINs may lead to risks like dealing with fake invoices, losing input tax credits, and facing legal penalties. By verifying GST numbers, businesses safeguard themselves against financial losses, improve trust with customers, and maintain transparency in their tax practices. Many online tools and government portals make it simple to check and confirm a GSTIN’s authenticity.
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GST Identification Number Format
The GSTIN follows a structured 15-digit format. The first two digits represent the state code, indicating the state where the business is registered. The next ten digits are the business’s PAN number, linking the GSTIN to the owner’s tax identity. The 13th digit indicates the number of registrations the entity has in a particular state. The 14th digit is typically a default character, while the final digit is a check code for error detection. This format ensures each GSTIN is unique and traceable, simplifying identification and verification.
How to Verify a GSTIN Number?
Verifying a GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is essential to ensure that you’re dealing with a legitimate and compliant business entity. You can verify any GSTIN online using these simple steps:
- Visit the Official GST Portal: Go to www.gst.gov.in.
- Navigate to ‘Search Taxpayer’: On the homepage, under the “Search” tab, click on Search by GSTIN/UIN.
- Enter the GSTIN: Type the 15-digit GSTIN you want to verify.
- Solve the Captcha and click on Search.
If valid, the portal will show:
- Legal name and trade name of the business
- GST registration status (Active/Inactive)
- Nature of business (Regular, Composition, etc.)
- Type of taxpayer and place of business
This tool helps confirm whether a supplier or customer is genuinely registered under GST.
Common Red Flags That Indicate a Fake GSTIN
Identifying a fake GSTIN is critical to avoid non-compliance or fraud. Watch out for these warning signs:
- Incorrect Format: A valid GSTIN is always 15 characters long (State Code + PAN + Entity Code + Z + Check Code). Any deviation in length or pattern is suspicious.
- Mismatch with PAN or State Code: The embedded PAN should match the business owner’s PAN, and the first two digits must reflect the correct state code.
- Inactive GSTIN on GST portal: If the portal shows the GSTIN as inactive or cancelled, it should not be used.
- No E-Way Bills or GST returns: A supplier unable to generate e-Way Bills or show proper return filings might be using a fake or invalid GSTIN.
- Incorrect name or address: If the name and address shown on invoices don’t match what appears during GST verification, it’s a red flag.
Always verify a new vendor’s GSTIN before entering any transaction.
How to Report a Fake GSTIN?
The GSTN now has a feature that enables you to check the number of registrations associated with a taxpayer’s PAN. If you discover unauthorised registrations that the taxpayer has not acknowledged, you may immediately file a GSTN complaint. The steps for filing a complaint are listed below:
- Go to the GST portal, select the taxpayer search option, and then select the PAN search option to get started.
- After entering your PAN credentials, a list of all your registrations will appear. A list of GSTINs, both active and inactive, together with their registration status, will be displayed on the page.
- On the right side of the page, there is a list of GSTINs. Verify your ownership of each one and look for any erroneous registrations on the list that you might not have taken. Such registrations are false; thus, you must take action to stop them before they can be used to conduct fraudulent transactions;
- Select the Check box next to Report, then click the Report button.
- When you click Report, a pop-up will appear with the legal name according to PAN auto-populated in the case of individual PANs; this prevents GSTINs from being reported that have not been correctly transitioned from old law to GST.
- In addition to basic details like their residence and date of birth, the complaint must supply an email address and a mobile number for verification. If a complainant’s GSTIN is registered under a category other than the proprietor, they must give extra personal information.
- To complete the verification, provide the OTP you received on your registered mobile number and mail ID;
- After verification, you must complete e-KYC using your Aadhaar and provide GSTN with permission to authenticate you with UIDAI. This permission is declared to include your name and Aadhaar number. GSTN would use the identification information to report fictitious GST registrations obtained through the PAN; otherwise, it will be kept confidential. It will be sent to the Central Identities Data Repository to submit a report.
- If you submit your Aadhaar number, you will be sent an OTP. If you enter the OTP, the second authentication process will be completed. Then simply click OK to finish.
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What Happens After Filing a Complaint?
The appropriate authorities will access the complaints once they are submitted on their dashboard on the “Application for Reporting Fake GSTINs” page for further action.
The competent jurisdictional authority where the registration is alleged to have been obtained fraudulently will receive the complaint after it has been lodged and take appropriate action.
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Legal Consequences of Using or Accepting a Fake GSTIN
Using or accepting a fake GSTIN—knowingly or unknowingly—can result in serious legal penalties under GST law:
- Penalty for Fraudulent Claim of ITC: Availing Input Tax Credit based on invoices from fake GSTINs can lead to a 100% penalty and reversal of credit.
- Prosecution and Jail: Fraud involving fake GSTINs or fake invoices above ₹5 crore can attract imprisonment up to 5 years.
- Cancellation of GST Registration: Repeated transactions with bogus suppliers may result in the suspension or cancellation of your own GSTIN.
- Loss of Business Reputation: If caught in a fake GSTIN network, your business may be blacklisted, affecting your credibility.
To avoid legal complications, make GSTIN verification a routine part of your vendor onboarding and invoicing process.
How can you Prevent Misuse of PAN?
Your organisation could suffer financial losses if your PAN is misused. We’ve compiled a set of advice to help you avoid PAN misuse to prevent this:
- Never reveal your PAN Card to anyone besides a reputable and reliable CA.
- Share your PAN card details only when necessary and never while conducting regular transactions.
- Never use free online tools to store sensitive papers or information.
- Never share such private details online.
- When submitting documents, remember to sign them and date them. Record the places you’ve delivered physical copies of your PAN card.
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As a Chartered Accountant with over 12 years of experience, I am not only skilled in my profession but also passionate about writing. I specialize in producing insightful content on topics like GST, accounts payable, and income tax, confidently delivering valuable information that engages and informs my audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the common signs of a fake GSTIN?Fake GSTINs may have incorrect formats, inactive statuses on the GST portal, or mismatch with the business name. Verifying online can confirm authenticity.
- How can you verify a GSTIN before making a transaction?To verify a GSTIN, visit the official GST portal, enter the GSTIN, and confirm the business details match those provided by the vendor.
- Are there tools available to track suspicious GST transactions?Yes, government portals and GST-compliant software often have tools to track and flag unusual transactions, helping detect fraud.
- How to report fake GSTIN?To report a fake GSTIN, contact the GST department through their helpline, email, or local GST office. Provide necessary evidence for quicker action.
- How to identify a fake GST invoice?Check for errors in GSTIN format, incorrect rates, or discrepancies in vendor details. Verify the vendor’s GSTIN on the official GST portal for added assurance.
