Karan Sehgal
PANAJI
Come November 1, it will become really difficult for people to evade payment of Goods-and-Services-Tax (GST), as the State government is going to tighten its enforcement. The purpose of the drive is to find out those who are not paying GST and make them pay
tax and also penalty, as
applicable.
Dipak M Bandekar, Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, said, “Starting from November 1, every day, three teams each in North Goa and South Goa will work round the clock to tighten the enforcement of GST. Each team will comprise of 4-5 officers.”
In the last few months, the GST compliance has fallen in the State, which has been a matter of concern to the government. Bandekar informed that GST compliance dropped to 59% in September from 67% in August.
This means that of 100 people, who should have been paying GST, only 59 have paid so far for September. The timing of enforcement drive also assumes significance because economic activity picks up pace in the State from November with the advent of tourism season.
From November to March, much higher trade happens in Goa than in other months. Therefore, it makes sense for the government to figure out those, who are not complying with GST.
Bandekar added, “Our teams will check e-way bills and invoices to ascertain whether appropriate GST has been paid or not.”
Pan-India, GST compliance has been a major concern even for the Central government. If the State government’s enforcement drive ends up being successful, it will help the government by boosting the tax revenue.
