Protecting Yourself from Fraudulent GST Registrations under Your PAN

Have you ever received a notification from the Income Tax department about advance tax not being paid, only to realize that someone has used your PAN to obtain a GST registration without your knowledge? This can happen to anyone who shares their personal details like PAN and Aadhaar with strangers. In fact, it is becoming increasingly common for fraudsters to use someone else’s documents to obtain a GST registration and undertake illegal transactions, leaving the legitimate taxpayer in trouble with authorities.

If you suspect that someone may have used your PAN to obtain a GST registration, it is important to take immediate action. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has a feature that allows taxpayers to search for the number of registrations under their PAN. To search for registrations under your PAN, go to the “Search Taxpayer” tab on the GSTN website and click on “Search by PAN”. If you find a registration that you have not taken, tick the “Report” box and proceed with the complaint process.

The complaint process involves verifying your identity through Aadhaar and declaring that the registrations against your PAN are incorrectly taken without your consent. The complaint will then be registered and investigated by the appropriate authority. It is important to attach a copy of the complaint application to inform the jurisdictional officer of the fraudulent registration. Such documentation will prove your innocence in case of any demands or investigations.

It is also recommended to check your transactions reported under TIS/AIS through the Income Tax portal regularly. This will help you to identify any transactions that you are not aware of and take immediate action. By taking these simple steps, you can protect yourself from fraudulent GST registrations under your PAN and avoid any unnecessary trouble with authorities.