All of you might be aware that now instead of VAT, GST is the norm in all our shopping bills. However, there may be few instances where shops or hotels may use fake GST Bill or GST number and may dupe you. Hence, let us understand how to identify or verify fake GST Bill and GST number.
We usually go for shopping. Do the shopping and get the bill for the same. But whether you cross checked the GST rate which is collected from you? Also, whether you cross check the genuineness of GSTIN?
As per the rule, shops or restaurants which not registered under GST must not be eligible for a collection of GST tax. However, few shops and restaurants not registered their business under GST regime (may be due to their less business or to avoid taxation issue). But generating GST Bill and collecting the money from customers.
Following the below process, you can verify the verify fake GST Bill and GST number. Before proceeding further, let us understand the basics about GST number or GSTIN (Refer old post:-All about 15 digit GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) format).
GSTIN is a 15 digit unique code which is will be assigned to each taxpayer, which will be State-wise and PAN-based. The structure or format of 15 digit GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) will look like below.
First two Digits-The first digit of GSTIN is state code as per Indian Census 2011. The state codes are as below.
01-Jammu and Kashmir, 02-Himachal Pradesh, 03-Punjab, 04-Chandigarh, 05-Uttarakhand, 06-Haryana, 07-Delhi, 08-Rajastan, 09-UP, 10-Bihar, 11-Sikkim, 12-Arunachal Pradesh, 13-Nagaland, 14-Manipur, 15-Mizoram, 16-Tripura, 17-Meghalaya, 18-Assam, 19-West Bengal, 20-Jharkhand, 21-Orrissa, 22-Chattisgarh, 23-MP, 24-Gujarat, 25-Daman and Diu, 26-Dadar and Nagar Haveli, 27-Maharashtra, 28-Andhra Pradesh, 29-Karnataka, 30-Goa, 31-Lakshadweep, 32-Kerala, 33-Tamil Nadu, 34-Puducherry and 35-Anadaman and Nicobar Islands.
Next 10 Digits-It is the PAN number of a business entity like your shop, mall or company.
13th Digit-It indicates the number of registrations as a business entity has within a state for the same PAN. It will be an alpha-numeric number (first 1-9 and then A-Z) and will be assigned on the basis of the number of registrations a legal entity (having the same PAN) has within one state.
Let say the company ABC registered in the same state for 5 times for different businesses. In such case, this digit will be printed as 5. Let us assume, the same company registered for around 15 times, then it should be represented as F (1-9 numeric and later on 10th registration be named as A and 11th as B and so on up to Z).
Hence, a business entity can register the GSTIN within a single state for the maximum of 35 times (1-9 and later on A-Z).
14th Digit-It will be by default as Z.
15th Digit-The last digit will be a check code which will be used for detection of errors.
Now let us understand the process of identifying or verify fake GST Bill and GST number.
It is easy to check. The business entity should print the GST Bill which also includes GSTIN and the tax rate should be as per GST slabs. Take the example of below bill. See the difference between earlier Bills (where VAT was in use and TIN number used to be mentioned) and the current bill under GST regime.
Yesterday one of my blog readers shared this link to verify the genuineness of GST number of GSTIN.
Go to the said link and you will find the below screen.
Once you checked the GST bill and the genuineness of the GST number or GSTIn, then cross check the GST rates applicable to the goods and service you purchased.
If you are familiar with rates, then it is fine. Otherwise, you can check it by visiting the GST Rates by visiting this LINK of Central Board of Excise and Customs.
After going through all above process, if you found the bill, GST number or the rate taxed to you are fake or not in right format, then raise the complaint by using below contacting modes.
Email : helpdesk@gst.gov.in
Phone: 0120-4888999, 011-23370115
Twitter: @askGST_Goi, @FinMinIndia
Hope this information will be helpful for all of you.
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View Comments
Hi Sir, I was faced one issue with one of the restaurant in my area.
They mentioned one GST no in their bill and collected cgst, sgst -2.5%. But it not registered with the restaurant name , it was registered on another name that is registered on INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE SERVICE and COMMERCIAL TRAINING & COACHING.
Is this correct method or not?
Dear Vali,
It is wrong.
Actually we are receiving bills of implants ia printed proforma in which GST number, name address of seller is everything printed but the amount and details of the implant and GST deduction are written by hand. GST number and all has been verified but there is a possibility that the seller might be having the GST number registered but he have printed the proforma and issuing the invoice and the same GST might not have been deposited in GST account else he would have issued online generated invoice. How can we schek such type of invoice as multiple invoices we are receiving and in such cases there is a possibility that he may give back dated invoice too. so please guide how it can checked . whether by asking for GST challan from the seller we can verify it or by any other means because our is a bill settling unit and chances of fake invoice cannot be ruled out.
Dear Zafar,
It is hard to check (as per me).
Sir, I staied in a hotel for 3 days and it was a GST transection. However hotel is not provided GST bill against the subject transection. After many phone calls, they provided the certificate without signature. Afterwards they didn't pick my phone call also.
Is that certificate valid??? If that is not valid, how can I proceed further????
Dear karthik,
I doubt.
Hi Sir,
I have team of 15 sales person ,
They always submit the genuine food bills with valid GST no ( KFC, other GSTIN registered Restaurant )but I am suspecting the bill no and bill amount claimed.
Is there any way out if want to check that the bill is fake or genuine..
Dear Kush,
Cross check with the issuer of the bill.
Sir..
I have been issued a bill with a valid registered GST number but I strongly suspect that the bill amount is fake...on searching the portal the GST IS VALID BUT THE PORTAL DOESNT SHOW RETURN FILED OF MARCH 2018..THE MONTH IN WHICH BILL WAS ISSUED..IS THAT BILL FAKE?? Any way to check validity??
Dear Navreet,
Sadly there is no such portal where you can cross check that particular person or company filed proper IT returns or not.
Dear basava raj ji..the portal shows gst returns of that company after may 2018 but the bill was issued in Feb 2018..does that not prove that the bill z fake...
Dear Navreet,
YES. In that case you can complain against company with IT Dept.
sir i have bought mobile phone in my name with gst paid and sold to another client now client want bill in his own name can i make same bill with that client name my number 9321550255.
Dear Dhanesh,
If you are not the GST registered individual, then how can you create a bill?
one who registered as works contractor, but he supplies cement and broken stone as per his bill . in which he collected gst. Is it allowed
Dear Moosa,
I think nature of business not a big concern as long as he is doing it with valid transactions.
Hello Sir,
I bought a new house in Hyderabad and i paid GST Rs 300000 and he gave tax invoice which is mentioned Tax invoice no, GSTIN and My flat no 401. I want to check the status weather he really paid GST on my name and flat no 401(which includes my name). Please Suggest
Dear Raju,
As per my knowledge, it is not possible.
Dear sir,
I need your help again I got my GSTIN and changed username, password etc and on 14 April we found that my current account was in my name not my shop the bank manager apologise and told us that it was his mistake, is there any way to change our current account number in GSTIN or shall I cancel my gstin and apply new one? (transaction cannot be made through my current account as gstin we closed account and create new current account in my shop name
Anthony-I am not an expert in that. Better to consult the IT Dept Helpdesk.
Telangana State code is 36 not added in the list...please make a correction
Naveen-Thanks for you sharing.