Biometric Aadhaar Authentication enabled for GST registration applicants; appointment booking directs applicants to GST Suvidha Kendras for verification.
After submission of Form GST REG-01 applicants will receive either an OTP-based Aadhaar Authentication link or a link to book an appointment at a designated GST Suvidha Kendra for Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication and document verification. Applicants who book must attend the GSK with the appointment confirmation, jurisdiction details, original Aadhaar and PAN, and the original documents uploaded with the application. Biometric authentication and document verification will be completed for all required individuals, and ARNs will be generated only after those processes are successfully completed.

Reverse charge mechanism reporting: new statement requires matching RCM liability and ITC reporting and opening balance reconciliation.
A new RCM Liability/ITC Statement on the GST Portal requires reporting of RCM liabilities from Table 3.1(d) of GSTR-3B and corresponding ITC from Table 4A(2) and 4A(3) of GSTR-3B for each return period. Taxpayers must report an opening balance reflecting excess paid liability (positive) or excess claimed ITC (negative). RCM ITC reversals previously recorded in Table 4(B)2 may be reclaimed only through Table 4A(5) and are not to be included in the opening balance. Deadlines and a limited amendment window for declaring and rectifying opening balances are prescribed.

Bank account requirement blocks GSTR-1 and IFF filing until taxpayers add valid account details in their GST registration.
A bank account requirement mandates taxpayers to furnish a valid bank account in GST registration before submitting outward supply details in FORM GSTR-1 or via the Invoice Furnishing Facility; failure to add such details will prevent filing GSTR-1 or IFF from the August 2024 return period, and taxpayers must amend registration via Services > Registration > Amendment of Registration > Non Core Fields on the GST Portal.

Tax compliance innovation through predictive analytics: GSTN launches a 45 day hackathon for Indian academics and professionals.
GSTN is launching a 45 day GST Analytics Hackathon inviting Indian nationals affiliated with academic institutions or business organisations to develop predictive-analytics prototypes for a GST analytics framework using provided data sets and competition guidelines. Eligible participants must register via the official event portal, submit reproducible prototype solutions within the event window, and will be evaluated for multiple prizes including a special award for the best all women team.

Fake registration enforcement: coordinated drive targets fraudulent GST registrants and masterminds with tech-enabled tracking and interagency coordination.
A coordinated two month special drive by Central and State GST formations targets fake registrations and contrived Input Tax Credit schemes using risk based identification, technological support from GSTN, and interagency verification to apprehend masterminds and beneficiaries. The initiative prioritises substantive evasion over interpretative disputes, seeks to balance enforcement with ease of doing business, and promotes case tracking, uniform best practices, and a proposed national register for real time enforcement information sharing.

TCS rate change: reduced rate applies from mid July; taxpayers must update systems and ensure correct GSTR 8 reporting.
The advisory notifies a reduction in the TCS rate effective from 10 July 2024 and instructs taxpayers to collect and report TCS at the rate applicable to the transaction date; transactions before that date remain subject to the prior rate. Taxpayers must update systems and processes to apply the revised rate for transactions on or after the effective date. GSTN will implement system changes to address GSTR 8 validation errors and expects filing to resume from 6 August 2024 midnight.

GST revenue collections published: approved monthly gross and net data released online for public access.
GST revenue collections for the month of July 2024 have been published as approved monthly data presenting both gross and net receipts, with a direct link to the PDF providing the detailed figures and dataset for public access.

Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication now required for GST registration applicants; appointment-based GSK verification and document checks follow.
The Rule 8 amendment enables identification via data analysis and risk parameters using Biometric-based Aadhaar Authentication, photograph capture and original document verification; after filing Form GST REG-01 applicants receive either an OTP-based Aadhaar authentication link or a link to book an appointment at a designated GST Suvidha Kendra for biometric authentication and document verification, with ARNs generated after completion of biometric authentication and verification.

Optional correction window GSTR-1A lets taxpayers amend outward supplies before filing the corresponding GSTR-3B return.
Form GSTR-1A is an optional correction facility for taxpayers to add, amend or rectify particulars of outward supplies reported or missed in the current tax period's GSTR-1, usable only before filing the corresponding GSTR-3B; it opens after filing GSTR-1 or after the due date for GSTR-1, whichever is later.