Fraudulent input tax credit claims through bogus invoices prompted arrest over alleged invoicing without actual supply of goods.
Alleged fraudulent availment, utilisation and passing on of inadmissible input tax credit involved invoices from purported suppliers found to be non-existent, non-functional, suspended or cancelled. Input tax credit was allegedly claimed without actual receipt of goods and passed on through invoices unsupported by corresponding supplies. Following investigation and recorded statements, the proprietor of an iron and steel trading firm was arrested under statutory arrest powers, while further investigation remains in progress.

Merchant discount rate on eligible UPI payments places charges on merchants while preserving consumer protections and small merchant exemptions.
Merchant Discount Rate at 0.4 per cent will apply from October 15 to person-to-merchant UPI payments above Rs 2,000, payable by merchants and subject to a cap for high-value transactions. Individual transfers and most everyday merchant payments remain free, while eligible small QR-code merchants are exempt. Essential-service payments and capital-market transactions receive separate fee treatment, and a portion of MDR collections will support small-merchant UPI adoption.

GST-compliant festive planning helps apparel businesses protect input tax credit, manage price thresholds, inventory, cash flow and peak-season operations.
GST-sensitive festive planning for apparel businesses requires early procurement, phased inventory, supplier reorder commitments and separate stock strategies for the post-Diwali wedding season. Pricing and costing require assessment of the revised GST structure for readymade garments and GST-rate reductions affecting man-made fibres and yarns. Proper purchase documentation is important for protecting input tax credit during high-volume festive transactions. Cash-flow planning, credit limits, return policies, retail staffing, digital campaigns and weekly sell-through monitoring support replenishment and pricing decisions.

Authorised Economic Operator programme advances trusted trade through risk-based customs facilitation, streamlined EMI documentation, and stakeholder-led reforms.
India's Authorised Economic Operator Programme promotes voluntary compliance, supply-chain security, risk-based customs administration and predictable cross-border movement of goods. Compliant trade and logistics entities may receive simplified customs procedures and risk-based facilitation. Proposed process reforms include uniform operating procedures, applicant checklists, single-deficiency processing, time-bound applications, clearer financial-solvency requirements, and strengthened client relationship and validation arrangements. Documentation under the Eligible Manufacturer Importer Scheme has been reduced, supporting lower compliance burdens and a pathway towards higher AEO tiers.

Fraudulent input tax credit through bogus invoices prompted arrest following allegations of invoicing without actual supply of goods.
The investigation concerned alleged fraudulent availment and passing on of inadmissible input tax credit through bogus invoices. Multiple suppliers were identified as non-existent, non-functional, suspended or cancelled, while field verification indicated an absence of genuine business activity at certain declared premises. Input tax credit was allegedly availed without receipt of goods and passed on through invoices without corresponding supplies. Statements recorded during investigation led to the arrest of a firm partner under the CGST Act.

Bribery allegations in CGST redevelopment approvals lead to arrests following a trap involving an intermediary consultant.
Bribery allegations concerning CGST redevelopment approvals led to registration of a case against a CGST Superintendent and unknown persons. The Superintendent allegedly sought undue advantage for issuing a no-objection certificate and handing over CGST-owned flats. Following verification, a trap was laid after the complainant was allegedly directed to deliver cash to a CGST consultant. Both the Superintendent and consultant were arrested, produced before the competent court, and placed in police custody. Further investigation remains in progress.

Municipal salary arrears and GST grant demands prompted temporary strike suspension after payment and committee assurances.
Municipal employees temporarily suspended their strike after the administration committed to pay two months' pending salaries by September 15 and arrange clearance of remaining salary arrears within 30 days. The employees had sought payment of salary arrears, increased GST grants to the civic body, and release of the outstanding difference in GST grants. A committee is to pursue the pending GST grant proposals at the government level.

Biometric Aadhaar Authentication for GST Registration becomes mandatory to prevent fraudulent registrations using misused taxpayer identity credentials.
GST registration is impermissible without biometric-based Aadhaar authentication, addressing allegations of fraudulent registrations obtained through misuse of PAN and Aadhaar credentials. The requirement strengthens taxpayer identity verification in the GST registration process. Related issues include allegedly defamatory online posts, film release pending certification, sporting guidelines for women athletes returning after maternity, and the importance of an independent, ethical and fearless Bar to judicial independence.

Authorised Economic Operator reform drives trade submissions on trusted compliance, faceless examination and integrated customs systems improvements.
Authorised Economic Operator reform and customs-trade facilitation are addressed through an open-floor deliberation involving importers, exporters, terminal operators, customs brokers and surveyors. Practical submissions are to be consolidated into an Outcome Document for submission to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Focus areas include trust-based compliance, faceless examination, National E-Bond, transfer of ownership, Participating Government Agency routing through SWIFT 2.0, and Customs Integrated Systems 2.0. Related sessions address GST appellate dispute preparedness, free trade agreement services, maritime risk and customs reform implementation.

Comparable GST tax base governs revenue growth calculations, excluding discontinued compensation cess from year-on-year comparisons across different levy structures.
GST revenue growth must be calculated on a comparable tax base using the same levies for both periods. CBIC treats year-on-year growth based on Central GST, State GST and Integrated GST as the appropriate comparison and considers the inclusion of compensation cess from a different levy structure misleading. Compensation cess was discontinued except for tobacco and related products from 22 September 2025, with the remaining tobacco-related cess removed from 1 February 2026. Revenue tables separately display cess, while growth calculations use the corresponding GST tax base.

Appeals against NIL or Zero GST demand orders are enabled where taxpayers paid liabilities before issuance of the order.
GST Portal validation restricting appeals against demand orders showing NIL or Zero demand has been removed where a liability dispute exists and the taxpayer made payment before issuance of the demand order. Taxpayers may challenge such orders by filing an appeal in Form GST APL-01, and may raise a ticket with the GST Helpdesk if filing difficulties arise.

GST rationalisation for amusement park admissions could lower ticket prices, stimulate consumer demand, and support investment without input tax credit.
GST rationalisation for amusement park, water park and indoor entertainment admission tickets is sought through a flat 5% GST rate without Input Tax Credit. The proposed rate is intended to reduce ticket prices, improve affordability and increase customer demand in a capital-intensive tourism and entertainment sector. Many smaller and mid-sized operators report limited ability to offset GST liability through ITC. Lower taxation is projected to support facility expansion, revenue growth, new investment, employment and reinvestment in recreational services.

GST bribery allegations led to a trap operation against officials and an intermediary in a quarrying matter.
Criminal investigation concerns alleged solicitation and acceptance of an undue advantage by CGST officials in connection with settling a GST/royalty matter involving a stone-quarrying firm. The officials allegedly arranged for a private person to collect the payment. A trap operation resulted in the private person being caught while accepting the alleged undue advantage. Searches at the accused persons' premises led to recovery of cash and jewellery, while further investigation continues.

State GST collection growth outpaced national expansion during the first five months, alongside increased VAT and CST receipts.
Haryana's SGST collections increased by 29 per cent during April-August of financial year 2026-27, exceeding the national growth rate of 16 per cent. August 2026 post-settlement SGST revenue rose by 21 per cent, compared with national average growth of 13 per cent. Haryana accounted for less than 4 per cent of national GST taxpayers but contributed approximately 7.7 per cent of aggregate national SGST, CGST and IGST collections. VAT/CST collections rose by 13.8 per cent during the same period.

Technology-enabled tax compliance and enforcement supported higher commercial tax collections, while GST rate reductions moderated sectoral net GST growth.
Technology-enabled tax administration supported commercial tax and net GST collection growth in Andhra Pradesh during August 2026 and the cumulative period through August. AI-based analytics and scrutiny, IGST reversals, UPI-based enforcement, registration verification, Aadhaar authentication, digital payment enablement, predictive analytics and data sharing strengthened compliance, scrutiny and revenue mobilisation. Petroleum VAT, professional tax, liquor VAT and IGST settlement also increased, while GST rate reductions moderated net GST performance in specified product sectors.

GST revenue collections show higher gross and net receipts alongside increased refunds and state-level settlement data.
GST revenue collections for August 2026 recorded total gross GST revenue of Rs. 1,99,853 crore, reflecting 14.8% growth over August 2025. Total refunds were Rs. 31,795 crore, including domestic refunds and export IGST refunds processed through ICEGATE. After adjustment of refunds, total net GST revenue was Rs. 1,68,057 crore, representing 8.3% growth. SGST collections and the SGST component of IGST settlement were separately identified for States and Union Territories, with post-settlement SGST aggregating Rs. 95,531 crore.

Trade facilitation and customs preparedness feature in AILBIEA's Silver Jubilee knowledge conference on liquid bulk commerce.
AILBIEA's Silver Jubilee programme focuses on trade facilitation, customs modernisation, GST dispute preparedness and maritime-risk issues affecting liquid bulk trade. The Knowledge Conference includes sessions on the Authorised Economic Operator advantage, next-generation customs technology, GST Appellate Tribunal-era dispute preparedness, and geopolitical risks to sea-borne trade. It also marks the launch of AGS 360, integrating port information, vessel tracking, port-call estimates and maritime intelligence.

GST collection growth reflected higher domestic and import revenue, while increased refunds moderated net collections during August.
GST collections recorded year-on-year growth in August, with gross receipts reaching about Rs 2 lakh crore. Domestic transaction revenue increased to over Rs 1.37 lakh crore, while import-related revenue rose to Rs 62,604 crore. Refunds increased to Rs 31,795 crore, and net GST collections stood at Rs 1.68 lakh crore after refunds.

Input tax credit mismatch alone cannot support fraud-based GST demand without an assessing officer's recorded satisfaction of fraud or suppression.
Section 74 GST demand proceedings require the assessing officer's independent satisfaction of fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts. An input tax credit mismatch or alleged short payment alone cannot establish these conditions. Unsupported assertions of suppression for invoking extended limitation are insufficient, and audit objections cannot replace the assessing officer's satisfaction. A show cause-cum-demand notice lacking factual allegations of a deliberate device to evade tax or avail excess input tax credit is vulnerable.

Bogus input tax credit fraud investigation examines fabricated invoices, circular transactions, layered funds and alleged proceeds of crime.
Investigation into alleged bogus input tax credit fraud involved searches under the anti-money-laundering framework. The alleged scheme involved fabricated invoices and e-way bills without actual movement of goods, circular transactions, layered funds, cash withdrawals and bogus or non-existent entities. GST authorities identified fraudulent availment of input tax credit causing wrongful loss to the government exchequer. The investigation focused on tracing alleged proceeds of crime, identifying beneficiaries, and securing documentary and digital evidence.