Rated 4.9/5 by 312+ Chennai clientsZero penalty record across all filings24-hour response · WhatsApp-first supportOffices: Maduravoyal, Nerkundram & Nolambur (upcoming)15+ years of expert tax & compliance consulting500+ active clients across 243 Chennai areasRated 4.9/5 by 312+ Chennai clientsZero penalty record across all filings24-hour response · WhatsApp-first supportOffices: Maduravoyal, Nerkundram & Nolambur (upcoming)15+ years of expert tax & compliance consulting500+ active clients across 243 Chennai areas
Chennai North · Sowcarpet Division · George Town GST Audit Support

George Town GST Audit Support for wholesale Businesses

GST Audit Support cadence for George Town firms near Parrys Bus Terminus — and a zero-penalty filing record

for George Town units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance with on-time portal submission and full statutory reconciliation. Call 9566-068-468.

4.9
312+ Reviews
15+ Years
Zero Penalties
500+ Clients
Quick Answer

What are the types of GST audit under the CGST Act in George Town, Chennai?

There are three categories. First, departmental audit under Section 65 conducted by the Commissioner or an authorised officer at the registered person's place of business. Second, special audit under Section 66 ordered by an Assistant Commissioner (with prior approval) and conducted by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant nominated by the Commissioner. Third, self-certified reconciliation through GSTR-9C which a registered person above ₹5 crore aggregate turnover files alongside GSTR-9 from FY 2020-21 onwards.

Transparent Pricing

GST Audit Support in George Town — Plans & Pricing

Fixed fees · Zero hidden charges · Call 9566-068-468 for a custom quote.

MonthlyAnnualSave 2 Months
Nill
Basic ADT-01 documentation
₹5,000/per engagement

  • ADT-01 Notice Review
  • Audit Document Checklist
  • Records Compilation Support (12 months)
  • GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B Reconciliation
  • On-site Audit Representation
  • ADT-02 Reply Drafting
  • Audit Period Coverage: 1 financial year
  • Reconciliation Depth: Summary level
  • WhatsApp Document Support
  • GST Advisory Calls
  • Section 66 Special Audit Handling
  • Section 107 Appeal Filing
Starter
On-site audit support 1 day
₹15,000/per engagement

  • ADT-01 Notice Review
  • Audit Document Checklist
  • Records Compilation Support (12 months)
  • GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B Reconciliation
  • On-site Audit Representation (1 day)
  • ADT-02 Reply Drafting
  • Audit Period Coverage: 1 financial year
  • Reconciliation Depth: Line-item
  • WhatsApp Document Support
  • GST Advisory Calls (1 session)
  • Section 66 Special Audit Handling
  • Section 107 Appeal Filing
Most Popular ⭐
Professional
Full audit representation + ADT-02 reply
₹35,000/per engagement

  • ADT-01 Notice Review
  • Audit Document Checklist
  • Records Compilation Support (up to 5 years)
  • GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B vs Books Reconciliation
  • On-site Audit Representation (full audit)
  • ADT-02 Findings Reply
  • Table 8 GSTR-9 ITC Reconciliation
  • Section 17(5) Workings
  • RCM Register Reconstruction
  • DRC-03 Closure Filing
  • Audit Period Coverage: Up to 5 financial years
  • Reconciliation Depth: Line-item with documentary backup
  • WhatsApp Document Support
  • GST Advisory Calls (Unlimited)
  • Section 66 Special Audit Handling
  • Section 107 Appeal Filing
Premium
Section 66 special audit + Section 107 appeal
₹85,000/per engagement

  • ADT-01 Notice Review
  • Audit Document Checklist
  • Records Compilation Support (up to 6 years)
  • GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B vs Books Reconciliation
  • On-site Audit Representation (full audit)
  • ADT-02 Findings Reply
  • Table 8 GSTR-9 ITC Reconciliation
  • Section 17(5) Workings
  • RCM Register Reconstruction
  • DRC-03 Closure Filing
  • Section 66 Special Audit Coordination with Nominated CA
  • DRC-01 SCN Reply (Section 73/74)
  • Section 107 First Appeal Filing with 10% Pre-deposit
  • Personal Hearing Representation
  • Audit Period Coverage: Up to 6 financial years
  • Reconciliation Depth: Litigation-grade with case-law backing
  • WhatsApp Document Support
  • GST Advisory Calls (Unlimited)
  • Dedicated Audit Manager
  • Priority 24-Hour Support

Swipe to see all plans

Prices exclude GST. For enterprise pricing, call 9566-068-468.

Why FilingPro?

Why George Town Clients Choose FilingPro

Expert GST Audit Support in George Town — qualified professionals, 15+ years experience, zero-penalty track record.

Section 17(5) Workings Pre-Disclosed

Motor vehicles for personal use, food and beverages, club memberships, works contract for immovable property and goods/services for personal use — all Section 17(5) blocked credits flagged and reversed in returns proactively.

RCM Register Reconstruction

Reverse charge on advocate fees, GTA, security services and director payments — register reconstructed for the audit period with cash payment evidence and ITC claim entries.

E-Invoice IRN Logs Reconciled

For George Town businesses above ₹5 crore AATO, IRN logs from the Invoice Registration Portal reconciled to GSTR-1 monthly — establishing compliance with mandatory e-invoicing from 1-Aug-2023.

ADT-02 Findings Replied With Case-Law

Where audit team proposes ITC reversal on supplier-default grounds or audit jurisdiction is exercised without proper notice, ADT-02 reply cites the Madras High Court rulings to defend the taxpayer's position.

DRC-03 Voluntary Closure

Where findings are accepted, voluntary payment via DRC-03 with reference to the audit ARN gets ADT-04 closure issued — no DRC-01 SCN under Section 73 or 74, no penalty escalation.

Section 66 Special Audit Coordination

Where Section 66 special audit is ordered via ADT-03, FilingPro liaises with the nominated CA, ensures full record access and tracks the 90-day report timeline (extendable by 90 days under Section 66(2)).

Key Benefits

What George Town Clients Get

Every GST Audit Support engagement delivers measurable, guaranteed outcomes — expert professionals, on time, every time.

Audit Closed Without Demand
Where findings are minor and accepted, voluntary payment via DRC-03 closes the audit at ADT-04 stage. George Town clients avoid DRC-01 SCN, Section 73/74 adjudication and penalty escalation.
ITC Defended Against Supplier Default
ITC questioned solely because the supplier did not pay tax to the exchequer is defended with Section 16 compliance evidence and Madras HC precedent — credits retained without reversal.
Table 8 Mismatch Demand Avoided
Table 8 of GSTR-9 — historically the most-litigated audit finding — prepared with line-item backup so audit team has no basis to propose ITC reversal under Rule 36(4) or Section 16(2)(aa).
RCM Demand Pre-Empted
Reverse charge on advocate fees, GTA and director payments — paid in cash, ITC reclaimed in same period, fully documented. George Town clients face no surprise RCM demand at audit stage.
E-Way Bill Compliance Demonstrated
For consignments above ₹50000, e-way bill register with vehicle number and route details produced — Rule 138 compliance evidenced; no penalty under Section 122(1)(xiv) for non-issuance.
Section 17(5) Reversals Pre-Booked
Blocked credits — motor vehicles for personal use, food and beverages, club memberships, works contract for immovable property — identified and reversed in monthly GSTR-3B itself. No audit reversal demand.
Comparison

Section 65 (Departmental) vs Section 66 (Special)

Why this matters here — In George Town, the business activity radiating outward from Parry's Corner and nearby commercial pockets; with quick access via Parrys Bus Terminus and feeder routes connecting George Town to the rest of Chennai.

AspectSection 65 (Departmental)Section 66 (Special)
Operative provisionSub-section (1) of Section 65 of the CGST Act 2017 read with Rule 101 of the CGST RulesSub-section (1) of Section 66 of the CGST Act 2017 read with Rule 102 of the CGST Rules
Authority who orders the auditCommissioner or any officer empowered by general or specific authorisation drives the audit through internal departmental staffOfficer ranked Assistant Commissioner or above, on the Commissioner's prior approval, directs an externally nominated professional
Person who conducts the examinationDepartmental proper officer either visits the registered place or summons books to the officeAn external professional, drawn from the CA or CMA pool and nominated by the Commissioner, examines records for the department
Triggering preconditionSelection on risk parameters; no satisfaction of mis-declaration is required to commenceOpinion that value declared is not correct or credit availed is not within normal limits, recorded with reasons
Initiating form and notice windowForm ADT-01 served at least fifteen working days before commencement per Rule 101(2)Form ADT-03 issued as a direction; no fifteen-day buffer is prescribed since the audit is by a nominated professional
Time limit to completeThree months from commencement, extendable by six months by the Commissioner for reasons recorded in writingNinety days for submission of report by the nominated professional, extendable by another ninety days on application
Stage at which the engagement beginsAny time during the record-retention window under Section 36, generally any complete financial yearAt any stage of scrutiny, enquiry, investigation or any other proceeding under the Act per Section 66(1)
Concluding instrumentForm ADT-02 records findings; demand if any follows separately through DRC-01 under Section 73 or Section 74Form ADT-04 records the nominated auditor's report; subsequent action proceeds under Section 73 or Section 74 as appropriate
Bar on a second audit of the same periodDepartmental audit does not preclude action under other provisions; fresh material is generally needed to revisitSpecial audit may be ordered even where Section 65 audit was earlier conducted on the same period
Who bears the audit costCost is borne by the department; no professional fee burden falls on the registered personExpenses including remuneration of the nominated professional are determined and paid by the Commissioner under Section 66(5)
Permissible defence themesReconciliation completeness, supplier-side bona fide credit per Suncraft Energy, jurisdictional discipline on procedural lapsesChallenge to recorded satisfaction of mis-declaration, opportunity of hearing under Section 66(3), Kranti Associates speaking-order standard
Onward escalation pathwayADT-02 findings, if disputed, mature into DRC-01 then DRC-07; first appeal lies under Section 107 with ten per cent pre-depositADT-04 report feeds into Section 73 or 74 proceedings; final order is appealable under Section 107 on the same pre-deposit basis
Documents Required

Documents for GST Audit Support

Share documents via WhatsApp to 9566-068-468. No office visit required for George Town clients.

12 months of GSTR-1 GSTR-3B and GSTR-9 returns for the audit period
Audited financial statements with Schedule III balance sheet and P&L
ITC ledger with Section 17(5) blocked-credit reversals and Table 8 GSTR-9 working
E-invoice IRN logs reconciled with GSTR-1 (for AATO above ₹5 crore)
E-way bill register for consignments above ₹50000 with vehicle and route details
RCM register — advocate fees GTA security director payments cash-paid and ITC-claimed
Ready to Get Started?
WhatsApp your documents to 9566-068-468 — our team begins within 24 hours. No office visit needed.
Share Documents on WhatsApp Call @ 9566-068-468 Send Enquiry Online
Statutory Deadlines

Compliance deadlines that matter

Miss any of these and the next consequence kicks in automatically.

Deadlines in this neighbourhood — In George Town, George Town businesses in the wholesale arm find that high-volume wholesalers face GSTR-2B ITC mismatch notices ASMT-10 turnover variance enquiries and frequent e-way bill exceptions; the cluster of wholesale, hardware, books businesses that defines George Town's commercial fabric.

Trigger eventDaysFormConsequence
Receipt of audit intimation in Form GST ADT-01 from the proper officer15 daysRecords preparation and place-of-business readinessAudit commences at the place of business or office of proper officer with or without taxpayer-side preparation; observations under Rule 101(4) may proceed on incomplete records
Date of commencement of audit under Explanation to Section 65(4)90 daysAudit completion by proper officerAudit must be completed within ninety days; extension up to six months by Commissioner-recorded order is the only safety valve
Conclusion of audit by the proper officer30 daysGST ADT-02 (findings communication)Proper officer must communicate findings, rights and obligations and reasons within thirty days; non-compliance vitiates the closure step
Service of ADT-01 by the proper officer15 daysRecords production at registered placeAudit commences on the date specified after the fifteen working day minimum notice; non-availability of records can trigger Section 122 proceedings for failure to maintain.
Direction for special audit by Commissioner90 daysADT-03 and audit reportNominated chartered accountant or cost accountant to submit the special audit report within ninety days extendable by another ninety days for sufficient cause shown by the auditor or the registered person.
Suo motu rectification request post ADT-0290 daysWritten request to proper officerSection 161 rectification window for any apparent error in audit findings; lapses ninety days from issuance of the document
Aggregate turnover crosses five crore rupees during the financial year275 daysGSTR-9C reconciliation statementSelf-certified reconciliation statement must be filed along with annual return by 31 December of the year following the financial year
Joint Commissioner approval recorded for invoking Section 66 special auditOn due dateADT-03 directionDirection issued in ADT-03 must be served on the registered person before nominee auditor commences work

Deadline pressure points we see in George Town: For George Town engagements specifically — supporting the loader-trader-broker ecosystem that operates from sunrise to late-evening shifts here; for George Town units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

Forms Library

Forms used in this engagement

Forms most asked about here — In George Town, where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure; supporting the loader-trader-broker ecosystem that operates from sunrise to late-evening shifts here.

GSTR-3BSummary return

Monthly summary return capturing output tax, ITC availed and net tax payable — frequently the focus of audit observations on Table 4 ITC and Table 3 outward supply mismatches

20th / 22nd / 24th of the next month based on State and turnover slab Common Portal (taxpayer)
GST ADT-01Notice for conduct of audit

Statutory notice issued by the proper officer informing the registered person of the institution of audit under Section 65; carries the period of audit, place, date and the records to be made available

Not less than fifteen working days prior to conduct of audit Jurisdictional proper officer not below the rank prescribed
GST ADT-02Audit report under Section 65

Communication by the proper officer to the registered person of the findings of audit, rights and obligations and reasons for the findings; the formal closure document of departmental audit

Within thirty days of conclusion of audit Jurisdictional proper officer (officer-issued)
GST ADT-03Direction for special audit

Direction issued by the proper officer, with prior approval of the Commissioner, to the registered person to get his records examined and audited by a chartered accountant or cost accountant nominated by the Commissioner

Issued during scrutiny, inquiry, investigation or other proceedings at any stage Officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner with Commissioner approval
GST ADT-04Communication of findings of special audit

Communication by the proper officer to the registered person of the findings of the special audit conducted under Section 66; carries the nominee auditor's observations and the officer's view

After receipt of special audit report from nominee auditor Jurisdictional proper officer (officer-issued)
GSTR-9Annual return

Consolidated annual return capturing outward and inward supplies, ITC availed and reversed, taxes paid and demands/refunds; the primary statutory return on which audit observations are anchored

On or before 31 December of the year following the financial year Common Portal (taxpayer)
GSTR-9CReconciliation statement

Self-certified reconciliation between the value of supplies declared in the annual return and the audited annual financial statement, along with reconciliation of tax paid and ITC

Filed along with GSTR-9 by 31 December of the year following the financial year, where turnover exceeds five crore rupees Common Portal (self-certified by registered person)
DRC-01AIntimation of tax ascertained as payable

Pre-show-cause-notice intimation by the proper officer of tax ascertained as payable on the basis of audit observations; carries Part A with officer's quantification and Part B for registered person's reply

Issued before formal SCN under Section 73 or 74; reply within the time allowed Jurisdictional proper officer (officer-issued, taxpayer responds Part B)

GST Audit Support in George Town, Chennai 600001

Businesses registered in George Town share the Chennai North jurisdiction, and their statutory matters route through the same Sowcarpet Division each time. Statutory correspondence for George Town businesses routes through the Sowcarpet Division, so we align every GST Audit Support engagement to that jurisdiction from the start. George Town (PIN 600001) falls under the Sowcarpet Division of the Chennai North, the jurisdiction that handles statutory matters for businesses at this PIN. Because PIN 600001 sits inside the Chennai North jurisdiction, the handling office for George Town stays consistent across years, which matters when filings or approvals span cycles.

The businesses clustered around NSC Bose Road in George Town drive the bulk of the GST Audit Support workload we see each cycle. Freight and foot traffic from the Parrys Bus Terminus hub pull steady daily commerce through George Town, so there is rarely a quiet filing month in this wholesale heart of tamil nadu pocket. George Town sustains a very high flow of commerce for a wholesale heart of tamil nadu locality, and that flow is the raw material for the GST Audit Support files we close here. The wholesale heart of tamil nadu mix of George Town shapes what lands in our workpapers — a blend of wholesale activity and the commercial pulse around NSC Bose Road.

For a spices business in George Town, the GST Audit Support scope is rarely generic; we tailor the checklist to how that sector actually transacts. We have closed enough GST Audit Support files for spices firms near George Town to know where the department usually probes. GST Audit Support for spices businesses in George Town hinges on getting the sector's recurring entries right the first time. Mixed spices activity across George Town means our GST Audit Support team keeps sector playbooks ready rather than improvising per client.

Document intake for George Town clients runs over WhatsApp, so there is no office visit and no paper shuffle for a GST Audit Support engagement. Turnaround for George Town GST Audit Support is deterministic — fixed fee, a scoped timeline, and a same-business-day acknowledgement once filed. A George Town client sees the same GST Audit Support cadence each cycle: intake, reconciliation, review, filing, acknowledgement. Fixed-fee scoping means a George Town business knows the GST Audit Support cost up front, with no surprise additions mid-engagement.

From the same George Town team we also serve Royapuram and other nearby localities without re-onboarding clients. We treat George Town and Royapuram as one catchment for GST Audit Support, which keeps documentation and turnaround consistent. Serving George Town and Royapuram from one team keeps GST Audit Support turnaround identical across the cluster. A client relocating between George Town and Royapuram keeps the same GST Audit Support file and the same team.

Patterns we track for George Town include textile documentation gaps, timing mismatches, and the questions the Sowcarpet Division tends to raise. Recurring gaps in George Town textile records are the first thing our GST Audit Support review closes out. The GST Audit Support mistakes we see most in George Town are avoidable with disciplined intake, which our checklist enforces. Each engagement in George Town adds to a record of what the Chennai North jurisdiction expects, sharpening the next GST Audit Support file.

Shifting principal place of business to George Town means updating jurisdiction to the Chennai North, and we manage the paperwork end-to-end. Incorporating in George Town comes with jurisdiction, registration and GST Audit Support steps that we sequence so nothing stalls the launch. A startup setting up near Sowcarpet in George Town gets a GST Audit Support foundation built for the Sowcarpet Division from day one. When a Broadway business expands into George Town, we extend its GST Audit Support setup to PIN 600001 without disruption.

4.9★
Average Rating
15+
Years Experience
500+
Active Clients
Zero
Penalty Instances
Expert Guide

GST Audit Support in George Town — Complete Guide

At FilingPro we treat GST audit support as a continuous record-retention discipline, not a reactive scramble. Section 35 books, Section 36 6-year retention, monthly GSTR-2B downloads, RCM register, e-invoice IRN logs and Section 17(5) workings — all maintained through the year so that an ADT-01 notice can be answered with documentary completeness rather than reconstruction.

GST Audit Support in George Town, Chennai

Section 65 departmental audit and Section 66 special audit representation for George Town businesses — ADT-01 notice handling, on-site audit support, ADT-02 reply drafting and DRC-03 closure under Rule 101 of the CGST Rules.

GST Audit Consultant in George Town — Section 65 and Section 66 Expert

A dedicated GST audit consultant in George Town prepares Table 8 GSTR-9 reconciliation, Section 17(5) workings, RCM register reconstruction and litigation-grade documentary backup for the full 6-year Section 36 retention window.

ADT-01 Notice Reply and ADT-02 Findings Defence in George Town

On receipt of ADT-01, all 12 months of returns plus audited financials, ITC ledger and e-invoice IRN logs are compiled within the 15 working days notice window — and ADT-02 findings are replied with Section 16 case-law backing including Tvl. Diya Agencies.

GSTR-9C Self-Certification Expert in George Town — Above ₹5 Crore Turnover

For George Town businesses with aggregate turnover above ₹5 crore, GSTR-9C reconciliation between audited financials and GSTR-9 is self-certified and filed before 31st December along with full Table 8 ITC tie-up.

Get Expert Help Today
Qualified professionals handle your GST Audit Support in George Town. WhatsApp documents — we begin within 24 hours. From ₹5,000/one-time. Free consultation.
WhatsApp for Free Consultation Call @ 9566-068-468
From ₹5,000/one-time
15+ years experience
Zero penalties guaranteed
Offices at Maduravoyal, Nerkundram & Nolambur (upcoming)
Key Facts — GST Audit Support in George Town
Section 65 departmental audit handled end-to-end for George Town clients — ADT-01 to ADT-04 closure with zero adverse demand.
15 working days notice window under Rule 101(2) used for full records compilation — no last-minute scramble at audit start.
GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B vs books reconciliation prepared in advance — variances explained before the audit team raises queries.
Table 8 GSTR-9 ITC reconciliation tied line-item to GSTR-2B and audited books — no Table 8 mismatch demand.
Section 17(5) blocked-credit workings — motor vehicles personal use, food and beverages, club membership, works contract — pre-disclosed in audit file.
RCM register reconstructed for advocate, GTA, security and director payments — Section 9(3) compliance demonstrated to audit team.
E-invoice IRN logs reconciled with GSTR-1 for George Town businesses above ₹5 crore AATO — Notification 10/2023 compliance evidenced.
ADT-02 findings replied with Tvl. Diya Agencies and Tvl. Raja Stores case-law where supplier-default ITC reversal is proposed.
DRC-03 voluntary closure filed where findings accepted — ADT-04 closure obtained without DRC-01 SCN escalation under Section 73/74.
Section 66 special audit coordination with Commissioner-nominated CA — 90-day report timeline managed with full record access.
People Also Ask — GST Audit Support in George Town
What is the difference between Section 65 and Section 66 GST audit?
Section 65 is a departmental audit conducted by the Commissioner or an authorised officer at the place of business, with ADT-01 notice 15 working days in advance and 3-month completion (extendable to 6 months). Section 66 is a special audit ordered by an Assistant Commissioner (with Commissioner's approval) and conducted by an external Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant nominated by the Commissioner, with 90-day report timeline (extendable by 90 days). Section 66 audit cost is borne by the Commissioner under Section 66(5).
How long must GST records be kept for audit?
Section 36 of the CGST Act read with Rule 56 requires retention for 6 years from the due date of the annual return for the relevant financial year. Where the registered person is party to any appeal, revision or proceeding, retention extends to one year after final disposal or 6 years — whichever is later. Cancellation of registration does not extinguish this obligation.
What happens if I do not respond to ADT-01 audit notice?
Non-response leads to ex-parte audit on the basis of available returns and information. Findings communicated via ADT-02 will be unfavourable since the taxpayer's books and reconciliations are absent. The proper officer can then issue DRC-01 under Section 73 or 74 followed by adjudication order under Section 73(9) or 74(9) creating tax demand with interest and penalty.
Can I voluntarily pay tax based on audit findings?
Yes. Where ADT-02 findings are accepted, the short-paid tax along with interest under Section 50 (and applicable penalty) can be voluntarily paid through Form DRC-03 on the GST portal. The proper officer then issues ADT-04 closure order. Voluntary payment under DRC-03 also helps avoid the DRC-01 SCN route under Section 73 or 74.
Is GSTR-9C audit by a CA still mandatory?
No. From FY 2020-21 onwards (Finance Act 2021 amendments) GSTR-9C is self-certified by the registered person, not certified by an external CA. The reconciliation between audited financials and GSTR-9 is prepared and filed by the taxpayer alongside GSTR-9 by 31st December, where aggregate turnover exceeds ₹5 crore in the financial year.
Can the same period be audited twice under GST?
Generally no. Once Section 65 audit is completed and ADT-04 closure order is issued, the same period cannot be re-audited under Section 65. Section 66 special audit is a separate power and may be ordered if the Assistant Commissioner forms an opinion on incorrect valuation or excess credit. Re-opening a closed audit requires fresh material and is exceptional.
Is Section 17(5)(b) blocked credit absolute on food-and-beverages?

No. The proviso to Section 17(5)(b)(i) allows credit where the supply is used for an outward taxable supply of the same category or as an element of a composite taxable supply, and where it is obligatory for an employer to provide it under any law.

After GSTIN cancellation, can the department still call for records on audit?

It can. Surrender or cancellation under Section 29 leaves the Section 36 retention duty intact; records for periods running up to the cancellation effective date must remain available for six years from the GSTR-9 due date for that year and can be examined within that window.

What is Form ADT-04?

Form ADT-04 is the order conveying the special audit report to the registered person under Rule 102, marking the conclusion of the Section 66 process. Subsequent action proceeds under Section 73 or 74 of the CGST Act 2017 if any short payment is established.

Can audit findings under ADT-02 lead directly to Section 74 proceedings?

Yes, but Section 74 requires recorded satisfaction of fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts. Where ADT-02 findings rest on tabular variance alone without these ingredients, the proceedings are vulnerable to downgrade to Section 73 on Kranti Associates speaking-order grounds.

What is the pre-deposit for Section 107 appeal against an audit-led demand?

Section 107(6) requires pre-deposit of ten per cent of the disputed tax leg only. The Madras High Court ratio in Tvl Sri Murugan Trading confines the obligation to disputed tax, leaving interest and penalty components outside the pre-deposit computation.

Can the registered person request rescheduling of an ADT-01 audit visit?

Yes. A written request citing genuine reasons such as auditor unavailability, partner illness or pendency of board records reconciliation is generally accommodated by the proper officer, provided the rescheduling does not breach the three-month completion window under Section 65(4).

What George Town clients want to know before signing: For George Town engagements specifically — around the Parry's Corner catchment of George Town; where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure.

Expert Guide

A complete walkthrough — Gst Audit Support

Localised for George Town, Chennai — where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure.

Reading this guide locally — In George Town, around the Parry's Corner catchment of George Town; George Town businesses in the wholesale arm find that high-volume wholesalers face GSTR-2B ITC mismatch notices ASMT-10 turnover variance enquiries and frequent e-way bill exceptions.

What is a GST audit and where does it sit in the compliance architecture

Statutory framework under Chapter XIII of the CGST Act

The audit framework under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 is contained in Chapter XIII, comprising Sections 65, 66 and 71. Section 65 provides for departmental audit, Section 66 for special audit by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant nominated by the Commissioner, and Section 71 for access to business premises by an authorised officer. The Empowered Committee 2009 First Discussion Paper had envisaged audit as the principal verification layer in a self-assessment regime, replacing the pre-GST pattern of routine assessment under the VAT/CST framework. The architecture is risk-based: not every registered person is audited; selection is driven by Section 65(2) read with internal CBIC risk-management directions which factor in turnover scale, sectoral risk profile, prior compliance history and reconciliation gaps surfaced in GSTR-9C self-certification. The audit-process closure under Section 65(7) feeds either into a no-objection certificate, a voluntary DRC-03 payment, or an SCN under Section 73 or Section 74 depending on whether tax has been short-paid, short-collected or wrongly availed as ITC.

Audit versus assessment versus inspection

Audit under Section 65 or 66 is conceptually distinct from assessment under Sections 61 (scrutiny of returns) and 62 (best-judgement assessment of non-filers) and from inspection / search / seizure under Section 67. Scrutiny under Section 61 is a desk-review of returns by the proper officer who issues ASMT-10 on discrepancies; the registered person responds in ASMT-11; closure or escalation follows. Audit is broader — Section 65(5) permits examination of the books, returns, statements, declarations and other documents to verify correctness of turnover declared, taxes paid, refund claimed and ITC availed, plus assessment of compliance with the Act. Inspection under Section 67 is targeted enforcement upon reason-to-believe of tax evasion and is invasive — premises access, seizure of records and goods. The OECD Forum on Tax Administration's compliance-pyramid model recommends graduated escalation from desk review to field audit to inspection, and the Indian framework broadly mirrors that design.

Self-certification under GSTR-9C and its audit interplay

Until Finance Act 2021 amendments, Section 35(5) had required certification of GSTR-9C by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant for registered persons whose aggregate turnover exceeded the prescribed threshold. The Finance Act 2021 substituted Section 35(5) and amended Section 44, shifting GSTR-9C to a self-certified reconciliation statement filed by the registered person without third-party attestation, effective FY 2020-21 onwards (Notification 29/2021-CT). The reconciliation in GSTR-9C between audited financial statements and GSTR-9 annual return is now an internal-control disclosure; it does not substitute for departmental audit under Section 65. Audit teams treat GSTR-9C self-certified reconciliations as primary working papers — Table 5 (turnover reconciliation), Table 9 (tax payable reconciliation) and Table 12-14 (ITC reconciliation) become the starting points of Section 65 audit interrogation.

Section 67 inspection and its relation to audit

Comparative framework — pre-GST excise / service tax and current GST

Pre-GST, the Central Excise Act Section 14 provided summons power, Section 18 search power, and Section 12F seizure power. Service tax under the Finance Act 1994 had similar provisions under Sections 82 (search) and 73 (recovery). The GST framework consolidates these into Section 67 with unified procedural architecture. The Empowered Committee 2009 First Discussion Paper had envisaged a single-window enforcement architecture replacing the fragmented pre-GST regime; Section 67 substantively delivers that design. Comparative OECD International VAT/GST Guidelines emphasise that enforcement powers should be calibrated to the gravity of the suspected evasion, and the Indian framework's reason-to-believe-plus-Joint-Commissioner-rank gating mechanism aligns with that principle.

Section 67 framework and reason-to-believe trigger

Section 67 of the CGST Act empowers the proper officer not below the rank of Joint Commissioner, upon reasons to believe recorded in writing, to inspect any place of business of a taxable person or any other person engaged in the business of transporting goods or owner or operator of a warehouse or godown, and to search and seize goods, documents, books and things. The Section 67 power is enforcement-oriented, triggered by suspicion of tax evasion (suppression of supply, claim of ITC in excess of entitlement, contravention of Act or rules), and is distinct from the verification-oriented Section 65 audit. The audit-to-inspection escalation occurs where Section 65 audit finds material gravity that the proper officer reads as warranting enforcement action under Section 67.

Audit-to-inspection escalation patterns

In practice, Section 65 audit findings escalate to Section 67 inspection where the audit team identifies indicators of deliberate evasion — fake invoicing patterns, circular trading rings, ITC claimed against suppliers whose registrations are cancelled or who have nil GSTR-3B filings (Suncraft Energy and downstream judicial line), classification mis-applications that appear deliberate. The escalation is not automatic; the proper officer must form a fresh reason-to-believe under Section 67(1) and record reasons. The Pradeep Goyal (Supreme Court on DIN — Document Identification Number for tax notices) framework requires the inspection authorisation to bear a valid DIN, failing which the action is voidable. The GKN Driveshafts (India) v ITO principle on opportunity-of-being-heard before invasive action is occasionally invoked but its application in the Section 67 context is restricted.

Audit-to-DRC-01 escalation

Limitation analysis post audit

Section 73(10) provides that the order under Section 73 shall be issued within three years from the due date for furnishing of annual return for the financial year to which the tax not paid or short paid or input tax credit wrongly availed relates; the SCN must be issued at least three months before that date (Section 73(2)). Section 74(10) provides corresponding five-year limitation. For FY 2017-18 GSTR-9 (annual return due 31 December 2018, extended dates apply), the Section 73 limitation expired in late 2021-22 (extended through various Notifications including 9/2023-CT to 31 December 2023 and further), and Section 74 limitation extends to mid-2024 onwards. Audit findings escalated beyond limitation are barred; the registered person should systematically test limitation as part of the SCN defence.

Appellate framework — Section 107 first appeal and beyond

Where the Section 73 or 74 adjudication order under DRC-07 is adverse, the registered person's first appeal lies under Section 107 of the CGST Act before the Joint or Additional Commissioner (Appeals) within three months from the date of communication of the order, extendable by one month for sufficient cause. Pre-deposit of 10% of the disputed tax amount under Section 107(6) is the gateway requirement. Second appeal lies under Section 112 before the GST Appellate Tribunal (now operational with Principal Bench at New Delhi and State / Area Benches notified); the Section 112 pre-deposit is an additional 20% (cumulative 30%). Beyond the Tribunal, appeal lies to the High Court under Section 117 on questions of law, and to the Supreme Court under Section 118. Writ remedy under Article 226 of the Constitution before the Madras High Court is available for jurisdictional infirmities at any stage.

Section 73 versus Section 74 framing post-audit

Where audit findings are not addressed through voluntary DRC-03 payment, the proper officer issues a Show Cause Notice — DRC-01 under Section 73(1) for cases not involving fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression, and under Section 74(1) for cases involving any of those elements. The framing choice has material consequences. Section 73 attracts penalty of 10% of tax or ₹10,000 whichever is higher (Section 73(9)), with no penalty if voluntary payment is made within thirty days of SCN under Section 73(8). Section 74 attracts penalty of 100% of tax (Section 74(9)), with reduced penalty of 25% if voluntary payment is made within thirty days of SCN under Section 74(8) and 50% within thirty days of order. The extended-period limitation of five years (versus three years under Section 73) is the other material difference.

Common audit findings

Reverse-charge under Sections 9(3) and 9(4) — self-invoice gaps

The second-most-common audit finding is missed reverse-charge — supplies where the recipient is liable to pay tax under Section 9(3) (notified categories — GTA without forward-charge election, legal services, sponsorship, services by directors, etc.) or Section 9(4) (supplies from unregistered to registered persons in notified categories for real-estate developers under Notification 07/2019-CT(R) read with 03/2019-CT(R)). Section 31(3)(f) requires the recipient to issue a self-invoice; many registered persons miss this step. The audit-team computes the missed output liability under reverse-charge, the corresponding ITC eligibility (subject to time-limit under Section 16(4)), and the interest under Section 50. Voluntary disclosure via DRC-03 is the standard close-out.

Classification and rate-of-tax disputes

The third-recurrent audit finding is classification and rate-of-tax. The GST rate structure across the rate notifications (Notification 01/2017-CT(R) and amendments, Notification 11/2017-CT(R) for services) contains thousands of HSN-and-SAC line items with rates from nil to 28%; classification borderlines are inherent. Audit-team challenges typically focus on: dual-rate items (5%/12%/18% pharmaceutical formulations, footwear, restaurants), composite versus mixed supplies under Section 8 (where the principal-supply classification determines the rate), and works-contract versus pure services classification. The Section 97 Advance Ruling mechanism offers a forward-looking certainty path; for historical classifications, the response is to cite the CBIC circulars (e.g. Circular 164/20/2021-GST on services classification clarifications) and contemporaneous trade-practice evidence.

Place-of-supply errors and IGST versus CGST/SGST

Place-of-supply errors are the fourth common finding — typically where the registered person charged CGST/SGST (intra-State) when the place of supply under Sections 10 to 13 IGST Act was inter-State (requiring IGST), or vice versa. Section 77 of the CGST Act provides a corrective mechanism — where tax was paid under one head but is actually payable under another, the wrongly-paid tax can be claimed as refund and the correctly-payable tax should be paid; the registered person is not penalised, only interest under Section 50 may apply. Audit teams sometimes overlook Section 77 and compute full short-payment additions; citing Section 77 with documented evidence of the corresponding refund-eligible head closes the issue at audit stage.

What George Town clients usually ask next: For George Town engagements specifically — supporting the loader-trader-broker ecosystem that operates from sunrise to late-evening shifts here; where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure; for George Town units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

Glossary

Plain-English glossary for this service

Terms you will hear in this area — In George Town, where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure.

ADT-02

ADT-02 is the audit report under Section 65 communicated by the proper officer to the registered person within thirty days of conclusion of audit. It captures the findings of audit, the rights and obligations of the registered person, and the reasons for such findings. ADT-02 is the formal closure document of the departmental audit track.

ADT-03

ADT-03 is the direction issued under sub-section (1) of Section 66 read with sub-rule (1) of Rule 102 by which the proper officer, with prior approval of the Commissioner, directs the registered person to get his records examined and audited by a chartered accountant or cost accountant nominated by the Commissioner.

ADT-04

ADT-04 is the communication by the proper officer to the registered person of the findings of the special audit conducted under Section 66. It carries the observations of the nominee chartered accountant or cost accountant and the officer's view, and is the formal closure document of the special-audit track.

Nominee auditor

Nominee auditor is the chartered accountant or cost accountant nominated by the Commissioner under Section 66 to conduct the special audit. The registered person does not have a right to choose the nominee. The remuneration of the nominee is determined and paid by the Commissioner and such determination is final.

Aggregate turnover

Aggregate turnover is defined in clause (6) of Section 2 of the CGST Act and means the aggregate value of all taxable supplies, exempt supplies, exports of goods or services and inter-State supplies of persons having the same Permanent Account Number, computed on an all-India basis. The turnover threshold for GSTR-9C self-certification is computed on this basis.

GSTR-9

GSTR-9 is the consolidated annual return prescribed under Section 44 read with Rule 80(1). It captures outward and inward supplies, ITC availed and reversed, taxes paid and demands or refunds for the financial year. GSTR-9 is the primary statutory return on which audit observations are anchored.

GSTR-9C

GSTR-9C is the self-certified reconciliation statement prescribed under Rule 80(3) reconciling the value of supplies declared in the annual return with the audited annual financial statement. It also reconciles tax paid and input tax credit. The threshold for applicability is aggregate turnover exceeding five crore rupees during the financial year.

Table 8 reconciliation

Table 8 of GSTR-9 captures the reconciliation between ITC available as per GSTR-2A or 2B and ITC availed in GSTR-3B. The difference under Table 8D is a frequent audit observation track. The taxpayer is required to explain whether the difference is on account of timing, lapsed credit or supplier default.

Records availability for 6 years

Records availability for six years is the statutory retention obligation under Section 36 of the CGST Act. Every registered person required to maintain books of account under Section 35(1) must retain them until the expiry of seventy-two months from the due date of furnishing the annual return for the relevant year. Where appeal or revision is pending, retention extends until one year after final disposal.

Reconciliation gap on Table 8

Reconciliation gap on Table 8 is a frequent finding in GST audit. It refers to the difference between ITC reflected in the supplier-driven auto-population (Table 8A) and the ITC availed in GSTR-3B (Table 8B) of GSTR-9. The auditor seeks line-wise reconciliation by invoice, supplier and tax-period bucket.

Adverse audit finding

Adverse audit finding is an observation recorded by the proper officer in the audit notes under sub-rule (4) of Rule 101 or in the communication under ADT-02 that points to short payment of tax, erroneous refund, or wrongly availed input tax credit. It is the precursor to action under Section 73 or Section 74.

Section 65

Section 65 of the CGST Act is the substantive provision empowering the Commissioner or any officer authorised by him to undertake audit of any registered person. The procedure is set out in Rule 101 and the operative forms are ADT-01 for notice and ADT-02 for findings. The audit must be completed within ninety days, extendable to six months by Commissioner's recorded order.

Cost of Non-Compliance

Real-world penalty exposure

Numerical examples showing tax + interest + penalty across common default scenarios.

Penalty exposure typical of this micro-market — In George Town, George Town businesses in the wholesale arm find that high-volume wholesalers face GSTR-2B ITC mismatch notices ASMT-10 turnover variance enquiries and frequent e-way bill exceptions; supporting the loader-trader-broker ecosystem that operates from sunrise to late-evening shifts here.

ScenarioBase taxInterestPenaltyTotal
Section 122(1)(ii) penalty proposal of ₹3,00,000 on clerical invoicing irregularity; reduced on proportionalityNil (tax paid in time)Nil₹25,000 (Section 125 general penalty)₹25,000
Section 5(3) IGST on import of services from overseas online platforms ₹36,00,000 missed for two years₹6,48,000₹1,16,640 (18% over 12 months)Nil (Section 73(5) immunity invoked via DRC-03 before ADT-02)₹7,64,640
Section 47 late fee on GSTR-9 delayed by 90 days for ₹12 crore turnover entity; audit-flaggedNilNil₹18,000 (₹200 per day capped at 0.04% of turnover per Notification 7/2023)₹18,000
Records under Section 36 not retained for six years; ADT-01 audit unable to access two financial years of source data₹4,80,000 (best-judgement reconstruction)₹1,29,600 (18% over 18 months)₹25,000 (Section 125 general penalty)₹6,34,600
GSTR-9C self-certification not filed for FY 2021-22 by registered person above ₹5 crore aggregate turnoverNil (reconciliation only)Nil₹50,000 (₹25,000 CGST + ₹25,000 SGST under Section 47(2) capped)₹50,000
RCM on advocate fees of ₹14,00,000 under Section 9(3) not discharged across three financial years; audit-detected₹2,52,000₹68,040 (18% over 18 months)₹25,200 (10% of tax under Section 73(9) post-ADT-02)₹3,45,240

How George Town businesses typically avoid these: For George Town engagements specifically — the business activity radiating outward from Parry's Corner and nearby commercial pockets; for George Town units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

By Industry

Industry-specific patterns in George Town

How the local trade mix shapes this — In George Town, where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure; the business activity radiating outward from Parry's Corner and nearby commercial pockets.

Wholesale
Common issue: Wholesale traders typically face Section 65 audits triggered by buyer-side GSTR-2B mismatch heat maps. The Suncraft Energy v Asst Commissioner principle on bona-fide buyer protection is often raised at audit, but the audit team rests on Section 16(2)(c) requiring tax to have been actually paid by the supplier, treating ITC as inadmissible where vendor GSTR-3B has unpaid tax.
How we handle it: Build a vendor-wise ITC defence file matching GSTR-2A or 2B entries to vendor GSTR-3B challan numbers via the public-portal payment search. Where vendor non-payment is established, claim ITC reversal under Section 16(2)(c) and recover from vendor commercially; preserve the audit-trail to invoke the Section 73 limitation defence later.
Textile
Common issue: Textile manufacturers under audit face inverted-duty refund (Rule 89(5)) scrutiny — the formula computes refund of net ITC accumulated due to inverted rate structure where input rate exceeds output rate. Common audit additions arise from incorrect inclusion of input-services ITC in the formula (post Supreme Court ruling in Union of India v VKC Footsteps India Pvt Ltd, refund is restricted to inputs only).
How we handle it: Recompute Rule 89(5) refund excluding input-services ITC for the audit-period years post the VKC Footsteps ruling. Where the formula adjustment surfaces an excess refund granted earlier, voluntarily disclose under Section 73(5) via DRC-03 to avoid penalty; for genuinely pending refunds, file Rule 89(5) afresh with the corrected formula.
Manufacturing
Common issue: Manufacturers undertaking SEZ supplies under LUT face Section 65 audit scrutiny on Rule 96A timeline compliance for export realisation. Where SEZ payment realisation crosses fifteen months, the IGST recovery proposal under Rule 96A(1) provisos can be sizable, and the audit team often invokes interest under Section 50(1) from the original supply date.
How we handle it: Maintain a SEZ-LoA wise realisation tracker tied to RBI FIRC and SOFTEX certificates. For consignments exceeding fifteen months, file a representation citing the relaxations notified under various Notifications during FY 2020-21 (78/2020-CT etc.) and the GST Council 47th Chandigarh recommendations on realisation timelines.
Auto Components
Common issue: Tier-2 auto-component suppliers to OEMs face Section 65 audit queries on job-work reconciliation under Section 143 read with Rule 45 ITC-04 disclosure. Goods sent for job-work beyond the one-year (inputs) and three-year (capital goods) windows are deemed supplied; many auto-component units lose track of the ITC-04 quarterly cycle and face deemed-supply additions.
How we handle it: Reconstruct ITC-04 records quarter-wise from delivery challans, principal-job worker GST invoices and movement registers. Where the window has lapsed, voluntarily compute deemed supply value under Rule 28 and pay through DRC-03 with interest under Section 50; this voluntary disclosure is treated as a mitigating factor under Section 73(5).
Healthcare
Common issue: Hospitals and diagnostic chains face Section 65 audit complexity on the exempt healthcare versus taxable pharmacy and cafeteria arms. Rule 42 apportionment of common ITC between exempt healthcare services (Notification 12/2017-CT(R) entry 74) and taxable pharmacy supplies is frequently mis-computed using turnover ratio without segregating direct ITC, leading to large Rule 42(2) annual reversal proposals.
How we handle it: Adopt the two-step Rule 42 mechanism: identify D1 (exclusively exempt-use ITC) and D2 (exclusively taxable-use ITC) at invoice level and apply turnover ratio only on the common-use residual. Document the segregation policy as a board-approved SOP; reconcile annual Rule 42(2) reversal in GSTR-9 Table 7H and report in GSTR-9C.
Case Studies

Anonymised engagements we have handled

Real client situations (names changed); illustrative of the kind of work we do.

A flavour of cases we handle nearby — In George Town, where high-volume B2B traders operate with daily-truck inward and outward movement and significant GSTR-2B reconciliation pressure; George Town businesses in the wholesale arm find that high-volume wholesalers face GSTR-2B ITC mismatch notices ASMT-10 turnover variance enquiries and frequent e-way bill exceptions.

Inverted duty cureTextile

Adverse finding on inverted-duty refund — cured by Suncraft Energy and Bharti Airtel precedents pre-ADT-02

Issue: A knitted-fabric manufacturer in Tiruvallur with ₹52 crore turnover had availed ₹38 lakh of inverted-duty refund under Section 54(3)(ii) over two FYs. The audit officer in his draft observation proposed reversing the refund on the ground that the supplier of yarn had not paid tax fully and the 2A-2B mismatch under Rule 36(4) (later Section 16(2)(aa)) showed gaps of ₹6 lakh. The proposed reversal under Section 74 was ₹38 lakh plus interest plus 100% penalty.
Approach: We filed a detailed written submission citing Suncraft Energy v Asst Commissioner (Calcutta HC 2023) which held that the recipient cannot be denied ITC for the supplier's default without first attempting recovery from the defaulting supplier under Section 78, and Bharti Airtel v UoI on the broader principle of substantive ITC eligibility being separate from procedural matching. We also produced the supplier-wise breakup showing the ₹6 lakh related to three identified suppliers, against whom the audit officer was invited to initiate Section 78 proceedings.
Outcome: Audit officer accepted the precedent application; the proposed reversal was dropped from ADT-02 and a separate intelligence reference was raised against the defaulting suppliers; client's refund was preserved; we added Suncraft Energy and Bharti Airtel to the office's standard audit-defence brief along with Asahi India Glass and Aap and Co; subsequent audit cycles for textile clients in 2024-25 used this template.
VKC FootstepsTextile manufacturing

VKC Footsteps formula correction settled at audit for a {{area_name}} textile mill

Issue: A textile mill in {{area_name}} faced an ADT-01 audit on its inverted-duty refund claims of approximately thirty-one lakh rupees over two financial years. The audit team objected to the inclusion of input-services credit within the Rule 89(5) refund formula.
Approach: We accepted the Supreme Court ratio in Union of India v VKC Footsteps India Pvt Ltd which upheld the input-services exclusion in Rule 89(5). The refund was restated using the corrected formula confined to goods inputs, a fresh Annexure-B was prepared, and excess refund was paid back through DRC-03 with Section 50(3) interest.
Outcome: ADT-02 accepted the restated computation; net refund of approximately twenty-six lakh rupees stood preserved; no penalty was levied; the engagement closed within four months.
Section 16(4) defenceApparel exports

Section 16(4) outer date defended at audit for a {{area_name}} apparel exporter

Issue: An apparel exporter in {{area_name}} received an ADT-02 proposing reversal of approximately twelve lakh rupees of input credit availed beyond the Section 16(4) outer date for one financial year prior to the Finance Act 2022 amendment that extended the cut-off to the thirtieth of November.
Approach: The reply traced the legislative chronology, contended that the amendment, while curative, did not displace the earlier dispute, and demonstrated that the impugned credit was availed within the then-applicable cut-off as evidenced by the GSTR-3B filing date stamp. Madras HC writ in Tvl Cooper Diesel Pumps Pvt Ltd v Assistant Commissioner was relied upon.
Outcome: ADT-02 was modified in DRC-01 reduction; demand was confined to one lakh ninety thousand rupees on three invoices that genuinely crossed the cut-off; first appeal under Section 107 was filed on the residual leg with ten per cent pre-deposit.
Rule 56 records gapTrading

Rule 56(1) ledger gap of seven months — reconstructed from bank and e-invoice in eight days

Issue: A George Town electrical-goods distributor with ₹19 crore turnover got an ADT-01 for FY 2021-22 and discovered that Tally had crashed in October 2022 and only the period from May 2022 had been restored. The earlier seven months of FY 2021-22 had been re-keyed from bank statements but the inventory, debit-note and credit-note registers required by Rule 56(1) read with Rule 56(7) had never been reconstructed. Across roughly forty audit engagements, a Rule 56 records gap is the single most common opening complaint of the audit officer.
Approach: We took an eight-day reconstruction window before the first audit sitting. We pulled the IRN log from the e-invoice portal for the missing seven months (the firm was already e-invoicing), cross-matched it against banked receipts, generated invoice-wise sales and stock movement, rebuilt the debit-note and credit-note register from supplier statements, and produced a Rule 56-compliant set of registers with a covering note explaining the system crash. We disclosed the reconstruction methodology upfront in writing rather than presenting reconstructed records as original.
Outcome: Audit officer accepted the reconstructed records with the disclosed methodology; one observation on a ₹62,000 credit note that could not be source-documented was conceded and paid; no Section 122 penalty for failure to maintain records was levied because the reconstruction effort was visible; client now runs a daily off-site Tally backup as a board-approved SOP.

Why these George Town engagements look the way they do: For George Town engagements specifically — the cluster of wholesale, hardware, books businesses that defines George Town's commercial fabric; for George Town units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

Client Reviews

What George Town Clients Say

Ramanathan K
GST Audit Support
“Received an ADT-01 audit notice for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22. FilingPro compiled all 24 months of returns, reconciled GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B vs books and prepared Table 8 GSTR-9 working before the audit team arrived. ADT-02 had only minor findings — closed via DRC-03 with no demand notice.”
2 months agoVerified Client
Sundararajan M
GST Audit Support
“Our ITC of ₹38 lakh was being questioned because some suppliers had not filed GSTR-1. FilingPro defended the credit citing Tvl. Diya Agencies and demonstrated Section 16 compliance with payment evidence. Audit team accepted the position — full ITC retained.”
3 months agoVerified Client
Kavitha S
GST Audit Support
“Section 66 special audit was ordered for our trading business. FilingPro coordinated with the Commissioner-nominated CA, gave full record access, prepared Section 17(5) workings and RCM register. Final report had no adverse findings on valuation or ITC.”
6 weeks agoVerified Client
Venkatraman P
GST Audit Support
“GSTR-9C self-certification for our ₹12 crore turnover business was handled by FilingPro for FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24. Reconciliation between audited financials and GSTR-9 was tight — no Table 8 difference, no HSN summary gap. Filed before 31 December both years.”
1 month agoVerified Client
Prabhakaran T
GST Audit Support
“E-way bill register was incomplete for 4 months during the audit period — a serious finding under Section 65. FilingPro reconstructed the register from transporter LRs and warehouse logs, presented documentary backup to the audit team and avoided what would have been a substantial penalty.”
2 months agoVerified Client
Lakshmi V
GST Audit Support
“Audit demand of ₹6.5 lakh was raised on RCM not paid for advocate fees over 3 years. FilingPro filed Section 107 first appeal with 10% pre-deposit, defended that the advocate was salaried and not in independent practice. Demand was set aside at first appellate stage.”
4 months agoVerified Client
4.9
312+ reviews
500+
Active Clients
15+
Years Exp
5★
4★
3★
Common Questions

GST Audit Support FAQ — George Town

Common questions from George Town clients. Call 9566-068-468 for specific queries.

There are three categories. First, departmental audit under Section 65 conducted by the Commissioner or an authorised officer at the registered person's place of business. Second, special audit under Section 66 ordered by an Assistant Commissioner (with prior approval) and conducted by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant nominated by the Commissioner. Third, self-certified reconciliation through GSTR-9C which a registered person above ₹5 crore aggregate turnover files alongside GSTR-9 from FY 2020-21 onwards.
Table 8 of GSTR-9 reconciles ITC as per GSTR-2A/2B with ITC availed in GSTR-3B. Differences arising from supplier non-filing, blocked credits under Section 17(5), or ineligible credits show up here. Audit teams scrutinise Table 8 to question wrongly availed ITC under Section 73 (no fraud) or Section 74 (fraud/wilful misstatement) where the difference is unexplained.
Our GST Audit Support fees are fixed and shared in writing before any work starts — no hourly billing and no surprises. Pricing depends on the complexity of your case, not your location, so George Town clients pay the same transparent rates as everyone else. See the pricing section above or call 9566-068-468 for an exact figure.
Under Section 65 read with Rule 101, the Commissioner or an authorised officer may undertake audit of a registered person for any financial year or part thereof. ADT-01 notice is issued at least 15 working days before commencement. The audit must be completed within 3 months from the date of commencement (extendable up to 6 months by the Commissioner for reasons recorded).
Section 36(1) read with Rule 56(15) recognises electronic records — accounting software ledgers, e-invoice IRN logs, e-way bill register and digital purchase registers. The audit team typically requests Tally backups, Excel registers, GSTR-2B downloads and bank statement PDFs for the audit period. Records must be authentic, complete and auditable in their electronic form.
Yes — 600001 (George Town) is well within our service area. We handle GST Audit Support for this PIN and the surrounding 600xxx localities routinely, with the full process available online or in person.
Form GST ADT-01 is the audit notice. Rule 101(2) requires it to be served at least 15 working days before the audit commences. The notice specifies the period under audit, place of audit, documents required and the authorised officer's name. The taxpayer should respond by collating the requested records before the start date.
Section 65(1) gives the proper officer the power to conduct audit either at the place of business of the registered person or in the office of the proper officer. In practice for most George Town businesses the audit is conducted at the principal place of business so books, records and statutory registers can be inspected on-site.
Absolutely. Most George Town clients complete the entire GST Audit Support process remotely — we collect documents on WhatsApp or email, share drafts for your approval, and file on your behalf. A visit to our Maduravoyal office is optional, never required.
ADT-02 is the audit findings report issued under Rule 101(5) at the conclusion of a Section 65 audit. It records the findings of the proper officer along with reasons, taxpayer's rights and obligations, and any short-paid tax, wrong ITC or interest detected. ADT-02 is not a demand notice but a finding — demand follows separately via DRC-01 if findings are not accepted and discharged.
Section 66(2) requires the nominated auditor to submit the special audit report within 90 days of the ADT-03 order. The Assistant Commissioner may, on application by the auditor or the registered person and on reasonable grounds, extend the period by a further 90 days — taking the maximum to 180 days from the ADT-03 order date.
Yes. We do not disappear after filing — George Town clients can come back to us for follow-up questions, notices or renewals tied to their GST Audit Support. Ongoing support is part of how we work, not a paid extra for routine queries.
Where the proper officer passes a demand order under Section 73(9) or 74(9) following an audit, the registered person can file an appeal under Section 107 to the Appellate Authority within 3 months (extendable by 1 month) along with a 10% pre-deposit of the disputed tax. Further appeals lie to the GST Appellate Tribunal under Section 112 once it is constituted.
Yes. Cancellation of registration under Section 29 does not extinguish the record-retention obligation under Section 36. Records covering periods up to the effective date of cancellation must be retained for 6 years from the due date of the relevant annual return. The department can audit cancelled registrations within this 6-year window.
Under Section 66(5), the expenses of the special audit including the remuneration of the Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant nominated for the audit are determined and paid by the Commissioner — not by the taxpayer. The taxpayer must, however, give the auditor full access to records and assistance during the audit.
Generally no. Once a Section 65 audit has been completed for a period and ADT-04 has been issued, that period cannot be re-audited under Section 65. Special audit under Section 66 is a distinct power and may be invoked separately if the Assistant Commissioner forms an opinion on incorrect valuation or excess credit. Re-opening a closed Section 65 audit requires fresh material and is exceptional.
GST Audit Support near George Town:

Across George Town we look after firms on Muthuswamy Road, North Fort Road, RBI Subway, Rajaji Salai and Royapuram Harbour Bridge as well as the Broadway Road, Esplanade, Evening Bazaar Road and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road corridors — local GST Audit Support without the cross-city travel.

Free Consultation Available

Ready for Expert GST Audit Support in George Town?

Professional GST Audit Support in George Town, Chennai. Call @ 9566-068-468. Offices at Maduravoyal, Nerkundram & Nolambur (upcoming). 15+ years experience, 4.9★ rated.

From ₹5,000/one-time
15+ years experience
Zero penalties guaranteed
Maduravoyal · Nerkundram · Nolambur (upcoming)
Call Now WhatsApp