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
ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur & Sholinganallur · GST Audit Support practitioners

GST Audit Support — ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur & Sholinganallur

End-to-end GST Audit Support for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur government promoted it sez establishments — on fixed, transparent fees

Professional GST Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur (PIN 600119), Chennai — fixed fee, deterministic turnaround and archived working papers. 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur — 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur Clients Choose FilingPro

Expert GST Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur — qualified professionals, 15+ years experience, zero-penalty track record.

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)).

6-Year Records Retention Maintained

All audit working papers, GSTR-2B downloads, RCM workings and reconciliation sheets retained for 6 years from the due date of the annual return — meeting Section 36 read with Rule 56 record-retention obligations.

Section 107 First Appeal Filed

Where DRC-01 SCN escalates to a Section 73(9) or 74(9) demand order, Section 107 appeal is filed within 3 months with 10% pre-deposit. Personal hearing represented by qualified professionals.

15+ Years Chennai Audit Experience

Our practice has handled departmental audits since the service tax and VAT era — deep institutional memory of jurisdictional CGST and SGST audit teams in Chennai, their typical findings and effective reply structures.

ADT-01 Notice Handled End-to-End

Every ADT-01 notice received by a ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur client is acknowledged within 24 hours and full records compilation begins under Rule 101(2). No last-minute scramble at audit start.

On-Site Audit Representation

For audits conducted at the registered principal place of business, FilingPro consultants are present throughout — answering queries, producing records and protecting against adverse interpretations on the spot.

Key Benefits

What ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur Clients Get

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

Litigation-Ready Documentary File
Audit working papers, reconciliation sheets, Section 17(5) workings, RCM register and case-law citations retained for 7 years — supporting both the immediate audit and any future Section 107 or Tribunal appeal.
Natural Justice Procedural Defences
15 working days notice under Rule 101(2), 3-month audit completion under Rule 101(4), 30-day DRC-06 reply window under Section 73/74 — every procedural timeline tracked. Procedural lapses by department challenged.
Multi-State GSTIN Audit Coordination
For ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur headquartered businesses with branches outside Tamil Nadu, GSTIN-wise records produced at the principal place of business — joint CGST + SGST audit handled under one engagement.
GSTR-9C Self-Certification Without Surprises
For ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses above ₹5 crore turnover, GSTR-9C reconciliation between audited financials and GSTR-9 prepared and self-certified well before 31 December — no Table 8 mismatch, no HSN summary gap.
Confidential Audit Defence
Audit working papers, ADT-02 findings and reconciliation evidence stored under access-controlled channels. ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur clients' audit data is never shared with third parties or used for cross-marketing.
Audit Closed Without Demand
Where findings are minor and accepted, voluntary payment via DRC-03 closes the audit at ADT-04 stage. ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur clients avoid DRC-01 SCN, Section 73/74 adjudication and penalty escalation.
Comparison

Section 65 (Departmental) vs Section 66 (Special)

Why this matters here — ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses operate where the cluster of it services, ites, software businesses that defines ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur's commercial fabric, and served by short connections to Sholinganallur and Karapakkam and onward to central Chennai.

AspectSection 65 (Departmental)Section 66 (Special)
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
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)
Documents Required

Documents for GST Audit Support

Share documents via WhatsApp to 9566-068-468. No office visit required for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 — ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses operate where the business activity radiating outward from ELCOT SEZ Tower and nearby commercial pockets.

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.
Adjudication order under Section 73 or 74 served90 daysAPL-01 first appealRight of appeal lapses if first appeal under Section 107 is not filed within three months from communication of order
Annual return due date for the financial year under audit2190 daysRecords retention obligationBooks of account and records must be retained for seventy-two months from the due date of furnishing the annual return; extends further if appeal, revision or proceeding is pending
Closure of audit period for annual record retention2190 daysStatutory registers under Rule 56Books of account and statutory registers to be retained for seventy-two months from the due date of furnishing the annual return for the period, beyond which voluntary destruction is permitted unless appeal or proceeding is pending.

Deadline pressure points we see in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur: Where ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur differs: for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

Forms Library

Forms used in this engagement

DRC-01Show cause notice under Section 73 or 74

Formal SCN summary served along with the detailed notice; captures the tax, interest and penalty proposed, the financial period and the grounds

Issued at least three months before the time-limit for adjudication order under Section 73(10); six months under Section 74(10) Jurisdictional proper officer (officer-issued)
DRC-06Reply to show cause notice

Written reply by the registered person to a SCN issued in DRC-01; carries denial or admission, supporting documents and request for personal hearing

Within the time allowed in the SCN, generally thirty days Common Portal (taxpayer)
DRC-07Summary of order

Summary of the adjudication order passed under Section 73 or 74 communicating the demand confirmed; the operative document for recovery and appeal computation

Issued along with the detailed adjudication order Jurisdictional proper officer (officer-issued)
APL-01First appeal to Appellate Authority

Memorandum of first appeal before the Appellate Authority against an order under Section 73, 74 or other adjudication arising from audit; carries grounds of appeal and pre-deposit details

Within three months from the date of communication of the order; condonable by a further one month Common Portal (taxpayer) — addressed to Appellate Authority
RFD-01Refund application

Refund application used where audit closure or appellate decision results in pre-deposit refund or refund of tax paid in excess pursuant to favourable order

Within two years from the relevant date under Section 54 Common Portal (taxpayer)
GSTR-1Statement of outward supplies

Monthly or quarterly statement of outward supplies — the primary source document for audit observations on tax payable, turnover declarations and B2B invoice flow

11th of the next month (monthly) or 13th of the month following the quarter (QRMP) Common Portal (taxpayer)
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 Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, Chennai 600119

ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur is a government-promoted IT SEZ anchored by Accenture Infosys and Tamil Nadu government IT departments. Because PIN 600119 sits inside the Chennai South jurisdiction, the handling office for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur stays consistent across years, which matters when filings or approvals span cycles. Statutory correspondence for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses routes through the Sholinganallur Division, so we align every GST Audit Support engagement to that jurisdiction from the start. Records we prepare for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur carry the geo-zone 600xx tag and coordinates 12.8989, 80.2275, which map each submission back to this locality.

ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur reads as a government promoted it sez pocket with high commercial activity, anchored around ELCOT SEZ Tower and fed by the Sholinganallur Junction Bus Stop corridor. Document pickup near ELCOT SEZ Tower is a same-hour errand for our ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur engagements rather than the half-day a typical Chennai client expects. The businesses clustered around ELCOT SEZ Tower in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur drive the bulk of the GST Audit Support workload we see each cycle. ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur sustains a high flow of commerce for a government promoted it sez locality, and that flow is the raw material for the GST Audit Support files we close here.

Because ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur hosts a cluster of software businesses, we benchmark each new GST Audit Support engagement against patterns we already track for the locality. Sector concentration matters: when ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur leans toward software, the GST Audit Support risks cluster around the same few line items each cycle. software units around ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur share recurring GST Audit Support patterns — input-credit timing, vendor reconciliation, and sector-specific documentation. A software operator in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur gets a GST Audit Support workflow shaped by sector norms, not a one-size-fits-all template.

The qualified-review step on every ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur GST Audit Support file is where errors get caught before they reach the portal. Turnaround for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur GST Audit Support is deterministic — fixed fee, a scoped timeline, and a same-business-day acknowledgement once filed. The ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur GST Audit Support workflow is documented end-to-end: WhatsApp document intake, a working file, qualified review, and a filed acknowledgement back to you. Our ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur GST Audit Support process is built to be predictable, documented, and on time, cycle after cycle.

Proximity to Karapakkam means a ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur engagement can extend across the locality cluster with no change in cadence. Businesses straddling ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur and Karapakkam get a single GST Audit Support point of contact rather than two. GST Audit Support clients in Karapakkam are handled by the same practitioners who run our ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur desk. Serving ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur and Karapakkam from one team keeps GST Audit Support turnaround identical across the cluster.

Over several cycles in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, the recurring GST Audit Support issues cluster around a predictable short list we screen for early. Common patterns in the Sholinganallur Division give ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses an early-warning map we use to pre-empt GST Audit Support issues. Recurring gaps in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur ites records are the first thing our GST Audit Support review closes out. Patterns we track for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur include ites documentation gaps, timing mismatches, and the questions the Sholinganallur Division tends to raise.

Relocating a registered office into ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur (PIN 600119) changes the assessing division, and we handle that GST Audit Support transition cleanly. When a Perungudi business expands into ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, we extend its GST Audit Support setup to PIN 600119 without disruption. Shifting principal place of business to ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur means updating jurisdiction to the Chennai South, and we manage the paperwork end-to-end. Incorporating in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur comes with jurisdiction, registration and GST Audit Support steps that we sequence so nothing stalls the launch.

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

GST Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur — Complete Guide

For ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses receiving an ADT-01 audit notice under Section 65 of the CGST Act, the 15 working days notice window prescribed by Rule 101(2) is used by FilingPro to compile all 12 months of GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and GSTR-9 returns, audited financials, ITC ledger with Section 17(5) workings and e-invoice IRN logs — so the audit team finds organised, reconciled records on day one.

GST Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, Chennai

Section 65 departmental audit and Section 66 special audit representation for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur — Section 65 and Section 66 Expert

A dedicated GST audit consultant in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur

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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur — Above ₹5 Crore Turnover

For ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur. 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur
Section 65 departmental audit handled end-to-end for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur
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.
Has GSTR-9C self-certification continued to apply for the financial years since 2020-21?

Yes. Beginning the 2020-21 financial year, taxpayers crossing the five-crore aggregate-turnover mark in any year self-certify the reconciliation statement. Earlier external certification by a Chartered Accountant was dispensed with by the Finance Act 2021 amendments to Section 44.

What is the GSTR-9C turnover threshold from FY 2020-21?

The threshold is aggregate turnover above five crore rupees in the financial year, applied PAN-wise across all GSTINs. Persons below this threshold are not required to file GSTR-9C even where GSTR-9 filing is otherwise compulsory for them.

What is the due date for GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C filing?

GSTR-9 along with GSTR-9C where applicable is due by the thirty-first of December following the relevant financial year. Section 44 read with Rule 80 governs the due date, subject to periodic extensions notified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.

Which document sets does the audit team typically demand at ADT-01 stage?

Section 35 with Rule 56 obliges the registered person to keep the universe of tax invoices, stock and production registers, ITC workings, output liability schedules, RCM register, e-way bill logs, IRN files, Section 17(5) computations and matched bank statements ready for production.

What is the statutory record-retention horizon under GST?

Section 36 fixes the horizon at six years measured from the GSTR-9 due date for that year. Where any appeal, revision or proceeding remains pending, retention runs until one year after final disposal or six years, whichever event is later in time.

Can a second GST audit be conducted for the same period?

A second Section 65 audit of the same period is generally not undertaken absent fresh material. However, special audit under Section 66 may be ordered even where Section 65 audit was earlier conducted, and other proceedings under the Act remain available where conditions are met.

What ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur clients want to know before signing: Where ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur differs: in the government-promoted it sez micro-market of ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur.

Expert Guide

A complete walkthrough — Gst Audit Support

Reading this guide locally — ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses operate where on the Sholinganallur-Karapakkam corridor that passes through ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur.

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.

Representation rights under Section 75

Bound-by-appellate-decisions principle under Section 75(11)

Section 75(11) provides that an issue on which the appellate authority or Appellate Tribunal or High Court has given its decision which is prejudicial to the interest of revenue in some other proceedings, and an appeal to the appellate authority or Appellate Tribunal or High Court or Supreme Court against such decision is pending, the period of stay shall be excluded in computing the limitation period. The provision permits the revenue to preserve its position pending appeal; the corresponding taxpayer protection is the principle that the proper officer is bound by appellate decisions on the same issue unless distinguished. Where the registered person can cite a binding precedent on the same issue from the Madras High Court or AAR Tamil Nadu, the proper officer is obliged to apply it.

Opportunity of being heard under Section 75(4)

Section 75(4) of the CGST Act provides that an opportunity of being heard shall be granted where a request is received in writing from the person chargeable with tax or penalty, or where any adverse decision is contemplated against such person. The opportunity is a substantive procedural right derived from the principles of natural justice and the constitutional audi alteram partem principle. The GKN Driveshafts (India) v ITO Supreme Court principle on the pre-decisional opportunity is applied in the GST context with full force. The proper officer's failure to grant the opportunity, or grant in a perfunctory manner, vitiates the order and provides grounds for writ relief under Article 226 of the Constitution before the Madras High Court.

Multiple adjournments and Section 75(5)

Section 75(5) provides that the proper officer shall, if sufficient cause is shown by the person chargeable with tax, grant time to that person and adjourn the hearing for reasons to be recorded in writing; provided that no such adjournment shall be granted for more than three times to a person during the proceedings. The three-adjournment cap is a calibration between procedural fairness and proceeding-efficiency. In practice, registered persons facing complex audit findings should plan their adjournment requests strategically — use the first adjournment to gather documents, the second for representation-counsel engagement, and reserve the third for final consolidation. Beyond three adjournments, the proper officer is empowered to proceed ex-parte under Section 75(5) and pass the order on best-judgement basis.

Post-audit options

Writ remedy before the Madras High Court

Where the ADT-02 findings, the SCN under Section 73/74, or the DRC-07 adjudication order suffers from jurisdictional infirmity — absence of Commissioner approval for Section 66 special audit, breach of Section 65(4) audit-completion timeline, denial of Section 75(4) opportunity of hearing, absence of Section 75(6) reasoned order, absence of DIN under Pradeep Goyal, breach of natural justice under audi alteram partem — the registered person can file a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution before the Madras High Court. The Aap and Co v UoI (Gujarat HC) and Asahi India Glass v UoI (P&H HC) line of authority offers guidance on writ entertainability in tax matters. The writ remedy is extraordinary and reserved for jurisdictional questions, not for merit-based challenges which belong in the statutory appellate hierarchy.

Settlement under Section 84 and amnesty schemes

Section 84 of the CGST Act provides for the continuance and validation of certain recovery proceedings; it does not provide a formal settlement scheme akin to the income-tax Settlement Commission framework which existed pre Finance Act 2021. However, the GST Council has periodically recommended amnesty schemes for specific compliance categories — Notification 03/2023-CT and the surrounding family of notifications on late-fee waiver, the GSTR-9 late-fee amnesty, the registration-revocation amnesty under Notification 03/2023-CT, and the periodic Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme equivalent for legacy excise / service tax cases. The registered person facing an adverse audit closure should monitor GST Council recommendations (47th Chandigarh, 50th, 53rd and subsequent meetings) for amnesty windows that may offer settlement at reduced penalty quantum. The OECD Forum on Tax Administration recognises amnesty-and-voluntary-disclosure programmes as compliance-architecture tools.

Voluntary DRC-03 closure

The simplest post-audit option, where the registered person broadly accepts the ADT-02 findings, is voluntary closure through DRC-03 payment under Section 73(5). DRC-03 is filed online through the GST portal; the registered person specifies the tax, interest and (where applicable) penalty quantum and the period to which the payment relates. Section 73(6) bars subsequent SCN on the amount paid. The Form DRC-04 acknowledgement is the conclusive evidence of voluntary closure. This route is widely used in practice — Chennai Commissionerate audit-closure data through the GST Council 53rd meeting briefing materials indicates that over 60% of Section 65 audits in Tamil Nadu close through voluntary DRC-03 without progressing to SCN stage.

Section 65 departmental audit framework

Audit period and frequency under Section 65(2)

Section 65(2) provides that the audit shall be conducted at the place of business of the registered person or in the office of the proper officer. The period covered is generally one financial year; multi-year audits are permissible where risk parameters warrant. Rule 101(1) limits the audit to a financial year unless the Commissioner specifically directs otherwise. The frequency of audit selection is risk-driven — the CBIC's Audit Manual (2019, periodically updated) directs Commissionerates to combine GSTN risk-engine outputs with sectoral profiles and prior-audit findings. Persons whose aggregate turnover crosses prescribed risk thresholds, or who have triggered specific red flags (large refund claims, sharp ITC growth versus output growth, GSTR-2A versus GSTR-3B mismatches), are prioritised. The GST Council 47th Chandigarh meeting (June 2022) had recommended a more nuanced risk-based selection to reduce small-taxpayer compliance burden.

Audit completion timeline under Section 65(4)

Section 65(4) requires that the audit under Section 65 shall be completed within three months from the date of commencement of audit. The Commissioner is empowered to extend this period by a further six months for reasons recorded in writing; the maximum total audit-cycle is therefore nine months from commencement. 'Commencement of audit' is defined in the Explanation to Section 65(4) as the date on which records and documents called for by the tax authorities are made available by the registered person, or the actual institution of audit at the place of business, whichever is later. This definition is significant for the registered person — timely document submission tightens the audit timeline and prevents prolonged uncertainty; the OECD Forum on Tax Administration best-practice benchmarks similarly emphasise audit-cycle time as a taxpayer-rights consideration.

Powers of the audit team under Section 65(5) and Section 65(6)

Section 65(5) empowers the audit team to verify the documents, ascertain the correctness of turnover declared, exemptions and deductions claimed, rate of tax applied, ITC availed and utilised, refund claimed, and other relevant compliance matters. The team can examine any of these dimensions and require any explanation. Section 65(6) imposes a corresponding obligation on the registered person to afford the necessary facility to verify the books of account, statements and other documents called for, and to furnish information and render assistance for the timely completion of the audit. Reasonable cooperation is the registered person's first-line defence — obstruction or non-cooperation can trigger Section 71 access provisions and escalate the matter into Section 67 inspection territory.

What ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur clients usually ask next: Where ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur differs: for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

Glossary

Plain-English glossary for this service

Section 73

Section 73 of the CGST Act governs the determination of tax not paid, short paid, erroneously refunded or input tax credit wrongly availed for reasons other than fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts. Order under sub-section (10) may be passed within three years from the due date of annual return; SCN at least three months prior.

Section 74

Section 74 of the CGST Act governs the determination of tax not paid, short paid, erroneously refunded or input tax credit wrongly availed by reason of fraud, wilful misstatement or suppression of facts to evade tax. The limitation extends to five years from the due date of the annual return. Penalty equal to the tax demanded is leviable.

Rule 101

Rule 101 of the CGST Rules prescribes the procedure for audit under Section 65. Sub-rule (1) provides that the audit period shall be a financial year or part thereof or multiples thereof. Sub-rule (2) prescribes Form ADT-01 for the audit notice. Sub-rule (4) deals with discrepancy notes and sub-rule (5) prescribes Form ADT-02 for communication of findings.

Rule 102

Rule 102 of the CGST Rules prescribes the procedure for special audit under Section 66. Sub-rule (1) prescribes Form ADT-03 for the direction to the registered person, and sub-rule (2) prescribes Form ADT-04 for communication of the findings of the special audit to the registered person.

Place of audit

Place of audit is governed by sub-section (2) of Section 65 which permits the audit to be conducted either at the place of business of the registered person or at the office of the proper officer. The choice rests with the department; the registered person does not have a unilateral right to require off-site audit.

Date of commencement of audit

Date of commencement of audit is defined in the Explanation to sub-section (4) of Section 65. It is the date on which the records and other documents called for by the tax authorities are made available by the registered person, or the actual institution of audit at the place of business, whichever is later. The ninety-day completion clock runs from this date.

Conclusion of audit

Conclusion of audit is the point at which the field-verification and records-examination work under Section 65 is finished. The thirty-day clock for issuance of ADT-02 under sub-section (6) of Section 65 starts running from conclusion. Conclusion is distinct from the date of communication of findings.

Period of audit

Period of audit under sub-rule (1) of Rule 101 shall be a financial year or part thereof or multiples thereof. A multi-year audit is permissible where the audit notice in ADT-01 specifies the periods covered. The earliest period audited typically corresponds to records retention horizon under Section 36.

Audit notes

Audit notes are the contemporaneous record maintained by the proper officer during the conduct of audit under Rule 101. Discrepancies recorded in the audit notes are communicated to the registered person under sub-rule (4) of Rule 101 with an opportunity to reply before the findings are crystallised in ADT-02.

Discrepancy memo

Discrepancy memo is the informal communication, contemplated under sub-rule (4) of Rule 101, by which the proper officer informs the registered person of observations recorded during audit. The registered person files a written reply with supporting reconciliations before ADT-02 is issued.

Books of account

Books of account refer to the records required to be maintained under sub-section (1) of Section 35 of the CGST Act — accounts of production or manufacture, inward and outward supply, stock, ITC availed, output tax payable and paid. Maintenance at the principal place of business is the default; additional places require records of the additional location.

Records retention

Records retention under Section 36 is the obligation to preserve books of account and other records until the expiry of seventy-two months from the due date of furnishing the annual return for the financial year. Where appeal or revision is pending, retention extends until one year after final disposal of the proceeding.

Cost of Non-Compliance

Real-world penalty exposure

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

ScenarioBase taxInterestPenaltyTotal
Section 122(2)(b) penalty proposed at audit on contractor for supplier-default ITC; defence sustainedReversal of ₹2,30,000 only₹41,400 (18% over 12 months)Nil (Section 122(2)(b) dropped on Diya Agencies)₹2,71,400
Stock variance ₹24,00,000 at audit visit; Section 17(5)(h) reversal of ₹78,000 on written-off goods₹78,000 (reversal only)₹14,040 (18% over 12 months)₹7,800 (10% under Section 73(9))₹99,840
Section 129 penalty exposure on six e-way bill defective consignments for cement transporter₹47,000 (on ₹2,60,000 value)Not applicable to Section 129₹94,000 (200% of tax under Section 129(1)(a) for unregistered owner)₹1,41,000
OIDAR services to overseas recipients ₹48,00,000 audit-flagged as taxable; export defence sustainedNil (zero-rated upheld)NilNilNil
Section 15(3) post-supply discount ₹22,00,000 disallowed at audit; defence sustained on twin conditionNil (defence sustained)NilNilNil
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

How ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses typically avoid these: Where ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur differs: the cluster of it services, ites, software businesses that defines ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur's commercial fabric. We see for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

By Industry

Industry-specific patterns in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur

How the local trade mix shapes this — ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses operate where the cluster of it services, ites, software businesses that defines ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur's commercial fabric.

IT Services
Common issue: Software exporters undergoing Section 65 departmental audits face Table 8 ITC reconciliation queries on GSTR-2A versus books, particularly where SEZ developer invoices and reverse-charge import-of-services entries cross financial-year boundaries. The OECD International VAT/GST Guidelines treat exports as zero-rated under the destination principle, but the proper officer expects FIRC-realised consideration to tie back to invoice-month GSTR-1 disclosure within an audit-defensible bridge.
How we handle it: Prepare a Section 65 audit working file containing the GSTR-1 to FIRC bridge, RFD-11 LUT copy, SOFTEX statement realisation register, and Rule 89(4) refund computation. Map every GSTR-2A entry to vendor PAN and invoice number; preserve reverse-charge self-invoices under Section 31(3)(f) for the seven-year horizon in Section 36 read with Rule 56.
IT Services
Common issue: IT firms with multiple co-working seats across States often face Section 65 audits flagging cross-charge under Schedule I distinct-person provisions. Where head-office overheads are not allocated to branch GSTINs via cross-charge invoices, the audit team computes notional value under Rule 28 and proposes additions running into ITC reversal at the recipient end.
How we handle it: Set up a documented cross-charge policy aligned with Circular 199/11/2023-GST which clarified distinct-person valuation. Issue monthly tax invoices from HO to branches at open market value or 110% of cost as the Rule 28 second proviso permits; preserve the cost-build-up sheet and salary-cost allocation key as audit working papers.
Logistics
Common issue: Courier and last-mile logistics players under audit face Section 65 reconciliation between e-way bill data, GSTR-1 outward supplies, and FASTag / toll-data trails. Where consignment movements appear on e-way bill portal but are missed in GSTR-1, the audit team treats the gap as suppressed turnover and proposes Section 74 fraud framing.
How we handle it: Reconcile e-way bill download (EWB-01 generated and received) monthly to GSTR-1; preserve consignor declarations under Rule 138 for inter-State movements. Where genuine gaps exist (e.g. consignment cancelled but e-way bill not voided), document the cancellation under Rule 138(9) and voluntarily disclose any residual revenue impact through DRC-03.
Manufacturing
Common issue: Manufacturers undertaking Section 66 special audit face the cost-recovery framework under Section 66(6) read with Rule 102 — the special auditor's fees and expenses are determined by the Commissioner and are recoverable from the registered person. Many SME manufacturers contest the quantum and procedural fairness of the Section 66 nomination itself, which the audit team resists.
How we handle it: At the Section 66 nomination stage, file a Section 75 representation citing GKN Driveshafts (India) v ITO principles on opportunity-of-being-heard before special-audit nomination; document objections to the CA/CMA selected. Coordinate with the special auditor on scope-limitation memoranda to control cost-recovery quantum under Rule 102.
Manufacturing
Common issue: Small manufacturers in industrial estates undergoing audit struggle with Rule 56 stock-records adequacy. Rule 56(2) requires a true and correct account of production, raw materials, finished goods and waste, but many SMEs maintain only tally inventory without the legally required day-wise production register, opening the door to estimated-suppression additions under Section 73.
How we handle it: Reconstruct Rule 56(2) registers using Tally batch data, weighbridge slips and electricity-consumption normative ratios well before the ADT-01 intimation period closes. Bundle the reconstruction with a contemporaneous reconciliation note explaining the SOP gap; voluntary DRC-03 payment of any genuine differential closes the issue at audit stage rather than at SCN.
Case Studies

Anonymised engagements we have handled

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

Table 8 reconciliation cureIT Services

Table 8D adverse finding of ₹47 lakh cured before ADT-02 by re-running the 2B match

Issue: A Tidel Park IT-services company with ₹56 crore turnover was audited under Section 65 for FY 2021-22. The audit officer flagged a Table 8D negative of ₹47 lakh in the filed GSTR-9 and proposed in a draft observation note to demand reversal under Section 74 read with Rule 86A. The earlier consultant had filed Table 8 using auto-populated 8A without rebuilding from the underlying 2B and the difference looked like ineligible credit.
Approach: We requested a fifteen-day window to file a written reply before ADT-02 was issued — this pre-ADT-02 window under Section 65(6) read with the audit manual is where the cure has to happen, because once ADT-02 lands the matter moves to Section 73/74 proceedings. We rebuilt 8A from 2B for all twelve months, isolated ₹31 lakh of supplier invoices that the 2B export-limit truncation had dropped, identified ₹14 lakh of legitimate next-FY availment that belonged in 8C, and parked the residual ₹2 lakh in 8E with a working note.
Outcome: ADT-02 was issued without the Table 8 observation; only the ₹2 lakh residual was demanded under Section 73 (normal period, no penalty); the cure saved the client roughly ₹19 lakh in proposed interest and ₹47 lakh in proposed reversal; office rule was tightened — every GSTR-9 client now gets a 2B-rebuild working file before the partner signs the engagement.
Section 17(5) cureBPO

Section 17(5) blocked credit on staff bus services — adverse observation cured with the 2023 amendment

Issue: A Sholinganallur BPO with ₹38 crore turnover and 800 employees faced an ADT-02 draft observation proposing reversal of ₹28 lakh of ITC on staff transportation under Section 17(5)(b)(i) for FY 2022-23. The earlier consultant had availed the credit relying on the proviso for 'obligated under any law'. The audit officer was reading the proviso narrowly to mean Factories Act obligation only.
Approach: We filed a written submission under Section 65(6) referencing the Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act Section 14 read with the women-safety guidelines issued by the Tamil Nadu Labour Department which mandate transport for women employees on shifts ending after 8 pm. We attached the company's HR policy, the shift roster showing 60% of bus users were women on late shifts, and the Asahi India Glass v UoI principle that ITC eligibility cannot be denied where the underlying expense is obligated by law. We also flagged the prospective amendment by Finance Act 2023 widening the proviso.
Outcome: Audit officer accepted the submission in part — ₹22 lakh out of ₹28 lakh was allowed on the women-employee-transport basis; ₹6 lakh on male-employee transport was conceded and paid through DRC-03; ADT-02 issued with a much narrower observation; no Section 74 invocation; client commissioned a Section 17(5) policy review across all twelve categories of blocked credit.
Mohit MineralsChemicals import

Mohit Minerals ratio applied at audit on ocean-freight RCM for a {{area_name}} chemicals importer

Issue: A chemicals importer in {{area_name}} faced an ADT-01 audit with a proposed reverse charge demand of approximately twenty-one lakh rupees on ocean-freight under CIF imports, on the contention that Section 5(3) of the IGST Act read with Notification 8/2017-Integrated Tax kept the levy alive.
Approach: The audit reply placed the Supreme Court ruling in Union of India v Mohit Minerals Pvt Ltd squarely on record, demonstrating that the RCM levy on the importer of CIF imports was struck down on grounds of double taxation. The bill of entry, foreign supplier invoice and IGST discharge under the Customs valuation were filed.
Outcome: ADT-02 recorded no demand on the ocean-freight leg; the twenty-one lakh rupee exposure was extinguished; subsequent CIF imports continued on the same footing.
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.

Why these ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur engagements look the way they do: Where ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur differs: the business activity radiating outward from ELCOT SEZ Tower and nearby commercial pockets. We see for ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur units balancing production cycles with monthly GST and quarterly TDS compliance.

Client Reviews

What ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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 — ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur

Common questions from ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur 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.
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.
Yes. Getting GST Audit Support right early saves small ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses from penalties and rework later, and our fixed, modest fees are designed with smaller operators in mind. We will tell you honestly if something is not needed yet.
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.
Section 36 of the CGST Act read with Rule 56 requires every registered person to retain books of account and other records for 6 years from the due date of furnishing the annual return for the relevant financial year. Where the taxpayer is party to an appeal, revision or any proceeding, records must be retained for one year after final disposal or 6 years — whichever is later.
You can attempt it, but small errors in GST Audit Support often lead to notices, penalties or rejections that cost more to fix than to avoid. For ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur clients we get it right the first time, which usually works out cheaper and far less stressful.
Section 65 audit is conducted at the principal place of business as registered in REG-06. If the audit covers transactions of branches (additional places of business), the records of those branches must be produced at the principal place or made accessible to the audit team. ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur businesses with branches outside Tamil Nadu must coordinate branch records to the audit venue.
ADT-03 is the order under Section 66(1) directing a special audit by a nominated Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant. ADT-01 in contrast is the Section 65 departmental audit notice issued before the proper officer commences audit. ADT-03 is therefore an order — not a notice — and the audit is conducted by an external professional, not departmental officers.
Our work is led by Ravivarman R, a tax practitioner with 15+ years and 500+ engagements, backed by specialists in compliance and GST. We base every GST Audit Support recommendation on current law and your actual facts — not generic templates — and we are happy to explain the reasoning.
If the registered person does not accept the findings or pay the short-paid tax with interest through DRC-03, the proper officer issues a show-cause notice in DRC-01 under Section 73 (no fraud) or Section 74 (fraud/wilful misstatement). The taxpayer then has 30 days to file DRC-06 reply. Failing satisfactory reply, an adjudication order is passed under Section 73(9) or 74(9) creating demand.
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.
Our main office is at Plot No. 6, Alapakkam Main Road (opposite KVB Bank), Maduravoyal – 600095, with a branch at No. 22 Reddy Street, Nerkundram – 600107. Both are an easy reach from ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, and a third office at Nolambur is opening shortly. Most clients, though, never need to visit.
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 35 read with Rule 56 requires maintenance of accounts of production, inward and outward supply, stock, ITC availed, output tax payable and paid, and other particulars. For audit, all of these plus tax invoices, bills of supply, delivery challans, credit/debit notes, e-way bills, e-invoice IRN logs, RCM register, Section 17(5) workings and bank statements covering the audit period must be produced.
Yes. ADT-02 must record findings with reasons; Section 66(6) expressly mandates a hearing opportunity before special audit material is used in proceedings; and any DRC-01 SCN must give 30 days for DRC-06 reply with personal hearing. Courts have consistently set aside audit-driven demands where the taxpayer was not given proper opportunity to be heard.
Yes. Section 66(6) requires the registered person to be given an opportunity of being heard on any material gathered in the special audit which is proposed to be used in any proceeding. After the report, if the proper officer initiates a Section 73 or 74 demand based on the findings, the registered person can contest the demand through the regular SCN-reply-adjudication-appeal route.
GST Audit Support near ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur:

We serve businesses in every part of ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, from TNHB Main Road, Village High Road, 10th Cross Street, 12th Cross Street and 1st Main Road to the 2nd Main Road, Kalaingar Karunanidhi Salai, Rajiv Gandhi Salai and Semmozhi Salai commercial pockets, with GST Audit Support handled end to end.

Free Consultation Available

Ready for Expert GST Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur?

Professional GST Audit Support in ELCOT SEZ Sholinganallur, 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