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Thousand Lights Bus Stop catchment · Thousand Lights GST Audit Support

GST Audit Support in Thousand Lights, Chennai

the business activity radiating outward from Thousand Lights Mosque and nearby commercial pockets — with WhatsApp-first document intake

Handling GST Audit Support for Thousand Lights and Nungambakkam clients — transparent scope, no surprises, and a filed acknowledgement back to you. Call 9566-068-468.

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Quick Answer

What happens if findings in ADT-02 are ignored in Thousand Lights, Chennai?

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.

Transparent Pricing

GST Audit Support in Thousand Lights — 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 Thousand Lights Clients Choose FilingPro

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

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 Thousand Lights 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)).

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.

Key Benefits

What Thousand Lights Clients Get

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

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.
Special Audit Cost Borne by Department
Where Section 66 special audit is ordered, the cost of the nominated CA is borne by the Commissioner under Section 66(5) — not by the taxpayer. Thousand Lights clients pay only FilingPro's coordination and representation fee.
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 Thousand Lights 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.
Comparison

Section 65 (Departmental) vs Section 66 (Special)

Why this matters here — Across Thousand Lights, the cluster of hospitality, healthcare, banking businesses that defines Thousand Lights's commercial fabric. Practitioners note that served by short connections to Nungambakkam and Greams Road and onward to central Chennai.

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

Documents for GST Audit Support

Share documents via WhatsApp to 9566-068-468. No office visit required for Thousand Lights 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
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Statutory Deadlines

Compliance deadlines that matter

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

Deadlines in this neighbourhood — Across Thousand Lights, the business activity radiating outward from Thousand Lights Mosque 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.
Pre-SCN intimation in Form DRC-01A served by proper officer post-audit30 daysDRC-01A Part B reply or DRC-03 paymentAcceptance route closes after thirty days; matter proceeds to formal SCN under Section 73 or 74
ADT-02 closure with no demandOn due dateNo further form — file the ADT-02 in recordsClosure of departmental audit for the period covered; subsequent re-audit barred unless fresh material under Section 67 emerges
Direction for special audit issued in Form GST ADT-0390 daysNominee auditor report to Assistant CommissionerNominee chartered accountant or cost accountant must submit audit report within ninety days; extension up to a further ninety days on material and sufficient reasons

Deadline pressure points we see in Thousand Lights: Where Thousand Lights differs: for Thousand Lights IT-services firms managing export-LUT cycles alongside payroll and TDS.

Forms Library

Forms used in this engagement

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 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)

GST Audit Support in Thousand Lights, Chennai 600006

We keep a cycle-by-cycle record of how the Mylapore Division of the Chennai South handles Thousand Lights filings and approvals. Approvals, acknowledgements and queries for Thousand Lights businesses tie back to the Mylapore Division, so our GST Audit Support cadence accounts for how that office works. Businesses registered in Thousand Lights share the Chennai South jurisdiction, and their statutory matters route through the same Mylapore Division each time. Thousand Lights (PIN 600006) falls under the Mylapore Division of the Chennai South, the jurisdiction that handles statutory matters for businesses at this PIN.

The businesses clustered around Thousand Lights Mosque in Thousand Lights drive the bulk of the GST Audit Support workload we see each cycle. Working in Thousand Lights brings a logistical edge: proximity to Thousand Lights Mosque and the Thousand Lights Bus Stop corridor keeps physical document handling fast. The central business and hospitality area mix of Thousand Lights shapes what lands in our workpapers — a blend of retail activity and the commercial pulse around Thousand Lights Mosque. Most commerce in Thousand Lights — invoices, expenses, purchases and statutory records — eventually surfaces in the GST Audit Support working file we maintain for clients here.

Mixed hospitality activity across Thousand Lights means our GST Audit Support team keeps sector playbooks ready rather than improvising per client. A hospitality operator in Thousand Lights gets a GST Audit Support workflow shaped by sector norms, not a one-size-fits-all template. GST Audit Support for hospitality businesses in Thousand Lights hinges on getting the sector's recurring entries right the first time. For a hospitality business in Thousand Lights, the GST Audit Support scope is rarely generic; we tailor the checklist to how that sector actually transacts.

The qualified-review step on every Thousand Lights GST Audit Support file is where errors get caught before they reach the portal. Document intake for Thousand Lights clients runs over WhatsApp, so there is no office visit and no paper shuffle for a GST Audit Support engagement. Our Thousand Lights GST Audit Support process is built to be predictable, documented, and on time, cycle after cycle. Turnaround for Thousand Lights GST Audit Support is deterministic — fixed fee, a scoped timeline, and a same-business-day acknowledgement once filed.

Businesses straddling Thousand Lights and Teynampet get a single GST Audit Support point of contact rather than two. From the same Thousand Lights team we also serve Teynampet and other nearby localities without re-onboarding clients. Coverage from Thousand Lights naturally extends to Teynampet, so group entities across the area share one GST Audit Support workflow. Group companies spread across Thousand Lights and Teynampet consolidate their GST Audit Support under one engagement with us.

Sector signals in Thousand Lights — seasonal retail swings and peak-period volumes — shape how we schedule GST Audit Support work. The longer we serve Thousand Lights, the more precisely we predict where a GST Audit Support file needs attention. Over several cycles in Thousand Lights, the recurring GST Audit Support issues cluster around a predictable short list we screen for early. Recurring gaps in Thousand Lights retail records are the first thing our GST Audit Support review closes out.

When a Greams Road business expands into Thousand Lights, we extend its GST Audit Support setup to PIN 600006 without disruption. Incorporating in Thousand Lights comes with jurisdiction, registration and GST Audit Support steps that we sequence so nothing stalls the launch. Relocating a registered office into Thousand Lights (PIN 600006) changes the assessing division, and we handle that GST Audit Support transition cleanly. For a new business incorporating in Thousand Lights or shifting its principal place of business here, GST Audit Support setup is one of the first things to get right.

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Expert Guide

GST Audit Support in Thousand Lights — Complete Guide

For Thousand Lights 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 Thousand Lights, Chennai

Section 65 departmental audit and Section 66 special audit representation for Thousand Lights 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 Thousand Lights — Section 65 and Section 66 Expert

A dedicated GST audit consultant in Thousand Lights 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 Thousand Lights

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 Thousand Lights — Above ₹5 Crore Turnover

For Thousand Lights 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 Thousand Lights. WhatsApp documents — we begin within 24 hours. From ₹5,000/one-time. Free consultation.
WhatsApp for Free Consultation Call @ 9566-068-468
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Key Facts — GST Audit Support in Thousand Lights
Section 65 departmental audit handled end-to-end for Thousand Lights 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 Thousand Lights 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 Thousand Lights
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.
Can a Section 66 special audit be ordered during an investigation?

Yes. Section 66(1) permits ordering a special audit at any stage of scrutiny, enquiry, investigation or any other proceeding under the Act. The threshold satisfaction on incorrect value or abnormal credit must be recorded in writing before issuing ADT-03.

What procedural protection does the taxpayer enjoy in a Section 66 process?

Sub-section (3) of Section 66 mandates a fair hearing before any material drawn from the special audit can be turned against the taxpayer. This pre-decisional opportunity is treated as jurisdictional; breach is routinely cured through Article 226 writ jurisdiction of the Madras High Court.

Is GST applicable on transactions covered by Schedule III?

No. Schedule III to the CGST Act 2017 lists activities or transactions that are treated as neither supply of goods nor services, including services by employees in the course of employment, high-sea sales by endorsement before clearance, and certain other specified transactions.

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.

What Thousand Lights clients want to know before signing: Where Thousand Lights differs: around the Thousand Lights Mosque catchment of Thousand Lights.

Expert Guide

A complete walkthrough — Gst Audit Support

Reading this guide locally — Across Thousand Lights, in the central business and hospitality area micro-market of Thousand Lights.

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 65 departmental audit framework

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.

Initiation under Section 65(1) and ADT-01 intimation

Section 65(1) of the CGST Act empowers the Commissioner, or any officer authorised by general or specific order, to undertake audit of any registered person for such period, at such frequency and in such manner as may be prescribed. Rule 101(2) of the CGST Rules read with Section 65(3) requires that the registered person be given not less than fifteen working days prior notice of audit through Form GST ADT-01. The ADT-01 intimation specifies the period proposed to be audited (typically one financial year, occasionally a longer span) and the documents to be made available — books of account, invoices, declarations, returns, GSTR-9C reconciliation statement, internal-audit reports if any. The fifteen-day window is the registered person's opportunity to gather records and seek extension on documented grounds; Rule 101(3) implicitly contemplates such extensions where genuinely warranted.

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.

Section 66 special audit by CA / CMA

Independence of Section 66 from prior audits or returns acceptance

Section 66(6) is a critical safeguard from the revenue's perspective — it provides that nothing in Section 66 shall be construed to debar the registered person from filing returns or paying tax, or to debar the proper officer from taking any action against the registered person under any other provision. The provision is non-derogating; a Section 66 special audit can be invoked even after a Section 65 departmental audit has been completed, where the proper officer forms a fresh opinion on value or credit complexity. Comparative jurisprudence in pre-GST excise (similar provision in Section 14A of the Central Excise Act before its omission) and service tax (Section 72A of the Finance Act 1994) had similar non-derogation features. The registered person's defence at the Section 66 stage rests primarily on the Section 75 opportunity-of-being-heard and the nature-of-complexity threshold.

Comparative framework — special audit in income tax and GST

The income-tax framework has a parallel under Section 142(2A) of the Income Tax Act 1961 — special audit can be directed where the Assessing Officer, having regard to the nature and complexity of the accounts, the volume of accounts, doubts about the correctness of the accounts, multiplicity of transactions in the accounts or specialised nature of business activity, is of the opinion that it is necessary in the interests of revenue. Pre-GST excise had Section 14A; service tax had Section 72A. The architectural unity across these provisions is that special audit is a complexity-triggered intervention requiring a substantive opinion plus a procedural safeguard. The OECD Forum on Tax Administration documents a similar 'specialist audit' tier in several mature tax jurisdictions, reserved for complex high-revenue cases.

Trigger conditions under Section 66(1)

Section 66(1) of the CGST Act provides that if at any stage of scrutiny, inquiry, investigation or any other proceedings, any officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner, having regard to the nature and complexity of the case and the interest of revenue, is of the opinion that the value has not been correctly declared or the credit availed is not within the normal limits, he may, with the prior approval of the Commissioner, direct such registered person by communication in writing to get his records including books of account examined and audited by a Chartered Accountant or a Cost Accountant as may be nominated by the Commissioner. The trigger requires both a substantive opinion (value mis-declaration or abnormal credit) and a procedural pre-condition (Commissioner's prior approval); the registered person can challenge either limb in a Section 75 representation.

ADT-01 intimation

Responding to ADT-01 — documentation readiness

Upon receipt of ADT-01, the registered person's first task is to map the document-schedule against actual maintained records and identify any gaps. Where records are incomplete (typically Rule 56 stock registers, Rule 89 refund working papers, or reverse-charge self-invoices under Section 31(3)(f)), the fifteen-day window is the opportunity for reconstruction. The Goetze (India) v CIT (2006) Supreme Court principle on the inability to make fresh claims outside the return framework (decided in the income-tax context) is sometimes invoked at the audit stage to deny ITC claims not appearing in original returns; the counter-position rests on Section 16(4) timeline arguments and the principle that audit is a verification not a re-assessment. Document submission within the fifteen-day window aligns the formal commencement of audit under Section 65(4) Explanation and tightens the three-month closure clock.

Seeking extension of the audit-commencement date

Where genuine grounds exist — pending statutory audit of financial statements, key personnel unavailability, or recent migration of accounting systems — the registered person can seek extension of the audit commencement date by written representation. The audit team has administrative discretion under Rule 101 to grant reasonable extensions, generally up to thirty additional days; longer extensions require Commissioner-level approval. The extension must be sought before the proposed commencement date and supported by documentary evidence (statutory auditor engagement letter, employee leave records, ERP migration plans). The OECD Forum on Tax Administration best-practice benchmarks recognise such extensions as a taxpayer-rights safeguard, balanced against the audit-closure timeline.

Risk-engine selection and audit-pool composition

ADT-01 intimations are not randomly issued; selection is driven by the GSTN risk engine combined with CBIC Audit Manual sectoral profiles. The risk engine factors include sharp variances between GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, between GSTR-2A and GSTR-3B Table 4(A), between GSTR-9 and audited financial statements (via GSTR-9C), unusually high refund claims, sector-specific red flags (e.g. inverted-duty sectors, real-estate developers under Notification 03/2019-CT(R)), and prior-audit findings. The risk-based architecture aligns with the GST Council 47th and 53rd meeting recommendations on focusing enforcement on high-risk taxpayer cohorts while reducing nuisance audits of compliant small taxpayers. Knowing one's risk-profile drivers helps the registered person anticipate audit topics and prepare working papers accordingly.

What Thousand Lights clients usually ask next: Where Thousand Lights differs: for Thousand Lights IT-services firms managing export-LUT cycles alongside payroll and TDS.

Glossary

Plain-English glossary for this service

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.

Section 66

Section 66 of the CGST Act is the special audit provision. The officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner, with prior approval of the Commissioner, may direct the registered person to get his records audited by a chartered accountant or cost accountant nominated by the Commissioner. The procedure is set out in Rule 102.

Section 35

Section 35 of the CGST Act is the records-maintenance provision. Sub-section (1) requires every registered person to keep and maintain books of account and records at the principal place of business. Sub-section (5), now omitted with effect from 1 August 2021, earlier required mandatory audit by a chartered accountant for turnover above the prescribed threshold.

Section 36

Section 36 of the CGST Act is the records-retention provision. Every registered person required to maintain accounts 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 financial year pertaining to the records. Pending appeal or revision extends the retention period.

Section 67

Section 67 of the CGST Act is the inspection, search and seizure provision. The proper officer not below the rank of Joint Commissioner, where he has reasons to believe that tax has been suppressed or credit has been wrongly availed with intent to evade tax, may authorise inspection of places of business. Section 67 is a distinct enforcement track and is not the same as the audit jurisdiction under Section 65.

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.

Cost of Non-Compliance

Real-world penalty exposure

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

ScenarioBase taxInterestPenaltyTotal
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
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

How Thousand Lights businesses typically avoid these: Where Thousand Lights differs: the cluster of hospitality, healthcare, banking businesses that defines Thousand Lights's commercial fabric. We see for Thousand Lights IT-services firms managing export-LUT cycles alongside payroll and TDS.

By Industry

Industry-specific patterns in Thousand Lights

How the local trade mix shapes this — Across Thousand Lights, the cluster of hospitality, healthcare, banking businesses that defines Thousand Lights's commercial fabric.

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.
Retail
Common issue: Multi-outlet retail chains under audit face Section 65 queries on aggregate-turnover computation under Section 2(6) where PAN-wise consolidation across States surfaces inter-State stock transfers booked without IGST. Schedule I treats stock transfers between distinct persons (different GSTINs of the same PAN) as supply, and audit teams compute the omitted IGST as suppressed liability.
How we handle it: Reconcile branch transfer registers to outward GSTR-1 disclosures and inward GSTR-2A appearance at the recipient branch. Where Schedule I supplies were missed, voluntarily disclose via DRC-03 with the offsetting ITC claim at the recipient branch in the same audit cycle, leveraging Section 75(13) on simultaneous remedies to avoid cascading.
Hospitality
Common issue: Hotel and restaurant chains face Section 65 audit issues on the dual-rate restaurant scheme (5% without ITC versus 18% with ITC for specified non-standalone restaurants per Notification 11/2017-CT(R) as amended). Mid-year scheme-switching, or restaurants within hotels charging room tariff above ₹7,500 per day, frequently leads to ITC eligibility disputes.
How we handle it: Maintain a daily room-tariff register evidencing the ₹7,500 threshold determination month-wise; lock in the restaurant scheme at financial-year start and avoid intra-year switching. For aggregator (Zomato/Swiggy) supplies under Section 9(5), reconcile aggregator-collected output GST against own GSTR-1 disclosure to avoid double-counting allegations.
Real Estate
Common issue: Commercial property owners with multi-tenant rentals under audit face Rule 42 apportionment scrutiny where residential portions (exempt) and commercial portions (taxable at 18% under SAC 9972) coexist in the same building. The audit team also examines TDS under Section 51 where government tenants are involved, often computing TDS credit in cash ledger against output.
How we handle it: Segregate ITC at building level into residential-exclusive, commercial-exclusive and common-use buckets per Rule 42 architecture. For government tenants deducting Section 51 GST TDS, reconcile GSTR-7A certificates with cash-ledger credit monthly and ensure offset within the audit period; preserve all REG-07 deductor records.
Engineering
Common issue: Engineering job-work units under Section 65 audit face Section 143 read with Rule 45 ITC-04 quarterly compliance scrutiny. Goods sent by the principal manufacturer to the job worker beyond one year (inputs) or three years (capital goods) are deemed supplied on the original date; engineering units often delay ITC-04 disclosure and face cascading interest under Section 50.
How we handle it: File ITC-04 quarterly within the prescribed timeline (25 days from quarter end for aggregate turnover above ₹5 crore; half-yearly otherwise per Notification 35/2021-CT). Reconcile delivery-challan registers with job-worker GSTR-2A entries; for window-lapsed goods, compute deemed-supply value under Rule 28 and pay through DRC-03 voluntarily.
Case Studies

Anonymised engagements we have handled

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

Rule 42 reversalHealthcare

Section 17(2) common-credit reversal under Rule 42 defended at audit for a {{area_name}} mixed-supply hospital

Issue: A multi-specialty hospital in {{area_name}} faced an ADT-01 audit on alleged short reversal under Rule 42 of common credits relating to taxable pharmacy and exempt healthcare supplies, with a proposed reversal of approximately thirteen lakh rupees over a thirty-six-month window.
Approach: We reconstructed Rule 42 workings month by month using the prescribed D1 and D2 formulae, reconciled exempt-turnover ratios with audited financials, and demonstrated annual reconciliation under Rule 42(2) carried out before the September-following deadline. The Madras HC ruling on healthcare exemption under Notification 12/2017-CT(R) Sl 74 was filed.
Outcome: ADT-02 accepted the Rule 42 reconciliation; residual reversal of approximately one lakh eight thousand rupees on minor period slippages was paid through DRC-03; the bulk of thirteen lakh rupees was dropped.
Stock varianceFMCG distribution

Section 65 audit defended on stock variance for a {{area_name}} FMCG distributor

Issue: An FMCG distributor in {{area_name}} faced an ADT-01 audit alleging a stock variance of approximately twenty-four lakh rupees between Section 35 records and the physical-stock register at audit visit, with a proposed deemed-supply demand of approximately four lakh thirty thousand rupees.
Approach: We reconciled the stock variance against in-transit goods, sales-return ageing under Section 34 credit-note treatment, and damaged-stock write-offs supported by insurance claim records. Section 17(5)(h) blocked credit on goods lost, stolen or destroyed was acknowledged and reversed through DRC-03 for the relevant portion.
Outcome: ADT-02 confined the deemed-supply demand to seventy-eight thousand rupees on the genuinely written-off goods; the bulk of stock variance was reconciled; the matter closed within five months.
Section 34 credit-noteConsumer electronics

Section 65 audit on credit-note disclosure defended for a {{area_name}} consumer electronics distributor

Issue: A consumer electronics distributor in {{area_name}} received an ADT-01 audit on alleged non-disclosure of Section 34 credit notes of approximately twenty-nine lakh rupees in GSTR-1 within the September-following outer date, with a proposed deemed-supply demand of approximately five lakh twenty thousand rupees.
Approach: We mapped each credit note against the recipient acknowledgement of ITC reversal under Section 34(2) proviso, demonstrated that the recipient had reversed the credit in the corresponding GSTR-3B, and showed that the supplier-side credit note adjustment was therefore permitted. Original tax invoices and recipient confirmations were filed.
Outcome: ADT-02 accepted the credit-note treatment; the five lakh twenty thousand rupee demand was dropped; the recipient-acknowledgement template was rolled forward as standard practice.
Section 15(3) discountsConsumer durables

Section 65 audit on Section 15(3) discount treatment defended for a {{area_name}} consumer durables seller

Issue: A consumer durables seller in {{area_name}} received an ADT-01 audit on alleged non-deduction of post-supply discounts of approximately twenty-two lakh rupees from taxable value, with a proposed differential tax demand of approximately three lakh ninety-six thousand rupees.
Approach: We mapped each post-supply discount against the Section 15(3)(b) twin condition of pre-supply agreement linkage and recipient ITC reversal proof. Recipient credit-note acknowledgements and the underlying dealership agreement were filed. CBIC Circular 92/11/2019 on discounts and Circular 105/24/2019 (subsequently rescinded) were placed in context.
Outcome: ADT-02 accepted the discount treatment; the three lakh ninety-six thousand rupee differential was dropped; the dealership agreement clauses were tightened to capture future discount-conditions formally.

Why these Thousand Lights engagements look the way they do: Where Thousand Lights differs: the business activity radiating outward from Thousand Lights Mosque and nearby commercial pockets. We see for Thousand Lights IT-services firms managing export-LUT cycles alongside payroll and TDS.

Client Reviews

What Thousand Lights 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
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Common Questions

GST Audit Support FAQ — Thousand Lights

Common questions from Thousand Lights clients. Call 9566-068-468 for specific queries.

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.
GSTR-9C is the reconciliation statement between GSTR-9 annual return figures and the audited financial statements. From FY 2020-21 onwards, registered persons with aggregate turnover above ₹5 crore in a financial year must self-certify and file GSTR-9C alongside GSTR-9 by 31st December of the following year. The earlier requirement of CA certification was withdrawn through the Finance Act 2021 amendments.
Yes. Along with Thousand Lights, we serve Greams Road and the wider Chennai South belt for GST Audit Support. Wherever you are in this part of Chennai, the process and our 9566-068-468 line stay the same.
Yes. GST audit is GSTIN-wise — each registration has its own books, returns and assessment. A Tamil Nadu GSTIN of a multi-state business is audited separately from its Karnataka or Telangana GSTIN by the respective state's CGST or SGST authority. Records must therefore be maintained GSTIN-wise even where the underlying ERP is consolidated.
Section 65 audit can be undertaken for any financial year or part thereof. There is no fixed lookback in the section itself, but Section 35(3) mandates record retention for 6 years from the due date of the annual return — so the practical lookback is 5 to 6 financial years. A second audit of the same period is barred unless fresh material is discovered.
Yes. Beyond GST Audit Support, we cover GST, income tax, TDS, company and LLP registrations, digital signatures, audits and finance documentation — so Thousand Lights clients keep all their compliance under one roof. Ask us about anything on 9566-068-468.
Section 66 allows an Assistant Commissioner (not below this rank) with prior approval of the Commissioner to direct a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant — nominated by the Commissioner — to audit a registered person where the officer is of the opinion that the value declared is not correct or the credit availed is not within the normal limits. The order is issued in ADT-03 and the auditor's report is submitted within 90 days, extendable by another 90 days.
Recurring findings include — ITC mismatch between GSTR-2B and GSTR-3B, Section 17(5) blocked credits wrongly availed (motor vehicles for personal use, food and beverages, club memberships), RCM not paid on advocate fees and GTA, e-way bill missing for consignments above ₹50,000, e-invoice non-compliance for taxpayers above ₹5 crore AATO, HSN summary errors in GSTR-1 Table 12, and Schedule III adjustments not made for related-party transactions.
Yes. The first discussion about your GST Audit Support requirement is free — call or WhatsApp 9566-068-468 and we will tell you honestly what is involved, what it costs, and the realistic timeline before you commit to anything.
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.
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. Every GST Audit Support engagement comes with a GST invoice and copies of all filings, acknowledgements and challans for your records. Thousand Lights clients receive a clean, documented trail they can rely on later.
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).
Three reconciliations are pivotal — GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B (outward supply consistency), GSTR-3B vs books (turnover and tax payment match), and GSTR-2B vs purchase register vs Table 8 of GSTR-9 (ITC eligibility). Variances are the most common audit findings, so these reconciliations should be prepared in advance and presented to the audit team in a documented format.
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.
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.
GST Audit Support near Thousand Lights:

From Anna Salai, Anna Salai (Mount Road), Cathedral Road, Doctor M.G.R. Salai and Haddows Road through to Uttamar Gandhi Salai, Uttamar Gandhi Salai (Nungambakkam High Road), Avvai Shanmugam Salai and Binny Road, our team covers GST Audit Support for businesses right across Thousand Lights and its main commercial roads.

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

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