Fake ITC claims rising alarmingly

New Delhi: Fake input tax credit (ITC) claims detection by central GST officers increased 51 per cent to Rs36,374 crore in 2023-24, Parliament was informed on Monday. Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary shared details of the fake ITC cases booked by Central Tax formations during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 fiscals in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

During 2023-24, as many as 9,190 cases were booked by the central GST officers, involving fake ITC of Rs36,374 crore. 182 persons were arrested and voluntary deposits of Rs3,413 crore were made in the cases.

During 2022-23, Rs24,140 crore fake ITC were detected in 7,231 cases. 152 persons were arrested and Rs2,484 crore taxes were deposited voluntarily. The Number of cases booked by central tax formation during 2021-22 was 5,966. Chaudhary said the challenges in tracking fake ITC fraudsters relate to masterminds, who operate the fake ITC generation through control and management of a complex web of entities created across jurisdictions.

Such challenges are being met through coordination with multiple stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies.”