Taxmen conduct test-purchase, fine 1052 dealers

BENGALURU: Karnataka Commercial Taxes Commissioner MS Srikar has said GST authorities will step up test-purchase of goods from dealers to ensure they issue tax invoices to customers in compliance with the law. He warned of stringent action against dealers who don’t issue invoices and evade taxes, and appealed to buyers to demand GST invoices while making a purchase.

The Commercial Taxes Department, he said in a press release, has collected a penalty of Rs 1.87 crore from 1052 dealers in January and February when officials, on a surprise test-purchase visit, found them not issuing GST invoices.

The officials conducted test-purchases at Bengaluru city, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Kolar, Ramanagar, Chikkaballapur, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Mangaluru, Udupi, Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagalur, Ballary, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Hubballi, Sirasi, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Raichur, Belagavi, Bagalakote, and Vijayapura.