Bank Audit from GST Angle

Bank audits have always been a crucial function for banks to maintain transparency and accuracy in their financial statements. With the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, the bank audit process has become even more crucial. In this article, we will discuss the bank audit process from the GST angle.

Understanding GST

GST, introduced in 2017, is a tax reform that aims to simplify the tax structure and eliminate various indirect taxes that were previously levied. GST is a consumption-based tax system, where the tax is levied on the final consumer of goods and services rather than the manufacturer, wholesaler, or retailer. GST has three components, Central GST (CGST), State GST (SGST), and Integrated GST (IGST).

Bank Audit from GST Angle

A bank audit from the GST angle involves auditing the financial statements to ensure that the GST compliance is being followed by the bank. The bank has to ensure that the input tax credit (ITC) availed is valid, the GST returns are filed on time, and the tax liability is discharged correctly. Below are the various aspects of bank audit from the GST angle:

ITC Verification

The bank has to verify the ITC availed on the purchases made by the bank. The ITC can be availed only if the supplier has filed the GST returns correctly and has paid the tax liability. The bank has to ensure that the supplier is registered under GST and the ITC availed is valid.

GST Returns Filing

The bank has to file the GST returns on time to avoid penalty and interest. The bank has to file the GSTR-1 (outward supplies) and GSTR-3B (summary return) on a monthly basis. The bank also has to file the annual return GSTR-9 and the reconciliation statement GSTR-9C.

Tax Liability Discharge

The bank has to discharge the tax liability correctly by paying the tax on time. The bank has to ensure that the tax liability is discharged correctly and the payment is made to the correct government account. The bank has to reconcile the tax paid with the tax liability and ensure that there is no mismatch.

GST Audit

The bank has to conduct a GST audit to ensure that the GST compliance is being followed. The GST audit is conducted by a GST auditor who verifies the GST returns, ITC availed, tax liability discharged, and other aspects related to GST compliance. The GST audit report is submitted to the GST department.

Conclusion

Bank audit from the GST angle is a crucial process to ensure that the bank is following the GST compliance. The bank has to ensure that the ITC availed is valid, the GST returns are filed on time, and the tax liability is discharged correctly. The bank has to conduct a GST audit to ensure that the GST compliance is being followed. GST has simplified the tax structure, and with proper GST compliance, the banks can avoid penalty and interest.