New Delhi: 

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has detected Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion of Rs 2.23 lakh crore in the financial year 2024-2025 (FY25), recording a 10 percent surge from the previous fiscal year (FY24) figure of Rs 2.02 lakh crore. The GST evasion amount for the year 2023 was around Rs 1 lakh crore. The amount of GST that is being evaded is the highest so far.

Cargo facilitation through the risk management system in customs duty increased from 82% in 2022 to 86% in 2025. The finance minister asked to further reduce the time limit for import-export at ports and inland container depots (ICDs). In FY25, CBIC handed over 2,140.35 kg of seized gold to Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL). Sitharaman has directed CBIC to fill the vacant posts soon and settle the pending cases expeditiously.

The national average of GSTR-3B return filing in FY25 was 94.3%. The average time for resolution of complaints decreased from 21 days to 9 days. CBIC reported that 95% to 97% of CPGRAMS appeals are being resolved within 30 days, placing CBIC among the top 5 among 90 central ministries from February 2024.

Nirmala Sitharaman chairs CBIC conference:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the meeting of the CBIC conference held in New Delhi on Thursday. FM shared the information regarding the GST evasion figures for FY 25 at the conference. Sitharaman tasked the agency to complete the investigation of customs and GST cases in a swift manner while simultaneously instructing them to take strict action against tax evasion.

The emphasis was laid on improving GST registration and grievance redressal. Additionally, FM said that the scope of GST audit increased from 62.21% in FY23 to 88.74% in FY25. Officials said that no taxpayer was audited more than once in three years.

Fake Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims, identity theft, and undervaluation of goods and services are some of the measures through which GST is being evaded.

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