The government is likely to make fraudulent claims for input tax credit a non-bailable offence in the hands of recipients of goods and services in the February 1 budget by tightening the GST law, as it seeks to plug leakages.

CXOs, directors or employees directly responsible for making such claims can also be penalised as per the proposed changes aimed at tackling evasion.

“Changes are being proposed to the law to plug issues related to fraud input tax credit,” said a government official. The threshold of Rs 5 crore will apply for the offence being treated as bailable; beyond that it will be non-bailable. The provision already applies to suppliers of goods and services. #casansaar (Source - Economic Times)