ADT-01 means the GST department is auditing your books. This is a high-stakes proceeding under Section 65 of the CGST Act. Our AI analyses your notice, generates a complete audit preparation checklist, identifies potential risk areas in your filings, and helps you prepare a watertight response.
GST Form ADT-01 is an Audit Notice issued under Section 65 of the CGST Act, 2017, read with Rule 101 of the CGST Rules. It authorizes officers appointed by the Commissioner to conduct a detailed audit of a taxpayer's records, returns, and other documents for a specific financial year or period. This is a departmental audit — distinct from the self-certified annual audit (GSTR-9C).
The audit may also be conducted under Section 66 (Special Audit) where the Commissioner, having regard to the nature and complexity of the case, orders that the records be audited by a Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant nominated by the Commissioner. In such cases, the notice is still issued in Form ADT-01 but the audit is conducted by the nominated professional, not department officers.
Receiving an ADT-01 is a significant event. The audit team will examine your entire GST compliance — ITC claims, output tax computation, reverse charge compliance, e-way bill generation, HSN classification, valuation, exempt supply treatment, and more. The findings are documented in Form ADT-02, and any discrepancies can lead to proceedings under Section 73 or 74. Thorough preparation is not optional — it is essential.
Legal Section
Section 65 / 66 CGST Act
Records Production Deadline
15 Working Days
Audit Completion Period
3 Months (Extendable to 9)
Risk Level
High — Can Lead to DRC-01
Audit Report Form
Form ADT-02
Issuing Authority
Commissioner / Addl. Commissioner
High Turnover with Low Tax Payment
Taxpayers with high aggregate turnover but disproportionately low tax liability (due to high ITC claims or exemptions) are frequently selected for audit.
Persistent Discrepancies in Returns
Multiple ASMT-10 scrutiny notices with unsatisfactory responses, or recurring mismatches between GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, and GSTR-9 can trigger a full audit.
Industry-Wide or Sector-Specific Drives
CBIC periodically directs field formations to audit specific sectors — e.g., real estate, IT services, exporters claiming refunds, or businesses dealing in exempt supplies.
Large ITC Refund Claims
Exporters or suppliers to SEZs claiming substantial ITC refunds under Section 54 are commonly subjected to audit to verify the genuineness of ITC claimed.
Information from Other Agencies (CBDT, DRI, DGGI)
Tips or information received from income tax department, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, or DGGI about suspected tax evasion or fake invoicing can lead to targeted audit.
Acknowledge the Audit Notice
Confirm receipt of ADT-01 in writing. Note the audit period (usually one or two financial years), scope of audit, names of audit officers, and the date by which records must be produced — typically 15 working days from receipt.
Prepare Complete Documentation
Gather all GST returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-9, GSTR-9C), purchase and sales registers, ITC register with invoice-level details, e-way bill register, stock register, financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet), and trial balance for the audit period. Organize them chronologically.
Conduct an Internal Pre-Audit
Before the auditors arrive, do your own internal review: verify ITC eligibility for each claim (check Section 16 conditions), confirm reverse charge compliance (Section 9(3)/(4)), validate HSN codes, check inter-state vs intra-state classification, and reconcile GSTR-1 vs GSTR-3B vs books.
Appoint an Authorized Representative
Designate a Chartered Accountant or authorized person under Section 116 to interact with the audit team. File a proper authorization letter. The representative should be well-versed with the business operations and GST compliance of the entity.
Cooperate Professionally During the Audit
Provide requested records promptly. Maintain a detailed log of every document shared with the audit team (with dates and acknowledgments). Answer queries factually and concisely. Do not volunteer information beyond what is specifically asked — this is standard audit protocol, not obstruction.
Review the Audit Report (ADT-02)
Once the audit concludes, the findings are documented in Form ADT-02. Review it carefully. If discrepancies are found, you may receive a DRC-01A (pre-SCN intimation) or directly a DRC-01 (Show Cause Notice). Begin preparing your defense immediately upon receiving the audit report — do not wait for the formal notice.
To
The Commissioner of CGST/SGST
[Officer Name, Designation]
[Commissionerate / Division]
Subject
Acknowledgment of GST Audit Notice in Form ADT-01 dated [date] — GSTIN: [your GSTIN] — Audit Period: FY [year]
Body
Undertaking
We undertake to provide full cooperation during the audit proceedings and make available all records, books of accounts, and documents as required under Section 65(2) of the CGST Act, 2017, within the stipulated timeframe.
Pre-Audit Risk Analysis
AI scans your filing data and identifies potential risk areas before the auditors do — ITC eligibility issues, reverse charge gaps, HSN mismatches, and turnover discrepancies. Fix them proactively.
Audit Checklist Generator
Generates a comprehensive document checklist tailored to your business type and the audit period. Includes every register, return, and reconciliation statement the auditors will need.
Response Drafting
If the audit results in a DRC-01A or DRC-01, AI immediately analyses the findings and drafts a defense response with legal citations and supporting evidence references.
Upload your ADT-01 notice. AI generates a complete audit preparation kit — risk analysis, document checklist, and pre-audit reconciliations.
No credit card required. Analyse your first 3 notices free.