Where Do GST Notices Appear?
GST notices don't arrive by postal mail anymore (in most cases). They're served electronically through the GST portal and appear in your dashboard. The problem? Many business owners don't check their GST portal regularly, so they miss notices — and missing a notice means missing the response deadline.
There are three places where you'll find GST notices:
- GST Portal Dashboard — after logging in
- Registered email — the portal sends an email notification when a notice is issued
- Registered mobile number — SMS notification
The email and SMS only tell you that a notice has been issued. To actually read the notice, view the details, and respond — you must login to the GST portal.
Step-by-Step: How to Check GST Notices
Step 1: Login to GST Portal
Go to gst.gov.in → Click Login → Enter your username, password, and captcha.
Step 2: Navigate to Notices/Orders
After login, go to Services → User Services → View Notices and Orders.
You can also check via: Dashboard → Case Details (which shows all cases, including notices and orders).
Step 3: View the Notices Tab
The "View Notices and Orders" page has multiple tabs:
- Notices: All show cause notices, demand notices, and information requests
- Orders: All orders passed by the officer (demand orders, cancellation orders, etc.)
- Additional Notices: Any follow-up notices or reminders
Each entry shows:
- Notice/Order Reference Number (ARN)
- Section under which issued (e.g., Section 73, Section 61, Section 29)
- Form type (DRC-01, ASMT-10, REG-17, etc.)
- Date of issue
- Due date for reply
- Status (Pending, Replied, Adjudicated, etc.)
Step 4: Click on the Notice to View Details
Click on any notice to open it. You'll see:
- Full text of the notice
- Allegations/grounds mentioned
- Computation of tax/penalty (if applicable)
- Annexures and supporting documents (if the officer attached any)
- Reply button — to respond directly
Step 5: Download the Notice
Click the Download button to get a PDF copy. Always download and save every notice — you may need it for your records, for your accountant/CA, or for appeal proceedings later.
Types of Notices You Might See
Here's a quick reference of common GST notice types:
| Notice Form | What It Is | Response Form | Deadline | |---|---|---|---| | ASMT-10 | Scrutiny notice — discrepancies in returns | ASMT-11 | 30 days | | DRC-01 | Show cause notice — demand for tax + penalty | DRC-06 | 30 days | | DRC-01A | Intimation before formal SCN — reconcile differences | Voluntary payment via DRC-03 | Usually 15-30 days | | DRC-07 | Demand order — final order after DRC-01 | Appeal via APL-01 | 3 months | | REG-17 | Cancellation of registration — show cause | REG-18 | 7 working days | | REG-03 | Additional information for registration | REG-04 | 7 working days | | CMP-05 | Show cause for composition scheme violation | CMP-06 | 15 days | | MOV-07 | Detention of goods during transit | MOV-09 | 14 days |
How to Respond to a Notice from the Portal
For DRC-01 (Show Cause Notice)
- Open the notice → Click Reply
- Select: Accept Fully / Accept Partially / Reject Fully
- If accepting (fully or partially), pay through DRC-03
- If rejecting, write your detailed reply explaining why
- Upload supporting documents
- Submit via DRC-06
For ASMT-10 (Scrutiny Notice)
- Open the notice → Click Reply
- Address each discrepancy mentioned
- Provide explanation with documentary evidence
- Submit reply via ASMT-11
- If the officer is satisfied, they close it. If not, they escalate to DRC-01.
For REG-17 (Cancellation Show Cause)
- Open the notice → Click Reply
- File all pending returns if the reason is non-filing
- Write your explanation
- Upload supporting documents
- Submit via REG-18 within 7 working days
Checking Notice Status After Reply
After you've replied to a notice:
- Go to Services → User Services → View Notices and Orders
- Find the notice — its status should show "Replied" or "Response Filed"
- Check if the officer has taken any further action:
- Dropped — Officer accepted your reply, no further action
- Personal Hearing scheduled — Officer wants to hear you in person (date/time will be mentioned)
- Order Passed — Officer has passed an order (could be favorable or adverse)
The "Case Details" View
For a more comprehensive view, go to Dashboard → Case Details. This shows:
- All cases associated with your GSTIN
- Timeline of each case (notice → reply → hearing → order)
- The current stage of each case
- Links to view documents at each stage
This is especially useful if you have multiple notices or cases running simultaneously.
How to Check Notices on the GST Mobile App
The GST mobile app (available on Android and iOS) doesn't have full notice viewing functionality, but it does:
- Send push notifications when a new notice is issued
- Allow you to view notice summary (type, date, deadline)
- Redirect you to the portal for detailed viewing
For any serious notice, always use the desktop portal — the mobile app is limited.
Common Mistakes When Dealing with Notices
1. Not Checking the Portal Regularly
The biggest mistake. Many businesses only check when they receive an SMS or email — and sometimes those notifications get lost in spam. Make it a habit to login to the GST portal at least once a week and check for new notices.
2. Missing the Response Deadline
Different notices have different deadlines (7 days, 15 days, 30 days). Missing the deadline means the officer can pass an order without hearing your side. Always note the deadline and respond well before it.
3. Ignoring DRC-01A Intimation
DRC-01A is an informal notice — it's the officer giving you a chance to pay voluntarily before issuing a formal show cause notice (DRC-01). Many taxpayers ignore DRC-01A, treating it as unimportant. That's a mistake — responding to DRC-01A (by paying via DRC-03) avoids the more serious DRC-01 process entirely.
4. Not Downloading and Saving Notices
Always download PDF copies. Notices on the portal can sometimes become inaccessible due to system issues, data migration, or status changes. Keep an offline file of every notice and your response.
5. Responding Without Professional Advice
For demand notices (DRC-01) involving significant amounts, get a GST professional or CA involved. A poorly drafted reply can make things worse. The response should be legally sound and supported by documents.
Setting Up Alerts for New Notices
To make sure you never miss a notice:
- Keep your email updated — Services → Registration → Amendment → Update your email address if it's changed
- Keep your mobile number current — Same process. SMS notifications go to the registered number.
- Enable email notifications — Check your spam folder regularly for emails from gst.gov.in
- Check the portal weekly — No substitute for actually logging in and checking
- Use SmartGST tools — Our Compliance Checklist includes a "check for notices" reminder
What if a Notice is Wrong or Sent in Error?
It happens. Sometimes officers issue notices based on system-generated reports that have errors. If you believe a notice is factually wrong:
- Don't ignore it — Even erroneous notices need a response
- Reply within the deadline explaining the error
- Provide documentary proof — Show that the data in the notice is incorrect (e.g., returns were filed on time, amounts match, etc.)
- Escalate if needed — If the officer insists despite clear evidence, escalate through the Grievance Redressal mechanism on the GST portal or to the jurisdictional Commissioner
Related SmartGST Tools
- AI Notice Explainer — Paste your notice text for instant AI analysis
- All GST Notices — Detailed guides for every notice type
- Compliance Checklist — Track compliance and prevent notices
- Due Date Calendar — Never miss a filing deadline
- Penalty Calculator — Calculate potential penalties