All about GST Registration Procedure
GST Registration is the process of registering & acknowledging a business under GST.
Any business that has an annual aggregated turnover of Rs. 40 Lakhs & more MUST register itself as a normal taxable person by registering under GST, obtaining a unique GSTIN, filing their GST returns regularly & paying all the tax liabilities timely.
Businesses need to apply for GST online registration by presenting a defined set of documents, these vary depending on the type of business that you are trying to register.
How to register for GST ? then you must know the GST registration process contains 11 steps & is quite lengthy.
We have described in detail what all documents are required to register different types of businesses, below.
The government has mandated GST registration & you may face severe consequences of not registering under GST and may attract a law suit against your busineess.
GST Registration के लिए कौनसे Documents जरूरी है ?
New GST registration - Who is Eligible?
The following persons are required to register under GST-
Sr. No. | Person Category |
|---|---|
1 | Individuals who were practising business in the previous tax system (VAT, Excise, Service Tax, etc.) |
2 | E-Commerce Aggregator |
3 | A person who supplies via e-commerce aggregator |
4 | All businesses having an annual turnover above the threshold limit of Rs. 40 Lakhs* (Rs. 10 Lakhs for North-Eastern States, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand) |
5 | Casual & Non-registered Taxable Persons |
6 | Agents of suppliers & Input Service Distributors |
7 | Tax Payers opting for RCM under GST |
8 | A person supplying online information and database access or retrieval services from a place outside India to a person in India, other than a registered taxable person |
How to Get a GST Registration?
GST Registration involves multiple steps. For the sake of convenience to the reader we have broken it down for you into 4 simple parts-
- 1GST Application Form Generation
- 2Filling the GST Application Form
- 3Registering for the Digital Signature certificate
- 4Verifying & Submitting GST Application Form along with mandatory GST registration documents
Documents Required for GST Registration
As we have mentioned that GST application is long process there are certain GST registration requirements that vary as per your business category.
You need to submit certain Documents to get a GST Registration, these documents vary depending upon the type of Business.
We have segregated the list of GST registration documents as per the business type below for your ease of understanding
Documents required for GST Registration - Basic documents
1. Business owner Documents:
2. Business Documents:
Documents for Sole Proprietorship
Personal Documents
Business Documents:
Documents for Normal Partnership Business
Personal Documents
Business Documents:
Documents for Pvt Ltd. Ltd company|OPC company
Company Documents:
Director related Documents:
Office Documents:
Documents for Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Company Documents:
Partnership related Documents:
Office Documents:
Consequences of not registering under GST
Not applying for GST registration even if you are eligible for the same is considered as the crime of tax evasion & fraudulence.
The consequences can be high penalties, Rs. 10,000 minimum/ 10% of the tax due (in case of genuine errors)/ the amount of tax that was stolen, & even jail time in extreme cases.
Businesses who are eligible for GST must get themselves registered as soon as possible so that no severe damage is done to your business in terms of penalties.
GST Registration has following advantages to offer:
GST Registration Threshold Limit
There have been multiple attempts to ease the experience of the common taxpayers with the GST portal and the tax filing process as a whole.
One such attempt was defining the limits of the threshold to be eligible to register under GST.
Since the inception of GST on 1st Jul 2017, there have been multiple amendments in the Goods and Service Tax Act and hence there’s confusion among the taxpayers about the threshold limit for registration under GST.
We will explain more thoroughly the updated scenario on the threshold limit for the GST Registration.
To learn more on GST Registration limit, visit or detailed blog on GST returns.
Watch Video on GST Registration Process
GST Registration Limits for the Different States
For Sale of Goods:
State Type | Aggregate Turnover | GST Registration |
|---|---|---|
Normal Category State | 40 Lakhs and above | Required |
Special Category State | 20 Lakhs and above | Required |
For providing Services
State Type | Aggregate Turnover | GST Registration |
|---|---|---|
Normal Category State | 20 Lakhs and above | Required |
Special Category State | 10 Lakhs and above | Required |
Following is the list of the Special Category States under GST:
NOTE:
Vide Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019; the government of India had reorganised J&K into two Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
J&K will be a UT with Legislature and hence, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) will be applicable in the UT of J&K.
Ladakh is going to be the UT without a Legislature and hence, Union Territory Goods and Services Tax (UTGST) and CGST will be applicable.
Date of Effect
The threshold for ‘Services Providing Taxpayers’ has remained unchanged.
Maharashtra | Jharkhand | Delhi |
Chhattisgarh | Bihar | Kerala |
Andhra Pradesh | Gujarat | Punjab |
Himachal Pradesh | Haryana | Goa |
Madhya Pradesh | Odisha | Tamil Nadu |
Karnataka | Rajasthan | West Bengal |
Uttar Pradesh | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Lakshadweep |
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Chandigarh | Daman and Diu |
Jammu and Kashmir | Ladakh | Assam |
Uttarakhand | Arunachal Pradesh | Puducherry |
Meghalaya | Mizoram | Tripura |
Manipur | Sikkim | Nagaland |
Understanding GSTIN Format
GSTIN is the Unique Identification Number of every registered person under GST taxation regime.
Goods and Service Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) has proved to help minimise the trouble in maintaining different identification numbers as it used to be in the pre-GST era.In this section, we will try to understand the format of the GSTIN in a simpler way
What is GSTIN?
GSTIN stands for Goods and Service Tax Identification Number.
As the name itself suggests, it is the identification number for a registered person under GST.
It’s a 15-digit number based on your PAN card credentials, is allotted to every person registered under GST.
Explain to me the GSTIN number bit by bit
Let us understand the above image in brief:
GST Registration Verification Process
Unlike the previous indirect tax regime, you do not have to maintain different Identification numbers for different taxes you used to pay.
All thanks to GST for easing the trouble and providing every registered entity with a unique GST Number i.e. (GSTIN).
But a participating party in a transaction needs to authenticate the GSTIN number they are dealing with.
GST Portal of the Government of India provides a very simple solution to the problem of verifying the GSTIN numbers.
Follow the below-given steps to learn the simple 1-minute long process.
How Do I verify any GST Number?
After a taxpayer successfully registers under GST, the online GST registration should be verified from the GST portal.
This GST registration can be verified in 3 different ways:
1. Search by GSTIN (GST Identification Number) or UIN (Unique Identification Number)
Enter the GST Identification Number (GSTIN) in the box indicated in red in the above image.
On hitting the Search button, the details corresponding to the entered GST number will be displayed.
These details will be shown once you search using your GSTIN or UIN.
- Search using your PAN Card details
You can also enter PAN card details on the GST portal to get your GST registration details.
You’ll get all the details of the registered taxpayer under GST corresponding to the PAN Number entered.
What are the Benefits of Verifying
GST Registration?
How to Calculate Aggregate Turnover for GST Registration
The word ‘turnover’ can be an ambiguous term here. We will understand it in the following segments.
A business whose aggregate turnover in a financial year exceeds Rs 20 lakhs has to mandatorily register under Goods and Service Tax. The same limit is brought down to Rs 10 Lakhs for special category states and UTs. (For providing Services)
What is Aggregate Turnover in GST?
Technically speaking,
'About the Section 2(6) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, ‘aggregate turnover’ is defined as the aggregate value of all taxable supplies (excluding the value of inward supplies on which tax is payable by a person on reverse charge basis), exempt supplies, exports of goods or services or both and inter-State supplies of persons having the same Permanent Account Number, to be computed on all India basis but excludes central tax, State tax, Union territory tax, integrated tax, and cess.’
To simplify the jargon stated above, let me explain it with an example:
There’s a firm in Maharashtra (Normal Category State) named ‘Krishi Kalyan’. This firm processes milk and supplies it to different parts of the country. This activity creates a turnover of about 1 Crore annually. This amount is exempted from GST.
Now along with milk processing, the firm also produces plastic containers for milk storage and supplies them too. The annual turnover gained from this activity is 8 Lakhs. As the sale of plastics comes under GST, this amount will be taxable under GST.
In simple words, the taxable amount of this firm will be only Rs 8 Lakhs.
But the aggregate turnover will be 1 Crore + 8 Lakhs = 1.08 Crore and this firm will be eligible for registration under GST as it has crossed the threshold of 40 Lakhs. (For Normal Category State)
Factors Included in Aggregate Turnover
Factors Excluded from Aggregate Turnover
How to Download GST Registration Certificate?
It is advisable for all the businesses register for GST to get a copy of their GST registration certificate downloaded as valid proof. That's why GST registration checking becomes important.
Simple Steps to Download GST Certificate.
If you had applied for GST registration, then GST Registration Certificate is available for download for the registered taxpayers on the GST portal www.gst.gov.in.
It is important to note that, a valid GST Certificate is available for download only on the government portal and not on any third party websites. The government does not provide any physical copy (hard copy) of the certificate.
How to download GST certificate?
Log in to www.gst.gov.in.
Click on ’Services’ > ‘User Services’ > ‘View/ Download Certificate
Click on the ‘Download’ icon on the next page.
The downloaded GST Certificate will be similar as follows:
Content in the GST Certificate
Significance of having a GST Registration Certificate
- Every registered business under GST is required to display the physical copy of the GST Registration Certificate at his primary place of business.
- According to Rule 18 of the CGST Rules 2017, failure to do so may attract a penalty of up to Rs. 25,000.
- The validity of the GST Certificate issued to a regular taxpayer remains valid until it is canceled or surrendered by the registered taxpayer himself.
- It is highly advisable to always keep a copy of your GST Registration Certificate with you and display it at your sites of businesses.
How to cancle GST registration?
We will guide you through the process of cancelling your GST registration.
Meaning of Registration Cancellation
When you cancel your GST registration you will not be able to pay or collect GST. You’ll simply not be a member under GST
Implications of GST Registration Cancellation
Who are eligible to cancel the GST Registration?
Below-given tree diagram will explain you the different categories of users eligible for GST cancellation.
The request of Cancellation by a Registered Taxpayer
Let's now see the detailed procedure to do so.
Step 1: Log in to the GST Portal using your Username and Password.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Cancellation of Provisional Registration’ tab.
Step 3: You’ll be shown a page stating the reason for cancellation. You’ll also be asked, “If you have raised any tax invoice in the period of GST.”
Select ‘No’.
Step 4: In the next step, you have to provide the details of the authorized signatories.
The taxpayer will have to go through verification and have to submit all the form related details along with the Digital Signature or Electronic Verification Code.
You'll be required to sign the document with:
- Electronic Verification Code (EVC) – If your business is registered as a ‘Partnership’ or ‘Proprietorship’.
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) - LLPs and Companies must sign with Digital Signature Certificate.
NOTE: The steps mentioned above apply to only those taxpayers who have NOT issued a tax invoice. If the concerned taxpayer has issued any tax invoice then he is required to file FORM GST REG-16.
Request of Cancellation of GST Registration by a Tax Officer
Possible Reasons for such request:
Procedure for Tax Officer to Invoke GST Registration Cancellation
Important Forms for GST Registration Cancellation
GST Form | Details |
|---|---|
GST REG 16 | This form is applicable only when the taxpayer himself applies for the cancellation of registration. |
GST REG 17 | An authorized GST officer can provide the notice of show cause or cancellation to the registered taxpayer and its business entity by using this form. The authorized tax officer can also ask for the reason to not cancel the concerned person’s registration. |
GST REG 18 | The show-cause notice can be replied by the means of furnished GST REG 18 form under the specified period stated in the sub-rule (1). The taxpayer or the concerned party must reply to the notice within 7 days of issuance of the notice explaining safeguarding the cancellation of registration. |
GST REG 19 | This form is used by the GST officer for passing an order for the cancellation of GST registration. The order for sending the notice must be under 30 days from the date of application or the response date in the GST REG 18 form. |
GST REG 20 | The show-cause notice when satisfied by the GST officer can direct for the revoke of any proceedings towards the cancellation of the registration and he should pass the order in the Form GST REG 20. |
Revocation of Cancellation under GST
You shall follow the following process to do so:
You can apply for the revocation of cancellation through FORM GST REG-21 on the GST portal.
If the authorized officer is satisfied with the reason you provide, the registered office is required to follow the procedure stated below:
1. Record the reasons for the revocation of cancellation of registration in writing.
2. Reverse the cancellation of registration.
3. Pass an order of revocation in FORM GST REG-22.
However, if the reason is found unsatisfactory to the authorized officer, he can reject the application for revocation. The officer is required to pass an order in FORM GST REG-05 and communicate the same.
Before rejecting, the proper officer must issue a show-cause notice in FORM GST REG–23 for you to show why the application should not be rejected. You must reply in FORM GST REG-24 within 7 working days from the date of the service of the notice.
The proper officer is required to decide within 30 days from the date of receipt of clarification in FORM GST REG-24.
Who Cannot File the Cancellation Request for
GST Registration?
- Taxpayers registered as Tax Collectors/deductors
- Taxpayers who are assigned Unique Identification Number (UIN)
What to do if your GST Registration Gets Rejected?
Sometimes your GST registration may get rejected due to some reasons.
These reasons may be different for different cases. Though rejection of a GST application is a rare case.
Possible Reasons for Rejection
- Data is filled inaccurately
- Inadequate proof of Identity
- Inadequate proof of address
- Mismatch of PAN Card Number.
- Fail to reply or delay in reply to a notice issued by an authorized tax officer
How to know the Exact Reason for my Registration rejection?
After you have submitted your GST Registration Application along with all the supporting documents, you’ll receive an ‘Acknowledgement’.
You can use this ARN (Acknowledgement Reference Number) to track the status of your application.
You can see all the details regarding the processing of your application using this ARN.
It normally takes about 7 working days for the provisional GSTIN to be provided and an additional 2 days for providing the final GSTIN with the GST registration certificate.
In case if your application gets rejected, you’ll be notified about the same within the prescribed time. It will also state the reasons for your application rejection.
What Should I do after my GST Application gets rejected?
Well, the answer to this question is pretty simple.
‘You re-register under GST’.
We will explain to you this simple procedure to do so.
To avoid application of fresh registration of businesses, who have had their registration cancelled by an officer, on the grounds of non-compliance of the statutory provisions, CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs)(released Vide circular no. 95/14/2019-GST dated March 28th, 2019, wherein the officials have clarified the consequence the taxpayer has to face in case of non-revocation of cancelled registration.
In case a registered taxpayer applies for another registration within the same state, the authorized officer is required to analyze whether existing registration continues or is being cancelled.
In case of cancelled registration, further scrutiny shall begin for whether the registration is cancelled based on the violation of provisions of section 29 (2) (b) [composition dealer has not furnished returns for 3 consecutive tax period] or section 29 (2) (c) [registered taxpayer has not furnished returns for a continuous period of 6 months].
After the due scrutiny by the tax officers, you will be eligible for the re-registration under GST.
GST Registration Fees:
Individual taxpayers registering for GST through the online registration process are required to pay a fee for the services availed from professionals.
Professional Service Providers (GST Service Providers) (GSPs) like GSTHero will provide you the GST Registration services at a minimum cost and hassle-free process.
GSTHero also provides multiple options for various GST services like e-Invoicing, e-Way Bills, Digital Signature Certificates and all types of GST Returns Filings.
To Conclude
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