Everything You Need To Know About Your GST Number

GST number is a unique number assigned to each business owner or an owner whose business is registered according to the GST act. The tax authorities use this GSTIN number to maintain the records of dues pending GST payment of business owners. The GST number is a replacement for previous tax payment modes like TIN. All who are making the new payment will get a new GST number after the registration completion and approval.

Here are the steps to follow for making GST registration:

• Log on to the website of GST and select the  option ‘registration tab’
• Fill in the details like PAN, Mobile, Email address, and name of the state in PART-A of the online GST registration form.
• You will receive an OTP on your mobile. Put the same in the space provided for OTP verification.
• After that, fill in the above details, you will be provided with a  registration number on your mobile and Email.
• Post that, you are required to fill Part-B of Form GST REG-01. It must be duly signed by DSC or EVC.
• Upload the necessary documents when you are filling PART B.
• You will get an acknowledgement in form GST REG-02.
• If any information is incomplete or pending, you will receive a message of the same at the time of filling the Form GST REG-03.
• You may need to make a physical visit to the GST department to complete the pending details. Make sure all details and documents are submitted within 7 working days in the Form GST REG-04.
• If the GST office finds any errors, they may also reject the application, the same thing you will know in Form GST REG-05.
• On successful completion of the form GST REG- 06, you will receive a certificate of registration by the GST department.

Understand the format of GST number

The GST number is assigned to the registered business in the following ways:

• The GST number is a 15 digit number.
• The first two digits start from 1-35. It signifies the state code according to the Indian Census 2011.
• The next 10 digits are the PAN number of a company that is given at the time of GST registration.
• The entity code is the 13th digit of the GST number. It refers to the sequencing-based on which registration becomes a legal entity. You need to know that two business verticals are allowed to get registered in a single entity and must belong to the same code. The first GST registration is named as 1, and the second is named as 2 for representing the 13th digit without any confusion.
• The 14th digit of current registration is named as ‘Z’ by default as per the latest GST number format.
• The last digit (15th digit) of the GST number is used for checking the code. The number or alphabet is allocated randomly.

Ways of doing the GST number search

The GSTIN( Good and Services Tax Identification Number) is a unique identification code assigned to each of the registered businesses as per the GST act. This number is not benefiting only the tax authorities but also the public in general. Being a citizen of India, we can easily validate any of the GST numbers provided by the vendors. Through the GST number, you can do the verification of the business, its name, address, or any other details related to business registration and establishment.

After the establishment of the GST number and GST, multiple websites started the advertisement provisions. It is wise to get the details of GST registration using the official website of Goods and Services Tax. The option of GSTIN search availability helps in the enhancement of business and vendors all over the country, it covers state borders also.

Here is the process of searching GST numbers on the official website:

1. GST number search by PAN

The updated database of GST numbers allows users to search GST numbers using the PAN details of the company/ business or individual. You can proceed further with the GST number search by the PAN database to get the record. If the business or individual is not registered under the GST, a message stating “no records found” will be reflected. In case the business is registered, then PAN linked with that GST registration will get displayed.

2. GST number search by Name

The official database does not give the option of GST search by name, but still many other websites apart from the GST portal are advertising that you can search GST by name. It is wise to authenticate the website and then make the right decision.

Here is the process of GST number verification

If you have just applied for GST registration of the business and received the GSTIN. Do cross-check that all the details mentioned are correctly reflecting on the GST website. To verify the GST details, you must enter the GST number on the official GST portal. By clicking the option’ Search Taxpayer by GSTIN’ or ‘ Search Taxpayer by PAN’ for completing the verification procedure. The same option will also work to carry the GST number verification online for business partners or any prospective vendors.

Know about the benefits of applying for GSTIN

• GST number is a must for being a citizen of India to get legal recognition as a business entity. It helps gain the trust of both present and prospective customers, resulting in the business’s effective growth.
• Your business, after getting the GST number, will become more competitive as compared to small businesses. Customers prefer to purchase you from more.
• A businessman who is having a GST number can easily input credit on their input services.
• There is no restriction on inter-state sales from the government side for those who are having a valid GST number. Those businesses are counted as responsible taxable citizens of India.
• GST registration is a way to ensure the government that business is complying with all the rules and regulations prescribed. Doing this government will give you a good GST rating to boost up the growth of the business.

Bottom line

Getting a GST number and making registration for GST is absolutely free of cost. Before the government of India implemented GST, every businessman was paying the VAT. GSTIN works as the best replacement of VAT as earlier used to pay VAT and state tax both. GST has simplified the whole taxation procedure of import and export of goods and services.

Also read:

1) What Happens to Indian's Tax Money after Payment?
2) Top-10 Highest Tax Paying States in India
3) Why Do We Pay Income Tax in India? Importance, Applicability & more
4) Types of Direct & Indirect Taxes in India
5) OkCredit: All you need to know about OkCredit & how it works.

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FAQs

Q. What are the documents required for GST registration?

Ans. Here is the list of documents required for making GST registration

• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Incorporation certificate as a business proof
• Address and identity proof of directors along with the photographs attached
• Bank account statements
• Digital signature
• Authorisation letter duly signed by directors

Q. What are the GST registration fees?

Ans. The GST is an 11 step process that involves providing many businesses’ information and submitting the document as support of information provided. Obtaining a GST number is absolutely free of cost.

Q. Is there any penalty for not making GST registration?

Ans. Yes, the penalty is being levied on all those offenders who are not making tax payments. It is 10% of the tax payment due and a minimum of Rs 10,000. The penalty is applicable 100% if the offender is deliberately making default in tax payment.

Q. Who all liable for GST registration?

Ans. These all are liable for GST registration:

• All those individuals who are already registered in excise, service, and VAT, etc.
• All those businesses who are having a turnover limit of above 40 Lakhs.
• Non- resident taxable citizens
• Agents, suppliers, and distributors of input services
• All who are paying taxes under the mechanism of reverse charge
• A person who is supplying using an e-commerce aggregator
• The person providing online information and database access anywhere outside India.