GST Registration Online

The Goods and Services Tax, commonly known as GST, is an indirect tax applicable to all goods and services sold in India. GST has replaced other indirect taxes such as value-added tax and service tax. The Indian government approved the Goods and Services Tax Act on March 29, 2017, and it came into effect on July 1, 2017. It is mandatory for businesses to register for GST in accordance with its jurisdiction. Failure to do so is considered an offense.

GST, the most extensive tax reform in India, is applied to goods and services and replaces several indirect taxes such as CST, Service Tax, Excise Duty, VAT, Entertainment Tax, Luxury Tax, and Octroi. This helps consumers bear only the GST charged by the last dealer in the trade and supply chain.

Under the GST regime, businesses with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 20 lakhs in case of services and Rs. 40 lakhs in case of goods, must register as normal taxable entities, except for hill states and the North East, where the threshold is Rs. 20 lakhs.

All businesses meeting the above criteria must obtain GST registration in India. Conducting business activities without GST registration is a punishable offense, and both the business and its owner will be subject to heavy penalties and legal issues.

There are several types of GST registration, including regular, casual, non-resident, and eCommerce operators. Casual taxpayers, non-resident taxpayers, and eCommerce owners must register for GST regardless of the turnover threshold.

1. Casual Taxable Person: As per the GST Act, a casual taxable person is an individual or entity that provides products or services occasionally in a State or Union territory where they do not have a permanent place of business. Hence, individuals operating temporary businesses at fairs, exhibitions, or seasonal enterprises would be categorized as casual taxable persons under the GST.
2. Non-Resident Taxable Persons: A non-resident taxable person (NRI) under the GST is any individual, company, or organization that provides goods or services but does not have a permanent home or place of business in India. Therefore, any foreign individual, company, or organization providing products or services to India is regarded as non-resident taxable and must comply with all GST laws in India.
3. E-Commerce Operators: An e-commerce operator owns, operates, or manages a digital or electronic facility or platform for electronic commerce. Therefore, regardless of company revenue, anyone who sells online can be considered an eCommerce Operator and must register for GST.

Under the GST Act, a registered dealer must file GST returns, which provide details of their purchases, sales, output, GST (on sales), and input tax credit (GST paid on purchases). GST returns are legal documents that must be submitted to the tax authorities, including two monthly and annual GST returns. All returns must be filed online, and it is essential to note that returns cannot be altered once submitted. Additionally, invoices for the current month should include all bills for the previous unreported tax period.

GSTIN stands for Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. It is a unique identification number assigned to each business or entity registered under India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. It is a 15-digit alphanumeric code based on the state code, PAN (Permanent Account Number), entity code, and check digit. GSTIN is used to track and monitor all GST-related transactions of a registered entity, and it is mandatory for all entities registered under GST to quote their GSTIN on all invoices and other relevant documents.

The following individuals/entities are required to register under GST:

• Individuals registered under Pre-GST laws such as Excise, VAT, and Service Tax
• Businesses with a turnover exceeding Rs. 20 Lakh for service providers and Rs. 40 lakhs for goods. (Rs. 20 Lakh for North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand)
• Non-Resident Taxable persons
• Taxable persons Input Service Distributors and Agents of Suppliers
• Individuals paying taxes as per the Reverse Charge Mechanism
• Individuals supplying via e-commerce aggregator
• Individuals supplying online databases and information access from a location outside India to an individual in India

The documents required for GST registration in India may vary based on the type of business. Below is a list of the documents generally needed:
 

For Proprietorship:

• Address proof of the place of business
• In case of Owned Property:

~ Electricity Bill

~ Property Tax Receipt

• In case of Rented/Leased Property:

~ Rent/Lease Agreement

~ Electricity Bill

• PAN card
• Aadhar card (ID proof)
• Photograph of Proprietor
• Gumasta License
• Bank Account Statement
   

For LLP or Limited Liability Partnership:

• PAN card
• LLP Agreement
• Name and address proof of partners
• Address proof of the place of business
• In case of Owned Property:

~ Electricity Bill

~ Property Tax Receipt

• In case of Rented/Leased Property:

~ Rent/Lease Agreement

~ Electricity Bill

• Bank Account Statement
   

For Private Limited Company:

• Certificate of company incorporation
• PAN card
• Articles of Association (AOA)
• Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• Identity proof,photograph and address proof of directors
• Authorization Letter or Board Resolution authorizing the director to act on behalf of the Company.
• Address proof of the place of business
• In case of Owned Property:

~ Electricity Bill

~ Property Tax Receipt

• In case of Rented/Leased Property:

~ Rent/Lease Agreement

~ Electricity Bill

• Digital Signature Certificate
• Bank Account Statement
   

Proof of address for directorship:

• Passport
• Voter ID card
• Aadhar card
• Telephone or electricity bill
• Ration card
• Driver's license
• Latest bank account statement

The official procedure for completing the GST Registration online process involves the following steps:

1. Visit https://www.gst.gov.in/
2. Fill in the required details, including selecting 'Taxpayer' under the 'I am' drop-down menu, selecting the state and district where the business operates, and providing the business name and PAN number.
3. Enter an active email ID and mobile number to receive OTP for verification, and upload the image shown on the screen before clicking 'Proceed'.
4. Enter the OTP sent to the email ID and mobile number on the next page, and click 'Proceed'.
5. Note the Temporary Reference Number (TRN) shown on the screen.
6. Return to the official GST portal and select 'Register' under the 'Taxpayers' menu.
7. Choose 'Temporary Reference Number (TRN)' and enter the TRN and captcha details before clicking 'Proceed'.
8. Enter the OTP sent to the registered email ID and mobile number on the next page, and click 'Proceed'.
9. Check the status of your application on the next page, and click on the Edit icon on the right side if needed.
10. Fill in all the required details in the 10 sections on the next page, and submit it with all the necessary documents. The list of required documents varies based on the type of business.

To submit the application, go to the ‘Verification’ page and agree to the declaration. The application can be submitted through one of the following methods:

• Generate and receive a code through the Electronic Verification Code (EVC) method, which will be sent to the registered mobile number.
• Generate and receive an OTP through the e-Sign method, which will be sent to the mobile number associated at the time of registration.
• For companies registering, submit the application with the DSC or Digital Signature Certificate.

Once all the steps are completed, a success message will be displayed on the screen. The ARN or Application Reference Number will be sent to the registered email ID and mobile number. To check the status of the application, visit the GST portal.

To download your GST Registration Certificate, follow these steps:

1. Visit https://www.gst.gov.in/
2. Go to the 'Login' page
3. Enter your username and password.
4. Once logged in, click on 'Services'.
5. From the dropdown menu, select 'User Services'.
6. Choose 'View/Download Certificates'.
7. Click on the 'Download' button to save your GST registration certificate.

Penalties are imposed for failure to file GST returns. In case of non-registration under GST due to genuine errors, a penalty of at least Rs. 10,000 or 10% of the tax amount (whichever is higher) must be paid. If non-registration is intentional and the offender is deliberately avoiding payment of taxes, a penalty of 100% of the tax amount will be imposed.

In India, the Goods And Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax imposed on the supply of products and services. The GST Tax Rates in India are as follows:

• 0% - This rate applies to basic supplies such as grains, fresh vegetables, and medical equipment.
• 5% - Processed or packaged food and some domestic goods are subject to a 5% tax.
• 12% – This rate is applied to products such as televisions, laptops, and cell phones.
• 18% - Items such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines are subject to this rate of 18%.
• 28% - Luxury cars, tobacco, and aerated beverages are subject to this rate of 28%.

You can use our GST calculator to estimate the Goods and Service Tax based on the various rates.

• Bank Loans: GST registration and return filing can formalize and improve the company's creditworthiness by showing its track record and activity to banks and NBFCs.
• Supplier Onboarding: Many reputable firms require GST registration for supplier onboarding, which can increase the company's credibility and market access.
• ECommerce: Selling online on powerful platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Zomato requires GST registration, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
• Legal Recognition: GST registration recognizes the business as a supplier of goods or services. It helps establish the authenticity of the business and promotes trust among customers.
• Input Tax Credit (ITC): Businesses registered under GST can claim the input tax credit on the taxes paid on goods and services used during the business. This helps to reduce the overall tax liability and improves cash flow.
• Expansion of Business: GST registration allows businesses to expand operations and cater to a broader customer base. It enables businesses to participate in online marketplaces and provide services across different states in India.
• Compliance Benefits: GST registration ensures compliance with tax laws and eliminates the risk of penalties and fines. It also provides access to various schemes and incentives offered by the government to registered businesses.
• Competitive Advantage: GST registration gives businesses a competitive advantage over unregistered ones. Registered businesses can provide a GST invoice to their customers, which indicates the amount of tax charged and gives a professional image.
• Easier Bank Loans: GST registration helps businesses to obtain bank loans quickly as it establishes the authenticity and credibility of the business. It also indicates that the business complies with tax laws and is less risky for lenders.

• Professional Guidance: Filing Buddy provides access to a team of experts who can offer valuable advice and assistance throughout the GST registration process.
• Convenience: Businesses can complete the entire GST registration process using Filing Buddy's user-friendly online platform, without the need to leave their office or home.
• Time-Saving: Filing Buddy's streamlined registration process is designed to be efficient and quick, saving businesses valuable time and effort.
• Cost-Effective: Filing Buddy offers competitive pricing for its services, making it an affordable option for businesses of any size.
• Easy and User-Friendly Process: Filing Buddy offers a simple and user-friendly process for GST registration online, making it easy for you to complete the process hassle-free.
• Expert Assistance: Filing Buddy has a team of experts who can guide you through the entire GST registration process online, providing the necessary support and assistance.
• Affordable Pricing: Filing Buddy offers affordable pricing for GST registration online, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.
• Timely Updates and Notifications: Filing Buddy updates you throughout the entire GST registration process online, providing timely notifications and updates regarding your application.
• Secure and Reliable: Filing Buddy ensures that all your personal and confidential information is kept safe and secure, providing a reliable platform for online GST GST registration.