To
register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India, you typically need to
provide several documents to comply with regulatory requirements. Here's a
general list of the documents required for GST registration:
GST registration is essential for
businesses in India. If your business revenue surpasses certain threshold
levels or belongs to specific categories that require GST registration, it's
imperative to register following the GST regulations. IndiaFilings can assist
you in obtaining your GST registration seamlessly.
Contact our experts
today to streamline your GST registration process!
Overview GST
Registration online
Since its introduction on 1 July
2017, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) has been mandatory for all service
providers, traders, manufacturers, and even freelancers in India. The GST
system was implemented to replace Central and state-level taxes such as Service
Tax, Excise Duty, CST, Entertainment Tax, Luxury Tax, and VAT, making the tax
process more streamlined. The GST registration charges vary depending on the
type of business and turnover.
For those taxpayers whose annual
turnover is less than 1.5 crore, the GST framework provides an option for a
composition scheme. This scheme allows them to undergo simplified GST
procedures and pay taxes at a predetermined rate according to their turnover.
The GST mechanism
operates throughout various stages of the supply chain. This includes acquiring
raw materials, production, wholesale, retail, and the eventual sale to the end
consumer. Notably, GST is imposed at every one of these steps. For example,
when a product is produced in West Bengal and then used in Uttar Pradesh, the
GST revenue generated is allocated entirely to Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the
consumption-based nature of GST.
Key Components of
GST Registration
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in
India is structured around three primary components:
·
Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST): This tax is
levied by the Central Government on the supply of goods and services within a
particular state. CGST applies to transactions carried out entirely within the
boundaries of one state.
·
State Goods and Services Tax (SGST): SGST is
charged by the State Government on the supply of goods and services within its
jurisdiction. Similar to CGST, SGST is also limited to transactions happening
within a specific state.
·
Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST): This tax is
imposed by the Central Government on the supply of goods and services that
occur between different states or between a state and a Union Territory. IGST
is relevant for transactions where goods or services cross state or Union
Territory boundaries.
Who is required
to register for GST?
GST registration is essential for the
following persons:
·
Business Entities: Any
enterprise with an aggregate annual turnover exceeding Rs. 40 lakhs. For
special category states under GST, the threshold is Rs. 20 lakhs.
·
Service Providers: Those with an
aggregate annual turnover surpassing Rs. 20 lakhs. For special category states,
this limit is Rs. 10 lakhs.
·
Exemptions: It's important to note that
entities dealing exclusively in GST-exempted goods or services are not bound by
these thresholds.
·
Previously Registered Entities: Entities that
were registered under older tax frameworks (like Excise, VAT, Service Tax,
etc.) need to migrate and register under the GST regime.
·
Inter-State Suppliers: Any entity or
individual involved in the supply of goods across state boundaries.
·
Casual Taxable Entities: Those who
undertake taxable supply occasionally.
·
Entities under Reverse Charge Mechanism: Businesses
obligated to pay tax under the reverse charge.
·
Input Service Distributors & Agents: Distributors
of input services, including their representatives.
·
E-Commerce Platforms: Operators or
aggregators of e-commerce platforms
·
Non-Resident Taxable Entities: Individuals
or entities that are non-resident but engage in taxable supply within India.
·
Supplier's Agents: Representatives
who supply on behalf of a principal supplier.
·
E-Commerce Suppliers: Individuals
or entities that offer goods or services through an e-commerce aggregator.
·
Online Service Providers: Entities
delivering online information, database access, or retrieval services from
outside India to an individual in India, excluding those already registered
under GST.
GST Registration
Turnover Limit
GST registration can be obtained
voluntarily by any person or entity, irrespective of turnover. GST registration
becomes mandatory if a person or entity sells goods or services beyond a
certain turnover. For businesses that need to register, GST apply online allows
for a quick and convenient process.
Service Providers: Any person or
entity who provides service of more than Rs.20 lakhs in aggregate turnover in a
year is required to obtain GST registration. In special category states, the
GST turnover limit for service providers has been fixed at Rs.10 lakhs.
Goods Suppliers: As per
notification No.10/2019 any person who is engaged in the exclusive supply of
goods whose aggregate turnover crosses Rs.40 lakhs in a year is required to
obtain GST registration. To be eligible for the Rs.40 lakhs turnover limit, the
supplier must satisfy the following conditions:
·
Should not be providing any services.
·
The supplier should not be engaged in making intra-state (supplying
goods within the same state) supplies in the States of Arunachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripur
and Uttarakhand.
·
Should not be involved in the supply of ice cream, pan masala or
tobacco.
If the above conditions are not met,
the supplier of goods would be required to obtain GST registration when the
turnover crosses Rs.20 lakhs and Rs.10 lakhs in special category states.
Special Category States: Under GST,
the following are listed as special category states - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura,
Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Aggregate Turnover: Aggregate
turnover = (Taxable supplies + Exempt Supplies + Exports + Inter-State
Supplies)*(Taxes + Value of Inward Supplies + Value of Supplies Taxable under
Reverse Charge + Value of Non-Taxable Supplies).
Aggregate turnover
is calculated based on the PAN. Hence, even if one person has multiple places
of business, it must be summed to arrive at the aggregate turnover.
Advantages of GST
Registration for Businesses
Registering for GST offers a range of
benefits to businesses:
·
Legal Compliance: Ensures that businesses remain
compliant with tax regulations, thus avoiding any potential penalties.
·
Input Tax Credit: Businesses can claim credits
for the GST they've paid on purchases, which can then be set off against the
GST charged on sales, leading to a reduction in tax liability.
·
Inter-State Trade Ease: Encourages
businesses to transact across state boundaries without facing tax-related
challenges.
·
Elimination of Cascading Effect: By removing
the effect of tax being levied on an already taxed amount, the overall cost of
products or services is reduced.
·
Competitive Edge: Being GST compliant can instil
trust in potential customers, opening up more business opportunities.
·
Access to Larger Markets: Major
corporations often prefer collaborating with GST-registered vendors.
·
Optimized Cash Flow: Efficient
management and lower tax liability can enhance the cash flow within a business.
·
Enhanced Credit Rating: Maintaining a
consistent and positive GST compliance record can boost a business's credit
profile.
·
Legal Safeguard: A GST registration protects
businesses and ensures their rights are upheld.
·
Simplified Compliance: The GST
process is streamlined, enabling businesses to file returns and make payments online
easily.
·
Transparent Operations: Ensures
businesses maintain accurate records, promoting a sense of trustworthiness and
professionalism.
GST Certificate
The GST Certificate stands as an
authoritative document provided by the Indian government to entities that are
registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. This certificate
confirms a business's legitimate Registration under GST and prominently
displays key details such as the GST identification number, the business name,
and official address.
Possessing an authentic GST
Certificate is pivotal for enterprises because:
·
Tax Collection Authority: It empowers
businesses to impose and gather GST from their clientele.
·
Tax Credit Claims: With this
certificate, businesses can rightfully claim credits on the GST they've
disbursed on their procurements and operational costs.
·
Furthermore, beyond its tax-related functions, the GST Certificate holds
significance in several other domains:
·
Loan Applications: When seeking
financial aid or loans, businesses might be asked to present their GST
certificates to validate their authenticity.
·
Government Tenders: To be
eligible and participate in official government tenders, the GST Certificate
must often be produced as evidence of tax compliance.
·
Market Reputation: The
certificate enhances a business's stature in the market, reflecting its
commitment to national tax regulations.
GSTIN
GSTIN, which stands for Goods and
Services Tax Identification Number, is a distinctive 15-digit alphanumeric code
allocated to every taxpayer who is registered under the GST framework in India.
This number acts as the primary identifier for both businesses and individuals
in the context of GST-related transactions and compliance. You will receive
GSTIN after successfully submitting the application through the GST Apply
online portal.
Voluntary GST
Registration for Businesses
Businesses generating a turnover of
less than Rs.20 lakhs can do the GST apply online voluntarily.. By doing so,
they can benefit from advantages such as availing input tax credits,
unrestricted inter-state sales, eligibility to list on e-commerce sites, and
establishing a competitive stance against businesses that aren't
GST-registered. While this Registration isn't a mandate, it paves the way for
enhanced growth prospects and the potential for increased profitability.
GST Registration
Documents Requirements
Below, we have given the GST
registration documents to use it as a checklist.
Sole proprietor / Individual |
·
PAN card of the owner ·
Aadhar card of the owner ·
Photograph of the owner (in JPEG format, maximum
size 100 KB) ·
Bank account details* ·
Address proof** |
LLP and Partnership Firms |
·
PAN card of all partners (including managing
partner and authorized signatory) ·
Copy of partnership deed ·
Photograph of all partners and authorised
signatories (in JPEG format, maximum size 100 KB) ·
Address proof of partners (Passport, driving
license, Voters identity card, Aadhar card etc.) ·
Aadhar card of authorised signatory ·
Proof of appointment of authorized signatory ·
In the case of LLP, registration certificate /
Board resolution of LLP ·
Bank account details* ·
Address proof of principal place of business |
HUF |
·
PAN card of HUF ·
PAN card and Aadhar card of Karta ·
Photograph of the owner (in JPEG format, maximum
size 100 KB) ·
Bank account details ·
Address proof of principal place of business |
Company (Public and Private) (Indian and foreign) |
·
PAN card of the Company ·
Certificate of incorporation given by Ministry of
Corporate Affairs ·
Memorandum of Association / Articles of
Association ·
PAN card and Aadhar card of authorized signatory.
The authorised signatory must be an Indian, even in case of foreign
companies/branch registration ·
PAN card and address proof of all directors of
the Company ·
Photograph of all directors and authorised
signatory (in JPEG format, maximum size 100 KB) ·
Board resolution appointing authorised signatory
/ Any other proof of appointment of authorised signatory (in JPEG format /
PDF format, maximum size 100 KB) ·
Bank account details ·
Address proof of principal place of business |
Penalty for Not
Obtaining GST Registration
·
For Non-Payment or Underpayments: If a taxpayer
either neglects to pay the requisite tax or mistakenly underpays, an acceptable
equivalent of 10% of the outstanding tax amount is levied. It's important to
note that while there are no GST registration fees, penalties for
non-compliance can be significant.
·
Intentional Tax Evasion: If an individual or
business willfully avoids paying the due taxes, the penalty equals 100% of the
evaded tax amount.
Get GST
Registration Online quickly through IndiaFilings
You can obtain your GST registration
online through IndiaFilings. Enter your name, phone number and email to being
the process.
When we receive your request a GST
expert will reach out to you and understands your business activity, the state
where the business is operating and answer any questions that you may have.
The GST expert will also collect and
verify the GST registration documents to ensure a smooth registration process.
Once the payment is initiated we start with the GST registration online process
and we upload all your application into the GST Portal.
You obtain the GST
registration within 3 to 7 working days. Everything is completely online you
don't need to be physically present at the office for the same. Along with the
GST registration, access is provided to LEDGERS Platform for your to do GST
invoicing and GST return filing.
GST Return Filing
GST return filing is
a formal process in which a taxpayer provides the government with information
regarding their sales, purchases, and taxes collected and disbursed. In India,
every GST-registered taxpayer must submit these returns consistently, even if
there were no sales or purchases during a particular period. While there are no
GST registration fees, ensuring a compliant and accurate registration is
crucial to avoid penalties.