GST Registration

On 1st July, 2017, the Government of India implemented what is being called the biggest indirect tax reforms in the country. The implementation of GST or Goods and Services tax has unified the entire country into a common market by levying one single tax on various items. This meant that multiple taxes like service tax, state VAT, Octroi, excise, entry tax etc which were being levied on goods and services at different rates in different states were done away with and replaced with a single tax - GST. In order for this tax to be applicable, GST Registration Process in India mandatorily needed to be followed.

Who needs to undergo GST Registration?

Businesses that make taxable goods or provide services and have a turnover exceeding 20 lacs, (10 lacs in hill states), have to compulsorily have a GST Registration. Apart from this, there are certain people, who irrespective of their annual turnover have to go through GST registration Process in India. These include people who manufacture interstate supplies, people who are into ecommerce operation, non residents but taxable people who make taxable goods or provide taxable services, people who make taxable goods or provide services on behalf of other taxable people etc. There are some people who are exempt from GST and these include those who cultivate the land and supply the produce, people who supply goods and services that our not taxable under GST, individual advocates, players etc.

Understanding GST Registration Process in India

Every person/ business is granted a single registration under GST in a state or Union Territory. The exception to this rule is someone who has different verticals in a state or union territory. He is given multiple registrations – one for each vertical. The GST Registration process in India has about 11 steps in which the individuals have to submitted photographs and scanned copies of the requisite documents. To begin the GST registration Process in India, a number of documents and photographs need to be submitted to endorse and authenticate the individual as the business owner. The most important amongst these is the PAN card without which the GST Registration process in India. Only a non resident, who falls in the taxable category and is eligible for section51 of the CGST Act, is exempt from submitting PAN card. Apart from this, the residents need to furnish their Adhaar card, proof of registration of the business for which GST is sought, identity and address proof of the business owners, proof of address of the business, cancelled cheque, digital signature and letter for authorization for authorized signatory. The entire GST Registration Process in India is supposed to take about 2 -6 business days but often takes longer. Once the registration is complete, the business or service is assigned a 15 digit GSTIN number. The number includes the state code, the Pan number of the registered person, number of registration within a state and a check code. The GST Registration process in India is free of cost. However, there are consultants who can offer services to expedite the process by registering on their behalf

Benefits of GST Registration

Though GST registration process in India seems to be complex and cumbersome, it has many benefits including -