The GST registration process has been made quite simple by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to ease the tax filing process.
Today, businesses can apply for GST online by visiting the official site of the government. This applies to all businesses that have an annual of Rs. 10/20/40 lakh as the case may be according to state and kind of goods/services to register for GST.
Note that businesses have to go through the Aadhaar authentication to eliminate the chances of cancellation of registration. Read on to understand the complete process here.
Eligibility Criteria for GST Registration
The following mentions the categories and eligibility to apply for GST numbers online:
Turnover
Businesses that deal in goods and services and have a turnover of more than Rs. 20 Lakhs must obtain GST registration. This limit is Rs. 10 lakhs for businesses in special category states, while businesses that are engaged in the exclusive supply of goods and their turnover crosses Rs. 40 lakhs must also get GST registration.
Inter-state Business
Following the turnover conditions as stated above, any business that deals in the supply of interstate goods and services in India must register online for GST.
E-commerce Platform
Buying and selling of goods on an e-commerce platform also requires GST registration.
Casual Taxable Persons
Businesses that deal in seasonal, cyclical, or intermittent buying and selling of goods through fairs, exhibitions, or peak seasons also need to register for GST.
Voluntary Registration
Businesses can voluntarily apply for GST numbers and can surrender them at any time.
Documents Required to Initiate GST Registration
Before registering online, businesses must keep the following documents handy:
- Proof of Constitution of Business
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Passport-size photo of the applicant
- Photo of the Authorised Signatory
- Letter of Authorisation
- Resolution copy that was passed by MC or BoD along with the acceptance letter
- Place of business (proof)
- Electricity Bill
- Legal ownership document
- Municipal Khata Copy
- Property Tax Receipt
- Proof of Details of Bank Accounts or the first page of the Pass Book
- Bank Statement
- Cancelled Cheque
Step-by-step GST Apply Online Process
Businesses must follow the below-given procedure to apply for a GST number:
Step 1: Visit the GST Portal (https://www.gst.gov.in/ ) and click on the Services, Registration, and New Registration options to GST apply online.
Step 2: Fill in the OTP and generate a Temporary Reference Number (TRN) to start filling out the application. Businesses must specify the state, legal name of the business/entity, PAN of the business (verified), and email address of the Primary Authorized Signatory (verified)
Step 3: OTP Verification for email and mobile
Step 4: TRN will be generated, after which you can log in to TRN
Step 5: Submit Business Information, like the trade name, the constitution of the Business, the date of commencement of business, the date on which liability starts, and the name of the district and Sector/ Circle / Ward / Charge/. A Business can select the Composition Scheme at this step.
Step 6: Business owners must provide promoters and directors information (up to 10) along with their details like name, date of birth, address,
Step 7: Submit the information of the authorized signatory. The applicants nominate the signatory, and he is given the responsibility to file GST returns of the company.
Step 8: Provide the details of the principal place of business – Address, Email address, telephone number, mobile number field, and fax number (with STD Code). You must enter the nature of possession of the premises, whether it is own premises, rented or leased premises, or premises not covered above, along with related documents.
Step 9: You must enter details of the additional property related to the business, like a warehouse, another branch, etc.
Step 10: Provide details of the top 5 goods and services supplied along with the HSN code (goods) and SAC code (services)
Step 11: You must key in the number of bank accounts held along with the account number, IFSC code, and type of account. (Attach a copy of the passbook/bank statement.
Step 12: Before you click on submit, you must verify all the details submitted in the application before submission. Mention the Name of the Authorised Signatory, enter the place where the form is filled, and put a digital signature.
Step 13: You will receive the Application Reference Number (ARN) receipt, which will be sent out to your registered e-mail address and mobile phone number. You can take a printout and use this number to check the status of the application.
Conclusion
Thanks to technology, such procedures can be handled and processed online, which saves time, cost, effort, and inconvenience for businesses across the country. It is recommended that businesses seek professional assistance and advice before following the GST application procedure, as it will make sure that they adhere to all the necessary rules and regulations while benefiting from the convenience and efficiency that technology offers.
