GST Registration

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.

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.

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 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, Tripura, 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.

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 instill 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.

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.

• 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, 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.

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.

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

• 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.

You can obtain your GST registration online through PKRIDS. 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 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. If you need assistance, our team of experts is at your service to guide you through the GST return filing process.

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) certificate is a document issued by the Indian government that certifies that a business is registered with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. It is a unique identification number that is used to identify a business for taxation purposes in India.

Any business that is registered for GST with the Indian government must have a GST certificate. This applies to both online and offline businesses.

Yes, in India, businesses must obtain a GST certificate in order to be registered for GST. Without a GST certificate, businesses will not be able to charge GST on the goods and services they sell.

Businesses with an annual turnover of more than Rs. 40 lakhs are required to register for GST. However, this limit is lower for businesses in certain special category states, such as Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland. Also, there are different rules for businesses involved in e-commerce, which may have to register for GST regardless of their turnover. Read our article to find more details on turnover limit for GST Registration.

No, only persons registered under GST are allowed to collect GST from the customers. A person not registered under GST cannot even claim the input tax credit on the GST paid.

An E-way bill is an electronic document which serves as an evidence to the movement of goods having a value of more than Rs. 50,000. It available to a supplier or an individual transporting goods. It has two components; Part A, with details such a GSTIN of the supplier and recipient, place of delivery, value of goods, HSN code, reason for transportation and part B, with details of the vehicle and transport documents.

It is a wholly digital interface that eliminates the need for state boundary checks. It will facilitate faster movement of goods and improve the turnaround time of trucks thus reducing costs for the supplier.

As per rule 138 of the CGST Rules, 2017, an e-way bill has to be generated prior to the commencement of the transport of goods.

It is mandatory to generate E Waybill in all cases wherein the value of consignment is more than Rs. 50,000. However, it is not necessary to generate one wherein the goods are being transported by a non- motorized conveyance or if they are being transported from the port, airport, air cargo complex, and land customs station for clearance by customs.

Any taxable person who transports any goods without the cover of specified documents (e-way bill is one of the specified documents) shall be liable to pay a penalty of Rs. 10,000 or the amount of tax sought to be evaded (whichever is higher). Though there are no GST registration charges, compliance measures must be followed to avoid penalties.