GST Registration Procedure: Who is Required to Register?

GST, or Goods and Services Tax, is a unified tax system implemented by the Indian government to replace multiple indirect taxes levied on goods and services. To ensure a smooth implementation of GST, all businesses must register for a GSTIN or GST Identification Number. In this article, we will discuss the GST registration process, who needs to register for GST, and the documents required for GST registration.

Who needs to register for GST?

Under the GST Act, every business that carries out taxable supplies of goods or services with an annual turnover of Rs. 40 lakh (Rs. 10 lakh for North-Eastern and hill states) or more must register for GST. This threshold limit is known as the GST registration limit. Businesses that have a turnover below this threshold limit can choose to register for GST voluntarily.

It should be noted that some businesses are required to register for GST regardless of their annual turnover. These businesses include:

1. Inter-state suppliers of goods or services

2. E-commerce operators

3. Taxpayers who were registered under the previous tax regime (e.g. VAT, Service Tax, etc.)

4. Casual taxable persons (e.g. vendors who sell goods or services in a seasonal business)

5. Non-resident taxable persons (e.g. foreign businesses that supply goods or services in India)

Therefore, it is essential to determine whether or not a business is required to register for GST before beginning the GST registration process.

The GST Registration Process

The GST registration process is straightforward and can be completed online through the GST portal. The following are the steps involved in the GST registration process:

1. Visit the GST portal: The GST registration process begins by visiting the GST portal (www.gst.gov.in).

2. Click on the 'Services' tab: Once on the GST portal, click on the 'Services' tab and select 'Registration' from the drop-down menu.

3. Choose 'New Registration': On the next page, select 'New Registration' to begin the GST registration process.

4. Fill in the required details: The GST registration form will appear, and you will need to fill in the required details, including your business name, PAN, email address, and mobile number.

5. Verify your mobile number and email address: Once you have filled in the required details, you will need to verify your mobile number and email address by entering the OTP sent to your mobile and email.

6. Fill in the remaining details: After verifying your mobile number and email address, you will need to fill in the remaining details, including your business address, bank account details, and business type.

7. Upload the required documents: The final step in the GST registration process is to upload the required documents, including your PAN card, ID proof, address proof, and photographs.

8. Submit the application: Once you have completed all the above steps, you can submit your application. Your application will be processed, and your GSTIN will be issued within a few days.

Documents Required for GST Registration

The following are the documents required for GST registration:

1. PAN card of the business

2. Proof of business registration (e.g. partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, etc.)

3. Identity and address proof of promoters (e.g. Aadhar card, passport, driving license, etc.)

4. Address proof of the place of business (e.g. electricity bill, property tax receipt, etc.)

5. Bank account details (e.g. bank statement, cancelled cheque, etc.)

6. Photographs of promoters

Conclusion

In conclusion, GST registration is mandatory for businesses that have an annual turnover of Rs. 40 lakh or more. However, some businesses are required to register for GST regardless of their annual turnover. The GST registration process is simple and can be completed online through the GST portal. To ensure a smooth GST registration process, ensure that you have all the required documents before beginning the process.