List of Documents Required for GST Registration

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Have you ever wondered about the paperwork you need for GST registration? Knowing these essential documents is like having a roadmap for your business journey, making sure you follow the right legal path to smooth operations. Here is a download of all the different documents required for GST registration.

GST Registration

All businesses must mandatorily register for GST if their annual turnover exceeds Rs.20 Lakh in a fiscal year. However, if a person is exclusively engaged in the supply of Goods, the limit for registration exceeds Rs. 40 Lakh. Businesses within special category states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim are subject to distinct regulations. For GST registration in these states, the law stipulates an annual turnover of Rs.20 Lakh for the supply of goods and Rs.10 Lakh for the supply of services.

For registration, one must make an application through the GST Portal. Owners of businesses can fill out an online form on the GST site and upload the required documents. Carrying out business without registering for GST is against the law, and heavy penalties, including prosecution, are imposed if one does so. Thus, a business owner must register for GST.

Who should register for GST?

Ideally, everyone in business crossing the prescribed turnover limit must register for GST. Even though the threshold limit has been set, businesses under the limit can also voluntarily register for GST.

Benefits of having registration

GST not only eases the taxation process but also removes the tax-on-tax burden, where the tax is paid only on the value addition at each point of the sale and increases transparency. With the implication of GST, unorganized sectors such as construction and textiles will be able to exercise Government-beneficial schemes which apply to GST-registered businesses. Thus, GST registration is not just a legal obligation but also a gateway to participating in the formal economy.

Moving forward, the next question that would arise in the reader’s mind is whether they are liable under the law to register for GST?

In addition to the Annual Turnover criteria for GST registration, as explained hereinabove, every Person (i.e. Individual, Firm, Company, LLP, etc.) who is in business needs to register compulsorily in the following cases:

Types of GST

Presently India has 2 types of GST Component

A Person is liable to pay GST under reverse charge
Non-resident taxable person supplying taxable goods and services
Persons supplying interstate goods and services
Persons who provide products or services on behalf of some other registered taxpayer like for e.g. Agents
Persons who act as distributors of input service
E-commerce operators
Aggregators that are supplying services under a brand or trade name
Any individual or group of persons notified by the Central or State Government on the recommendations made by the GST Council

To summarise, if one’s business revenue is below the GST threshold, it is not required to register for GST. However, one can still register for GST to avail of various benefits, such as simplifying taxation compliances, eligibility for Government schemes that can help in business growth, increase market competitiveness, thus leading to accessibility to a larger customer base.

What are the main documents required for GST Registration?

Government registrations require varied documents. Similarly, GST registration requires businesses or individuals to submit certain basic documents. Here is a list of the essential documents required for GST Registration:

Permanent Account Number (PAN card) of the company, in case of company registration
Proof of registration of business
Memorandum of Associations/Articles of Associations in case of company
PAN card, Aadhaar card and photographs of all authorised signatories. (An authorised signatory is the person authorised by the taxpayer on his behalf to carry out the requirements in the GST portal.)
Proof of appointment of authorised signatory
Taxpayers photograph
Address proof of the taxpayer
Address proof of principal place of business
Bank account details
Digital Signature

GST registration documents for individuals and sole proprietors

A sole proprietorship is a company run by one individual who is in charge of managing and making decisions for the company. It is the simplest type of business structure in India. It is not governed by any special law and has the fewest formalities to set up.

A sole proprietorship is regulated through the Shops and Establishment Act, which defers from state to state for e.g., the Shops and Establishment Act of Delhi is The Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, of 1954. Additionally, there isn’t much documentation needed to start a sole proprietorship firm.

Thus, if one runs a sole proprietorship, the main documents required for GST registration are:

Details of Bank account
PAN card of the owner
Owner’s address proof
Owner’s Photographs
Owner’s Aadhaar card
Proofs for the Place of Business and additional place of business

GST registration documents for companies

A company is an artificial legal entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013. GST registration is important if a company exceeds the revenue threshold as mentioned above. The main documents required for GST registration of companies are:

Address proof of principal place of business
Company PAN card
Bank details
Incorporation certificate of Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Address proof of all directors
Memorandum/ Article of Association
PAN card of all directors
Signatory’s PAN card
Signatory's appointment proof
Signatory’s Aadhaar card
A resolution naming the authorized person from the company
Proof of the Place of Business and additional places of business

Conclusion

This article helps clarify details around GST registration. However, if one’s business does not fit the above criteria, one must still register for GST due to its innumerable benefits such as simplifying taxation compliances and eligibility to government schemes that help businesses. Further, it also helps increase market competitiveness and allows access to a larger customer base.

The documents required for GST registration serve as crucial prerequisites for establishing a seamless and accountable tax system. Adequate documentation is pivotal for GST registration, streamlining the process and ensuring legal compliance. Knowing important GST registration documents is like having a clear path to follow, ensuring one can register smoothly and stay on the right side of the law.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is an authorized bank to collect Goods & Services Tax (GST) through its digital integration with the GST portal. Individual and corporate customers can make end-to-end tax payments on this portal simply by selecting Kotak Net Banking as a payment option or pay using Credit Card/Debit Card or UPI of any bank via the Kotak Payment Gateway. Customers can also make GST payments through cash, cheque or DD by selecting “Over-the-Counter” mode of payment while creating a challan on the GSTN portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How to change GST registration details?

In the case of amendments or changes required in GST registration, the applicant must submit the application for Amendment of GST Registration via the Form provided on the GST portal within 15 days of any informational changes. The applicant must also digitally sign the GST amendment application using e-sign, EVC or DSC.

2) How do you download a GST registration certificate?

The GST registration certificate is available for download on the respective GSTN portal of the taxpayer. The Government does not provide any physical copy. The user/ taxpayer can log in to their GSTN portal and go to the user service tab to download the certificate.

3) What are the benefits of GST registration?

There are many advantages to GST registration, such as legal recognition of suppliers of goods and services, simplifying taxation services, reduction in costs, and bringing uniformity to the taxation process

4) What are the charges for GST registration?

The GST registration process is free of charge. However, if the person or business fails to obtain GST registration, he becomes liable for 10% of the tax amount to be paid or Rs.10,000 whichever is higher. Further tax evasion will result in a penalty of 100% of the tax amount owed.

5) How much time does it take for GST registration?

As long as the enrolment procedure is correctly completed in accordance with the laws established, the GST Registration process typically takes 3 to 6 working days.

6) Can I cancel my registration in the future?

Yes, one can cancel the GST registration through the GST portal. They can go to the heading of registrations under the GST portal to cancel the registration

“This Article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this Article do not necessarily constitute the views of Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (“Bank”) or its employees. The Bank makes no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the material and articles contained in this Article. The information contained in this Article is sourced from empanelled external experts for the benefit of the customers and it does not constitute legal advice from the Bank. The Bank, its directors, employees and the contributors shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or loss resulting from or arising due to reliance on or use of any information contained herein.”