GST Registration: Eligibility, Documents, Applying Process

Since the start of the GST in the Indian economy, it has amended the taxation system of the country. While the GST is known for the easier taxation process and enhancing the simplicity of doing a business in the longer run, the process of GST along with the role of the GSTIN or the goods and services tax identification number is going to have an immediate impact on the functioning of their business and must be learned by the businesses and stakeholders. 

The tax identification number called the GSTIN comprises a 15-digit unique code that is assigned to every business that registers itself beneath the GST. One shall apply for the GST identification number by enrolling for GST which is a no-cost process provided by the Government of India. One would enroll for the GST in the mentioned two ways:

1. Online registration on the GST portal
2. Offline Registration by going to the GST Seva Kendra.

Eligibility to Apply for GSTIN

You shall go through the below-mentioned criteria for the applicability of GSTIN if you have confusion about whether your business is assumed to register beneath GST or if it is qualified to do so:

• All those goods that supply business ventures pose a yearly turnover of more than Rs 40 lakh in a fiscal year required to enroll themselves as a normal taxable entity. The same limit is Rs 20 lakh for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Northeastern states of India.
• All those services providers whose yearly turnover is more than Rs 20 lakh in a fiscal year are needed to enroll for the GST as a normal taxable entity. Towards the special category states i.e. Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Northeastern states, the yearly turnover limit is Rs 10 lakh.

Businesses to Whom GST Enrollment is Mandatory Other Than the Annual Turnover

• TDS/TCS deductor 
• Inter-State Goods and Services suppliers
• Online data access/ Retrieval service provider
• Any casual taxable person 
• Any input service distributor (ISD)
• Any Non- resident taxable entity 
• Those who are liable to pay the tax due to the reverse-charge mechanism.
• Agents or suppliers of goods via an e-commerce portal

Important:- During the operation from more than one state, enrollment is needed for each state in which the business is beneath the operation.

Needed documents for the GST Enrollment:

For Proprietor

• Bank Statement/Cancelled Cheque (after registration)
• PAN Card
• Electricity Bill 
• Rent Agreement (if rented) 
• Aadhaar Authentication
• Photograph 

For Partnership Firm

• Authorized Signatory Letter 
• Rent Agreement (if rented)
• PAN, Aadhaar, Photo of the partners 
• Bank Statement/Cancelled Cheque (after registration)
• PAN of the Entity 
• Electricity Bill 

For Private Limited Companies/LLP

• Rent Agreement (if rented)
• Certificate of Incorporation
• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
• PAN, Aadhaar, and Photo of the Directors/Partners
• Authorized Signatory Letter
• Bank Statement/Cancelled Cheque (after registration)
• PAN of the Entity 
• Electricity Bill 

Through the issuance of the notification 62/2020 on 20/08/2020, an amendment has been performed to the enrollment procedure. The revised states that a person who is enrolling for the GST will go through the Aadhaar Authentication Process which will happen on the submission of the application date. In case when an individual opts not to go for Aadhaar Authentication, then a physical verification of the location of that business is required. Only post to the authentication or the physical verification could the registration number be provided. A notice in the form GST REG-03 is given in 21 days from the submission of an application made without meeting with Aadhaar authentication or a failed authentication. Towards the application, the officer needs to opt for action in 21 days from the date of submission of the application in which the Aadhaar Authentication has not been chosen or the same has failed. The enrollment would be deemed approved if the SCN is not provided in 21 days via the officer. 

Note: GST returns need to be furnished when the assessee gets his or her firm enrolled beneath GST. Under the rules, if found, default would lead to penalties.