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GST Registration - Eligibility, Process and Expert Help

GST is the biggest tax reform in India, tremendously improving ease of doing business and increasing the taxpayer base in India by bringing in millions of small businesses in India. By abolishing and subsuming multiple taxes into a single system, tax complexities would be reduced while tax base is increased substantially. Under the new GST regime, all entities involved in buying or selling goods or providing services or both are required to register for GST. Entities without GST registration would not be allowed to collect GST from a customer or claim input tax credit of GST paid or could be penalised. Further, registration under GST is mandatory once an entity crosses the minimum threshold turnover of starts a new business that is expected to cross the prescribed turnover.


As per the GST Council, entities in special category states with an annual turnover of Rs.10 lakhs and above would be required to register under GST. All other entities in rest of India would be required to register for GST if annual turnover exceeds Rs.20 lakhs. There are also various other criteria’s, that could make an entity liable for obtaining GST registration – irrespective of annual sales turnover. Entities required to register for GST as per regulations must file for GST application within 30 days from the date on which the entity became liable for registration under GST.


FCPA is the leading business services platform in India, offering a variety of services like income tax filing, GST return filing, private limited company registration, trademark filing and more. FCPA can help you obtain GST registration in India and maintain GST compliance through a proprietary GST accounting software. The average time taken to obtain GST Certificate is about 5 – 10 working days, subject to government processing time and client document submission. Get a free consultation on GST and GST return filing by scheduling an appointment with an FCPA Advisor.

GST Registration - Eligibility, Process and Expert Help

Turnover Criteria

A Nidhi company has ‘perpetual succession’, that is continued or uninterrupted existence until it is legally dissolved. A Nidhi company, being a separate legal person, is unaffected by the death or other departure.

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Registration under GST is mandatory for entities undertaking inter-state supply of goods and/or services, irrespective of aggregate annual turnover. For example, if a business in Maharashtra supplies goods to a business in Tamil Nadu, then GST registration is required.

Inter-State Supply

All entities having service tax or VAT or central excise registration must be registered under GST mandatorily. Existing taxpayers have been provided with Provisional ID and password for completion of GST migration formalities and generation of GSTIN by the respective tax departments.

E-Commerce Sellers

Entities involved in the supply of goods or services through e-commerce platforms are mandatorily required to be registered under GST, irrespective of aggregate annual turnover. Hence, sellers on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal.

Casual Taxable Persons

A casual taxable person is someone who occasionally undertakes supply of goods or services having no fixed place of business. An example of a casual taxable person can be a fireworks shops setup during Diwali festival time, selling fireworks or a temporary food stall.

Documents Required for GST Registration

PAN Card of the Business or Applicant

GSTIN is linked to the PAN of the business. Hence, PAN is required to obtain GST certificate.

Identity and Address Proof of Promoters

Identity proof and address proof documents like PAN, passport, driving license, aadhaar card or voters identity card must be submitted for all the promoters.

Business Registration Document

Proof of business registration like incorporation certificate or partnership deed or registration certificate must be submitted for all types of registered entities.

Address Proof for Place of Business

Documents like rental agreement or sale deed along with copies of electricity bill or latest property tax receipt or municipal khata copy must be submitted for the address mentioned in the GST application.

Digital Signature

Class 2 or class 3 digital signature is required for the authorised signatory to sign and submit the GST application. In case of proprietorship, there is no requirement for digital signature.

6Bank Account Proof

Scanned copy of the first page of bank passbook showing a few transaction and address of the business must be submitted for the bank account mentioned in the registration application.

Documents Required for GST Registration

What is the time limit for taking registration under GST?

An entity liable to be registered under GST should apply for registration under GST within 30 days from the date on which the entity becomes liable to register for GST. Casual taxable persons and non-resident taxable persons are required to be registered under GST, prior to commencing business.

Can a business operate across India with one GST number?

No. An entity operating in multiple states will have to get registered separately for each of the States from where taxable supply of goods or services is made.

Can entities with VAT or service tax apply for new GST certificate?

Procedure has been provided in the GST portal for migration of existing service tax or VAT or central excise to GST. Entities registered under old tax laws must complete GST migration mandatorily to obtain GST.

Can I register for GST voluntarily?

Yes. Any entity wishing to claim input tax credit can registered voluntarily, even if not liable to be registered. After registration, voluntarily registered entities will also have to comply with regulations as applicable to a normal taxable person.

Is PAN mandatory for registerting under GST?

Yes. PAN is mandatory for normal taxpayers and casual taxable persons to be registered under GST. However, PAN is not mandatory for a non-resident taxable person for obtaining registration.

What is the validity of GST certificate?

Once GST certificate is granted, the registration is valid until its surrendered or cancelled or suspended. Only GST certificate issued to non-resident taxable person and casual taxable person have a validity period.