The fundamental goal of GST was to have one nation, one tax, and one market. GST has largely replaced several federal and state-levied taxes. Businesses must register for GST and get a 15-digit Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN).
On July 1, 2017, the Indian government implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to simplify the country’s tax structure. The fundamental goal of putting it was to have one nation, one tax, and one market. GST has largely replaced several federal and state-levied taxes, including excise, VAT, and service tax. Businesses must register for GST and get a 15-digit Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN). This has taken the place of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) assigned to enterprises by state tax authorities to register for the VAT system. GST number check and GST number verification are important to ensure that the Goods and Services taxes are allocated in the appropriate hands.
GST will combine all registered taxpayers into a single platform for compliance and administration purposes, and they will be registered under a single authority. More than 8 million taxpayers were transferred from several taxing platforms to GST. Tax officials generally use the number to keep track of GST payments and due records for people registered under the GST Act. The GST Registration Process provides businesses with a single platform for all compliance and administration procedures under a single authority. The regime offers a single number for a single business – The Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. GSTIN is open to the public.
Why Do You Require a GSTIN Number?
GST registration is required for businesses to take advantage of the various benefits offered under the GST regime. The government has made a GSTIN mandatory for enterprises with an annual turnover of more than ₹20 lakhs. If you are a registered dealer, you must file GST returns and pay liability if you have any.
In addition, if the GST you pay exceeds the GST liability, you can obtain a refund using your GSTIN. A GSTIN is also useful when applying for a loan to fund your business. Financiers such as Bajaj Finserv offer business loans to help companies buy merchandise, develop commercial space, and expand operations. For being eligible for a business loan, your company must be registered on the GST portal with the Government of India and have a valid GSTIN.
GSTIN Search and GST Number Verification Tool
If you have your GSTIN, you can, free of charge, verify any GSTIN by using a search tool on the GST portal.
The advantages of using the online GSTIN search and GST number verification tool are as follows
- Verifying validity
- Simple verification
- Preventing connection with sellers who use forged GSTINs
- Preventing Fraud
- Correction of any GSTIN reporting inaccuracies
How Do I Utilise the GSTIN Search and GST Number Verification Tool?
Follow the steps given below to use the GSTIN search and GST verification tool.
- In the search box, enter a valid GSTIN number
- Press the Search button.
If the GSTIN entered is correct with the help of GST number verification, you can check the following information:
- The legal name of the business
- The date of registration
- The State
- The GSTIN status/ UIN status
- The business constitution – corporation, sole proprietorship, or partnership
- The kind of taxpayer – ordinary taxpayer or composition dealer
How to Find and Verify GSTIN?
When a taxpayer registers under the GST Act, the GSTIN is listed on the online GST certificate that they receive. Entering the GSTIN number into the government portal will allow you to verify the GST number check. GSTIN information is open to the public, and GST verification can be done via the government portal. You may also locate your GSTIN by entering your PAN number in the government portal – https://services.gst.gov.in/services/searchtp.
GSTIN Misuse
Vendors can abuse GSTIN to deceive customers. The following are some common examples of GSTIN misuse:
- To avoid paying taxes to the government, the supplier can use a forged GSTIN ID
- A provider might generate fake inward invoices to balance the amount of tax liability. These invoices would be generated even if no products were supplied to anyone.
GSTIN Structure
Because it has a consistent format and structure, you can easily determine your GSTIN. Each GSTIN consists of 15 characters. The following are the inspirations for these 15 characters:
- State Code: The first two characters of a GSTIN represent the state code of the individual registered under the GST Act. Each state has its code, and the first two digits of the GSTIN are assigned under this.
- PAN: PAN is an abbreviation for Permanent Account Number. The PAN of the individual who pays tax under the GST Act is the 10 digits after the state code, which is 3 to 12 characters of a GSTIN.
- Registration Number: The GSTIN’s 13th digit is the entity or registration number of the person whose PAN number is preceded in GSTIN, i.e. the person who pays taxes in accordance with the GST Act. The number is assigned based on the number of registrations in the taxpayer’s state of residence.” Z”: For all people registered under the GST Act, the 14th or penultimate digit in the GSTIN is always the alphabet “Z”
- Check Code: The GSTIN’s last digit is a check code, which can be either an alphabet or a number
Example: A GSTIN example is 29GGGGG1314R9Z6, where ’29’ is the Karnataka state code, ‘GGGGG1314R’ is an example of a PAN, ‘9’ is the entity or registration number, ‘Z’ is a frequently used character in GSTIN, and ‘6’ is the check code, which has been signified by a numerical in the given example.
How to Apply for GSTIN?
After registering under the GST Act, a GSTIN will be assigned. Taxpayers can register under the GST Actand acquire a GSTIN as a result:
- By visiting a GST Seva Kendra set up by the government; or by registering online at https://reg.gst.gov.in/registration/
- Once the taxpayer’s application to register under the GST Act is approved, the individual will be assigned a unique 15-digit number known as the GSTIN. This will be delivered through email and SMS to the taxpayer’s registered email address and phone number, accordingly.
As a result, it is preferable to check and verify GSTIN in order to avoid GSTIN manipulation and misuse. Furthermore, GSTIN strives to maintain openness in business transactions and ensure that legitimate GST Returns are filed for the applicable tax period. GST number verification and GST number check are also beneficial because Input Tax Credit can be claimed when the correct GSTIN is utilised.
FAQ: GST Number Verification
What is GSTIN?
GSTIN stands for Goods and Services Tax Identification Number. It is a unique 15-digit identification number assigned to every registered taxpayer under the GST regime in India.
For what purpose GST number is used?
The GST number is used for the purpose of identifying taxpayers and tracking their transactions for tax purposes. It is also used for claiming input tax credit and filing GST returns.
How do I verify my GST certificate?
You can verify your GST certificate by visiting the official GST portal and entering your GSTIN or ARN (Application Reference Number) in the search bar under the 'Search Taxpayer' option.
How can I check my GST certificate without login?
You can check your GST certificate without login by visiting the official GST portal and selecting the 'Search Taxpayer' option. You can then enter your GSTIN or ARN to verify your GST certificate.
How long does GST verification take?
GST number verification usually takes a few minutes to complete, but it may take longer if there are any discrepancies or errors in the information provided.
Can I get my GST certificate online?
Yes, you can get your GST certificate online by visiting the official GST portal and downloading it from the 'Download Certificates' option under the 'Services' tab.
Can we download GST certificate?
Yes, you can download your GST certificate from the official GST portal by logging in with your credentials and selecting the 'Download Certificates' option under the 'Services' tab.
Is GST certificate free?
No, there is no fee associated with obtaining a GST certificate. It is provided free of cost to registered taxpayers by the government. For free GST certificate number verification, get in touch with the experts at Vakilsearch right away!
