GST Registration
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.
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.
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.
1. PAN Card of the Business or Applicant
GSTIN is linked to the PAN of the business. Hence, PAN is required to obtain GST certificate.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Bank 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.
GST Registration Process
- 1. Application Preparation
GST Expert will prepare your GST application and collect the documents necessary through the iCFO platform.
- 2. Application Filing
Once the application is prepared and documents are collected, we will file your application online and provide you ARN number immediately.
- 3. Registration Certificate
Once the GST application and the attached supporting documents are verified by the Officer, GSTIN and GST Certificate is provided.
GST Registration for Foreigners
Goods and Services Tax or GST has been implemented in India from 1st July, 2017 and non-resident taxpayers are also required to obtain GST registration and file GST returns. According to the GST Act, “non-resident taxable person” means any person who occasionally undertakes transactions involving supply of goods or services or both, whether as principal or agent or in any other capacity, but who has no fixed place of business or residence in India.
All non-resident taxable persons are required to appoint an authorised person in India for the purpose of complying with GST regulations.
Non-resident taxpayers are required to obtain GST registration as a Non-Resident Foreign Taxpayer 5 days prior to the undertaking business in India. An application for GST registration for foreign non-resident taxable person must be made through an authorised agent in India. Once, an application for GST registration is filed, a transaction number would be generated. Using the transaction number, GST deposit must be made by the taxpayer to obtain GST registration in India.
Advantages of Goods & Services Tax (GST)
- 1. Unified Platform
With the implementation of GST in India, the indirect taxes would be streamlined and standardized. Under GST regime, businesses would no longer have to obtain multiple VAT registration in different States or obtain a separate VAT and Service Tax registration. A single GST registration would be sufficient across India for selling or purchasing goods or providing services.
- 2. Subsuming of Taxes
Subsumes various other taxes like Central Sales Tax, Additional Customs Duty, Purchase Tax, Luxury Tax, etc., Hence, under GST, many of the taxes in existence today would be subsumed and made into one tax. This would make tax collection and compliance easy for businesses across the country.
- 3. Ease of Doing Business
Currently, many businesses like restaurants, computer sales and services businesses have to comply with both VAT and Service Tax regulations. This creates a compliance burden on the business, as they have to calculate taxes for the transaction based on different rates for different items. Under GST, the distinction between goods and services will be gone – making doing business easy.
- 4. Lower Taxes
Currently in some states under the VAT regime, businesses are required to comply with VAT regulations once they cross an annual turnover of Rs.5 lakhs. Under GST regime, GST liability accrues only if an entity crosses an annual turnover of Rs.10 lakhs in northeast or hill states, whereas for rest of India, the threshold is set at Rs.20 lakhs.
- 5. Larger Tax Base
GST is expected to increase the tax base in India significantly. Hence, the overall tax liability for businesses is expected to reduce overtime, as more and more businesses become compliant. Further, GST will use the latest in technology, including data from Aadhaar database, PAN database, etc., to make GST registration and GST return filing process, as seamless as possible.
Temporary GST Registration
Goods and Services Tax or GST has been implemented in India from 1st July, 2017 and casual taxable persons are also required to obtain GST registration and file GST returns. According to the GST Act, “casual taxable person” means a person who occasionally undertakes transactions involving supply of goods or services or both in the course or furtherance of business, whether as principal, agent or in any other capacity, in a State or a Union territory where he has no fixed place of business. A casual taxable person is mandatorily required to obtain GST registration irrespective of annual aggregate sales turnover.
Casual taxable persons are required to obtain GST registration under a special category at least 5 days prior to the undertaking business. An application for casual taxable person GST registration can be filed online along with identity proof, address proof and photographs of the promoters.
Once, an application for casual taxable person GST registration is filed, a transaction number would be generated. Using the transaction number, GST deposit must be made by the taxpayer to obtain casual taxable person GST registration in India.
Advantages of Goods & Services Tax (GST)
- 1. Unified Platform
With the implementation of GST in India, the indirect taxes would be streamlined and standardized. Under GST regime, businesses would no longer have to obtain multiple VAT registration in different States or obtain a separate VAT and Service Tax registration. A single GST registration would be sufficient across India for selling or purchasing goods or providing services.
- 2. Subsuming of Taxes
Subsumes various other taxes like Central Sales Tax, Additional Customs Duty, Purchase Tax, Luxury Tax, etc., Hence, under GST, many of the taxes in existence today would be subsumed and made into one tax. This would make tax collection and compliance easy for businesses across the country.
- 3. Ease of Doing Business
Currently, many businesses like restaurants, computer sales and services businesses have to comply with both VAT and Service Tax regulations. This creates a compliance burden on the business, as they have to calculate taxes for the transaction based on different rates for different items. Under GST, the distinction between goods and services will be gone – making doing business easy.
- 4. Lower Taxes
Currently in some states under the VAT regime, businesses are required to comply with VAT regulations once they cross an annual turnover of Rs.5 lakhs. Under GST regime, GST liability accrues only if an entity crosses an annual turnover of Rs.10 lakhs in northeast or hill states, whereas for rest of India, the threshold is set at Rs.20 lakhs.
- 5. Larger Tax Base
GST is expected to increase the tax base in India significantly. Hence, the overall tax liability for businesses is expected to reduce overtime, as more and more businesses become compliant. Further, GST will use the latest in technology, including data from Aadhaar database, PAN database, etc., to make GST registration and GST return filing process, as seamless as possible.