GST Registration Process & Relevant Dates

Introduction:

Registration is the first step that enables a business to work under GST. Chapter VI of the CGST Act, 2017 and the rules made thereunder provide all about registration under the GST regime. There are about 80 lakh excise, service tax and VAT assessees at present, that are to be migrated to GST and new registrations are also to be made.

A unique identification number known as the GSTIN (Goods and Service Tax Identification Number) will be issued under the new regime.

Why registration? – Its advantages

Registration confers the following advantages to the business:

• Legally recognized as a supplier of goods or services.
• Proper accounting of taxes paid on the input goods or services, which can be utilized for payment of GST due on the supply of goods or services or both by the business.
• Legally authorized to collect tax from his purchasers and pass on the credit of the taxes paid on the goods or services supplied to purchasers or recipients.
• Timely registration will help to avoid any kind of legal complexities with tax authorities.

Who is required to register?

Every person who makes a taxable supply of goods or services or both and whose aggregate turnover exceeds the threshold limit of Rs. 20 lakhs, in a financial year, is compulsorily required to get itself registered.

However, a threshold limit of Rs. 10 lakhs of aggregate turnover in a financial year is applicable in the case where such person makes taxable supplies of goods or services or both from any of the special category states (viz. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand).

The supplier liable for registration will have to take a separate registration in each of the states from where the taxable supplies made, even if it is a single entity.

A person having multiple business verticals in a State or Union territory may be granted a separate registration for each business vertical, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

Compulsory registration:

There are certain categories of persons that are required to obtain registration irrespective of their turnover (viz. persons making any interstate taxable supply, persons required to pay tax on reverse charge basis, electronic commerce operators etc.).

When to apply for registration?

Every person who is liable to be registered shall apply for registration in every such State or Union territory in which he is so liable within 30 days from the date on which he becomes liable to registration.

What about existing dealers/assessees? – Migration provisions

All existing registrants having a valid Permanent Account Number (PAN), will be issued a provisional registration certificate. They will be issued a provisional ID and password by CBEC/State Commercial Tax departments, which can be used to login to the GST common portal (www.gst.gov.in), to submit further documents and details. After furnishing required information, the final certificate of registration will be issued. If the information is not furnished, the registration is liable to be cancelled.

Registration Process – Step by Step

1. Login to GST online portal
2. Fill form GST REG – 01, Part A (PAN, mob. no., email-id)
3. Verification of above details by OTP
4. Get Application Reference Number (ARN)
5. Fill form GST REG – 01, Part B (using ARN and other required documents)
6. Obtain acknowledgment – in Form GST REG -02
7. If officer approves application – Registration Certificate Issued – in Form GST REG – 06 within 3 days
8. If additional information required by officer in – Form GST REG – 03
9. Submit additional information in Form GST REG – 04 – within 7 days
10. If officer approves application – Registration Certificate Issued – in Form GST REG – 06 within 3 days
11. If officer rejects application – person informed about rejection – Form GST REG – 05

Documents required for registration:

• Photographs – of the proprietor, partners, authorized signatory etc.
• Constitution of taxpayer – deed, registration certificate etc.
• Proof of principal or additional place of business
• Bank account details
• Authorization form

Relevant dates for registration:

GST registration dates have been extended. Enrollment window will reopen on 25 June 2017 and continue for 3 months as per rule. In addition, your provisional ID will be your GSTIN. The way forward in different cases is as follows:

• If you are a Taxpayer having received Acknowledgement Reference Number (ARN): You should be able to download the Provisional Registration Certificate from “Download Certificates” at GST website from 27 June 2017.
• If you are a Taxpayer, who has saved the enrolment form with all details but has not submitted the same with DSC, E-Sign or EVC: You will receive the ARN at your registered email ID, if the data given are successfully validated after 27 June 2017. In case of validation failure (data like PAN not matching), you should be able to login at the same portal from 27 June 2017 onwards and correct the errors. You can refer the registered email for details of the errors.
• If you are a Taxpayer, who has partially completed the enrolment form: You can login to the portal on the above mentioned date and complete the rest of the form.
• If you are not an existing Taxpayer and wish to register newly under GST: You would be able to apply for new registration at the GST portal from 25 June 2017.