GST VERIFICATION ONLINE – SEARCH GSTIN NUMBER

What is the GSTIN Number?

Goods and services tax identification number or simply GSTIN is a unique identification number provided to individuals or companies registered under the GST Act. It is a 15 digit unique number (a combination of alphabet and numbers)based on your permanent account number (PAN). To obtain the GST number, the entity or the business has to disclose all the business information. This is to ensure transparency and reduce fraud/malpractices.

GST Identification Number Format

The structure of the GST looks something like this: 88-ABCDE1111F-9-Z-6. Let’s look at the number as 5 components.

• The first two digits (88) are the state verification code. The two-digit code is unique for each state for easier identification. It is the state code to which the business/entity belongs or where it is registered.
• The next 10 digits (ABCDE1111F) is the PAN number of the taxpayer of the registered business.
• 13th Digit (9) – A number – Entity number.
• 14th Digit (Z)- Z – This is the default alphabet for every GST number.
• 15th Digit (6)- Check metric or check code mainly to prevent or detect errors.

88-ABCDE1111F-9-Z-6	The 15 digit GST number
88	These two digits represent the state code
ABCDE1111F	This 10 digit code is the PAN number of the registered taxpayer
9	Entity number of the same PAN card holder
Z	This is the default alphabet in all the GST numbers
6	Check metric or check code mainly to prevent or detect errors.

Validity of your GST Registration

If you are a regular GST taxpayer (Indian citizen registered in the country), there is no expiry date on your GST registration certificate until it is either surrendered or canceled. For casual taxpayers and non-residents, there is a validity date that is specified on the GST certificate provided to them. NRIs should keep a tab on their expiration date and go for a new registration accordingly. It is very important to know your GST and keep on top of the upcoming changes in the policies and structures. The government had made the GST number search and verification process seamless.

How to Check GST Number/GST Number Verification Online

Post completion of your registration process, it usually takes a week (or 7 working days) for the government to accept and to provide a provisional GST identification number. The final GST identification number along with the certificate can be accessed post 10 working days from the date of registration.

You can visit the GST portal to check the status of your application from the day the registration is completed on the portal. The government has made it extremely simple and a seamless process for GST number search and to verify your registration status on the portal.

• Enter the GST portal
• Go to “Search Taxpayer” → And choose “Search by GSTIN/UN”
• Enter your 15 digit GST identification number

If you enter the correct details

In the GSTIN search, if you enter the correct information, all the information regarding your business will be displayed, for example, the name and type of your business or entity, details of the taxpayer, address, registration details, etc.

If you enter incorrect details

You will witness an error page. You will then have to check and verify your GST details, or you might have to contact your vendor to verify the same.

It is extremely important to do the GSTIN search and verify any GST number before you sign deals with other business partners or vendors or suppliers for your business. There are so many fraudulent activities and malpractices which are conducted in the name of fake GSTINs. Don’t let them dupe you into doing a deal with them.

Every business, once it completes its GST registration, will be provided with a provisional GST number until they receive the final confirmation. So, it is essential to check before you get involved with other businesses. It is mandatory for businesses to have a GST number under the CGST Act, 2017.

Online GSTIN search

It is a very simple process to do GSTIN search and verify GST numbers online. There are two ways you can do this.

1. If you have the PAN number of the taxpayer in the business or

2. You already have the GST number, and you want to double-check or verify the details.

For the latter one, you can follow the steps mentioned in the earlier section. For the former, where you have the PAN details, and you want to search, here’s how you can do the GST number search on the portal

1. Enter the GST portal – The home page
2. Go to “Search Taxpayer” → And choose “Search by PAN”
3. Enter the 10 digit PAN number of the individual or business

You will be provided with all the details associated with the particular PAN number, including the GST number.

General Cases of Misuse of GST Number

Every business is mandated to register under the GST act and hold its unique identification number. Many businesses are starting to understand the importance of the GST number. However, there are a lot of fraudulent activities and malpractices undertaken by vendors, suppliers, or other businesses to manipulate customers.

The major reason a supplier or vendor manipulates is to earn the tax which has to be paid to the government. So it is very common for these vendors to use a fake GSTIN number while supplying quotes to their customers. Here the vendor charges the customer the respective GST amount, but it fails to pass it to the government. This is a fraudulent activity that customers have to be careful when dealing with new vendors, suppliers, or other business partners. Also, the suppliers or vendors can create bogus invoices and adjust their tax liabilities; this is another great concern that is difficult to track.

Hence, it is very important to do the GST number search and verify the GST certificate of new vendors or suppliers to ensure no fraud and also to protect the country’s tax revenues.

Wrapping up

Did you hear about the GST Business Loan in India? Many financial institutions (public and private banks, government organizations) provide business loans to MSMEs, which is one of the popular schemes. It is a term loan for business up to INR 1 Crore based on your company’s GST returns. Isn’t that great? By simply filling your GST returns, you can ease liquidity for your business. Platforms like FlexiLoans are making this process much simpler and are providing a seamless experience. You can get your financing requirements approved in less than 48 hours.

Frequently asked Questions

• What are the main uses of a GST number?

GST number is one of the main prerequisites to have before you start a business. The GST law has mandated the business to use this identifier at all levels and processes in the business. It has to be used while you raise invoices, pay bills, file tax returns, and validate your business transactions. The display of the GST certificate is mandated in most business transactions.

• Can a business (the same entity) have more than one GST number?

Yes, absolutely. If you own a business that is operational in more than one state in the country, the taxpayer should have registrations for each state. They have to apply for separate registrations to be operational in different states and have to comply with the procedures accordingly.

• What are the different types of GST jurisdictions?

As per the GST law, There are two levels – central GST and State GST. Both of these have their respective jurisdictions. To understand the details of your GST jurisdiction, you need to go to the particular state GST website and check. Similarly, the details of central jurisdiction will be mentioned in the CBIC portal.

• How can you complain about a fake GST number?

While checking if you encounter any companies with fake GST numbers, there is a way you can reach out to the authorities and let them know about the fraud. But before doing that, ensure that you’ve verified the GST number on the website, and then you can email at helpdesk@gst.gov.in.