Complete Guide & Document Checklist
How to Register for GST in India
Step-by-step process, required documents checklist, costs, timeline, and frequently asked questions
If your business crosses the turnover threshold in India, you need GST registration. Once registered, you'll get a 15-digit GSTIN that lets you collect tax from customers, claim input tax credit, and operate legally across states.
The entire process happens online at gst.gov.in - no paper forms, no office visits. There's no government fee either. Most businesses still work with a CA or compliance professional to avoid document rejections, but you can absolutely do it yourself. After you submit, verification happens through Aadhaar OTP or a tax officer visit, and you'll typically get approved in 3-7 working days.
Timeline
3-7
working days
Cost
Government fee: Free
Professional assistance: Rs. 999-2,499
Who needs this?
Your annual turnover exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs (goods) or Rs. 20 lakhs (services) in regular states
You operate in special category states with turnover above Rs. 20 lakhs (goods) or Rs. 10 lakhs (services)
You sell or provide services across state lines - GST is mandatory regardless of turnover
You sell on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, or Swiggy
You occasionally make taxable supplies as a casual or non-resident taxable person
You need to pay tax under the reverse charge mechanism
You act as an agent of suppliers or operate as an input service distributor
Documents required
Click on any document to see detailed requirements and how to obtain it
13
Total Documents
11
Required
1
Ollvy Handles
Identity Documents
Your personal KYC documents
PAN Card
REQof the proprietor / all directors (for companies) / all partners (for firms)
Aadhaar Card
REQfront and back - mobile must be linked
Passport-size Photo
REQrecent, white background
Email ID and Mobile Number
REQactive email and mobile for OTP verification on GST portal - must be in India
Business Address Proof
Where your business operates from
Utility Bill
REQof business premises - electricity/water
Rent Agreement
if operating from rented premises
NOC from Owner
OLLVYif utility bill not in your name
Bank & Financial
For business verification
Bank Statement
REQlast 3 months - personal or business account
Cancelled Cheque
REQfrom your bank account
Business Details
Information about your business
Business Name
REQtrade name for your business
Business Description
REQnature of goods/services offered
Principal Place of Business
REQmain business location address
Business Activity and HSN/SAC Codes
REQdescription of goods or services and their HSN/SAC codes - needed for GST registration
PAN Card
Identity Documents
What is this?
In a sole proprietorship, you ARE the business. Your personal PAN becomes your business PAN. No separate company PAN exists - everything runs under your name. For companies and LLPs, the entity's own PAN is used for GST registration (not the director's personal PAN).
How to get it
Just use your existing personal PAN card. Take a clear photo where all text is readable. If you don't have PAN, apply at incometax.gov.in (takes 2 weeks). For companies, the company PAN is issued automatically at incorporation.
Common Issues
For a company, the company's PAN is required (not the director's personal PAN) for GST registration. The company gets its PAN automatically at incorporation. For a sole proprietor, your personal PAN is used. PAN must be linked with Aadhaar for the Aadhaar authentication step in GST registration. Check linkage at incometax.gov.in before starting.
Requirements
- 01Clear colored scan of PAN card
- 02Sole proprietorship: personal PAN is business PAN
- 03Company/LLP: use entity PAN (issued at incorporation)
- 04Must be linked with Aadhaar for authentication
- 05Check PAN-Aadhaar linkage before starting GST registration
Ready to get your GST number?
Get started with Ollvy. We handle the entire GST registration process - from document verification to ARN tracking to GSTIN delivery.
Start GST RegistrationStep-by-step process
Check if you actually need to register
First, confirm your turnover crosses the threshold or that you fall into a mandatory category (like interstate sellers). If you qualify, decide whether you want regular GST or the simpler Composition Scheme (available if turnover is below Rs. 1.5 crore).
Gather your documents
You'll need your PAN card, Aadhaar card, proof of business address (electricity bill or rent agreement works), bank account details with a cancelled cheque, and passport-size photos of all promoters.
Create your GST portal account
Head to gst.gov.in, click New Registration, and fill out Part A of Form REG-01 with your PAN, mobile number, and email. You'll get a Temporary Reference Number (TRN) via SMS and email.
Complete Part B of the application
Log in with your TRN and fill in the details - business name, address, HSN/SAC codes for what you sell, bank account info, and details of all partners, directors, or the proprietor.
Upload documents and submit
Upload everything in the right format (JPEG or PDF, under 1 MB each). Submit using Aadhaar OTP authentication or your Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
Track your application
Note down your Application Reference Number (ARN). You can track status on the GST portal. If the officer raises a query, you have 7 working days to respond - miss this and your application gets rejected.
Download your GSTIN
Once approved, you'll get your GSTIN and GST Registration Certificate (Form REG-06). Download it from the portal and display it at your main place of business.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the turnover limit for mandatory GST registration?
In regular states, it's Rs. 40 lakhs for goods and Rs. 20 lakhs for services. Special category states (Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura) have lower limits - Rs. 20 lakhs for goods and Rs. 10 lakhs for services. But if you sell interstate, you need GST regardless of how much you earn.
Can I register voluntarily even if I'm below the threshold?
Yes, and it often makes sense to. If your clients are GST-registered businesses, they'll want to claim input tax credit - which they can only do if you're registered too. Once you register voluntarily, you have to follow all GST rules just like everyone else.
How many GSTINs can a business have?
You get one GSTIN per state per PAN. Operating in multiple states? You'll need separate registrations for each. Within a single state, you can also add multiple places of business under one GSTIN.
What happens if I don't register when I should?
You'll face a penalty of 10% of the tax due, with a minimum of Rs. 10,000. If the department catches deliberate tax evasion, that jumps to 100% of the tax amount - and criminal prosecution becomes possible.
Can a sole proprietor use their personal PAN for GST?
Yes. As a sole proprietor, you and your business are legally the same entity, so your individual PAN works. Partnerships, LLPs, and companies need to use the firm or company PAN instead.
What is the Composition Scheme and should I opt for it?
It's a simplified option for small businesses with turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore (Rs. 75 lakhs in special states). You pay a fixed percentage - 1% for traders, 2% for manufacturers, 5% for restaurants - instead of regular tax rates. The catch? You can't issue tax invoices or claim input tax credit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- 01Using your personal PAN when you should be using the firm or company PAN
- 02Getting HSN or SAC codes wrong - this causes classification disputes during audits
- 03Selecting the wrong business category or state, which means starting over after rejection
- 04Uploading blurry or expired documents that trigger officer queries and delays
- 05Forgetting to list all your places of business - adding branches later creates compliance headaches
- 06Choosing regular registration when the Composition Scheme would save you money and time
- 07Not responding to officer queries within 7 working days - automatic rejection