The Goods and Services Tax or GST was launched in India on July 1, 2017, in order to simplify the tax structure in India. The primary purpose of implementing it was one nation, one tax, and one market. GST has taken the place of most of the taxes that used to exist in the country, including VAT, excise, and service tax.
If you have a business, it is paramount that you register under GST and get a unique GST number, also known as Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN). This number is allotted to businesses by the tax authorities. In this article, we will talk about why you need a GSTIN and how to verify GST number.
Why Do You Need a GST Number?
According to law, all businesses in India must get GST registration to avail of various benefits provided under the GST regime. It is compulsory for any enterprise with an annual turnover above Rs. 20 lakhs to obtain a GSTIN. Moreover, all the registered dealers are required to file GST returns and pay the liabilities, if any.
In case the GST paid is more than the GST liability, the business will receive a refund by using their GSTIN. It is important to verify GST number as it can be useful when applying for loans to fund enterprises. In case you want to be eligible for a business loan, you must get done with the registration at the GST portal by the Government of India.
What Does the GST Number look like?
The GST number or a GSTIN is a unique code that is assigned to every taxpayer, which is PAN-based and state-wise. Let us see what the 15-digit GST number represents:
- The very first two digits indicate the state code as per the Indian Census 2011. Each state or Union territory has a unique code. For instance, 27 is for Maharashtra and 09 is for Uttar Pradesh.
- The next ten digits represent the PAN number of the business or the taxpayer.
- The 13th element indicates the number of registrations made in a state for the same PAN.
- The 14th element is the alphabet ‘Z’ by default.
- Finally, the 15th and the last digit is a check code for detecting errors. It may be a number or an alphabet.
How to Verify GST Number?
It is quite easy to verify GST number for your business. The verification can be done with the help of various tools available online with a single click and without paying a single penny. You can follow these simple steps to complete the process using the official GST portal:
- Visit the official GST website.
- When you are on the home page, click on the dropdown option named ‘Search Taxpayers.’
- After that, go to search by ‘GSTIN/UIN.’
- Fill in your GST number.
- Enter the captcha and click on the search button. This will help you verify GST number.
Final Thoughts!
There are many GST verification and search tools available online. So, it is important that you verify GST number on a trusted website such as Razorpay. They can help you verify GST number free of cost and also lets you see the business details, including the legal name of the business, date of registration, type of business, status and much more.
On their website, you can easily get done with your verification by entering your valid GSTIN in the box and clicking on the search button. You will also be able to view many other details related to the business. Visit their website today to verify your GST number and learn more about their services.