The Goods and Services Tax system in India has ease the process of indirect taxation by bringing the various types of taxes under a single umbrella, which is very comfortable and flexible format. For businesses and professionals alike, registering under GST and staying compliant is essential. One common requirement for businesses is to verify their GST registration status, especially when dealing with new vendors or clients. Fortunately, the GST portal allows users to check the GST status of a business using its PAN (Permanent Account Number).
This article will guide you with the help of step-by-step procedure on how to check GST status using a PAN number, explain why it is important, and address some frequently asked questions related to the process.
Why Check GST Status by PAN?
There are several reasons why individuals or businesses may need to check GST registration status by PAN:
- Vendor Verification: Before entering into a business relationship, verifying a supplier’s GST registration helps ensure that the vendor is compliant and input tax credit can be claimed.
- Compliance Check: Business owners may want to verify that all GST registrations under their PAN are active and valid.
- Multiple States Registration: A single PAN can have multiple GST registrations (GSTINs) across different states. Checking status by PAN reveals all these linked registrations.
- Prevent Fraud: It helps prevent dealing with entities using fake or invalid GST numbers.
What is GSTIN?
Before we get into the steps, it is important to understand what a GSTIN is. A Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN)is a unique 15-digit number assigned to each taxpayer registered under GST. It includes:
- First 2 digits: State code
- Next 10 digits: PAN of the business
- 13th digit: Entity number of the same PAN in a state
- 14th digit: Reserved for future use
- 15th digit: Checksum digit
Since GSTIN is PAN-based, the same PAN can be linked to multiple GSTINs if the business operates in multiple states or has multiple verticals within a state.
How to Check GST Registration Status by PAN Number?
Follow these steps to check the GST registration status using a PAN number:
Step 1: Visit the Official GST Portal
- Go to the GST portal: https://www.gst.gov.in
This is the government-authorized platform for all GST-related services.
Step 2: Navigate to “Search Taxpayer”
- On the homepage, hover over the “Search Taxpayer” option in the top menu.
- From the dropdown, click on “Search by PAN”.
Step 3: Enter PAN Details
- You will be redirected to a page where you need to enter the PAN number of the business or individual.
- Enter the CAPTCHA code as displayed on the screen.
- Click the “Search” button.
Step 4: View GSTINs Linked to the PAN
- The portal will display a list of all GSTINs registered under that PAN.
- For each GSTIN, you’ll see details such as:
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- Legal Name of Business
-
- State
-
- Status (Active/Inactive/Cancelled)
This gives a comprehensive view of the GST status linked to a PAN across India.
Understanding the GST Statuses
When you check the GSTINs linked to a PAN, each will have one of the following statuses:
- Active: The GSTIN is valid and operational.
- Inactive: The registration exists but has been suspended or deactivated.
- cancelled: The GSTIN has been cancelled either by the taxpayer or by the department.
If you see an “Active” status, the business is legally registered and eligible to collect GST and issue GST invoices.
What to Do If GSTIN is Not Found?
If no GSTIN is returned for a PAN, it could be due to one of the following reasons:
- The business is not registered under GST.
- The PAN entered may be incorrect.
- There may be a technical issue on the portal (try again later).
If you are expecting GSTINs under a PAN but none show up, it’s advisable to double-check the PAN or contact the GST helpdesk.
Benefits of PAN-Based GST Search
- Quick and Easy: The process is online, free, and takes less than a minute.
- Multi-State Visibility: It helps track all registrations linked to one PAN.
- Fraud Protection: Identifies fake GSTINs and protects your business from potential fraud.
- Vendor Due Diligence: Ideal for finance and procurement teams to verify suppliers.
- Audit and Reconciliation: Ensures that your own GST registrations are accurate and updated.
Tips for Businesses
- Keep a record of all GSTINs linked to your PAN.
- Regularly verify the GST status of vendors to ensure continued compliance.
- Report discrepancies if you find unauthorized GST registrations under your PAN.
Conclusion
Verifying the details of online GST registration status by PAN is a simple yet powerful way to ensure compliance with regulations, helps to reduce risks, and conduct due diligence. Whether you’re a business owner, accountant, or any vendor, this tool is very important for you to navigate the GST landscape in India. Always be aware that you must use the official GST portal and keep your PAN and business records updated to maintain transparency and adequacy.
By making it a routine practice, you not only ensure the legal compliance but also build element of trust, transparency with your clients and partners. So, the next time you want to check GST details—start with the PAN, and let the GST portal do the rest.
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