Documents Required for Registration

Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax levied on the supply of goods and services, designed to replace indirect taxes and create a unified national market.

Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in India, various documents serve as proof of compliance and transactions. These proofs are essential for claiming Input Tax Credit (ITC), filing returns, and maintaining accurate records. Here are the primary proofs under GST:

1. GST Registration Certificate

• Description: Proof that a business is registered under GST.
• Usage: Required for legal compliance and to undertake taxable supplies.

2. GST Invoice

• Description: A tax invoice issued by a supplier for the sale of goods or services.
• Details: Must include GSTIN of the supplier and recipient, invoice number, date, HSN code, description of goods/services, quantity, value, and applicable GST rates and amounts.
• Usage: Primary document for claiming ITC and recording sales.

3. E-Way Bill

• Description: A document required for the movement of goods worth more than ₹50,000.
• Details: Contains details of the consignor, consignee, goods, and transport.
• Usage: Proof of transportation of goods, required for compliance during transit.

4. Filing of GST Returns

• Description: Monthly/quarterly and annual returns filed by businesses.
• Types:
  • GSTR-1: Details of outward supplies.
  • GSTR-3B: Summary return of outward and inward supplies with tax payment.
  • GSTR-9: Annual return.
• Usage: Proof of tax liability, payment, and ITC claims.

5. Input Tax Credit (ITC) Ledger

• Description: A ledger maintained on the GST portal showing ITC availed, utilized, and remaining.
• Usage: Proof of ITC claims and utilization against GST liability.

6. Payment Challans

• Description: Documents generated for GST payments.
• Details: Includes the amount paid, date, and reference number.
• Usage: Proof of tax payment to the government.

7. Refund Application and Sanction Order

• Description: Documents related to claims for GST refunds.
• Details: Application for refund (RFD-01) and the corresponding sanction order (RFD-06).
• Usage: Proof of refund claims and receipt.

8. Books of Accounts and Financial Statements

• Description: Detailed records of financial transactions maintained by the business.
• Details: Includes purchase and sales registers, stock register, and other relevant records.
• Usage: Support documents for GST returns and audits.

9. Debit and Credit Notes

• Description: Documents issued to rectify or modify any discrepancies in the invoices.
• Details: Includes the reason for issuance, original invoice reference, and GST details.
• Usage: Proof for adjustments in sales or purchase values.

Maintaining these documents ensures that a business is GST compliant and can substantiate its claims and declarations to the tax authorities.

In India, GST registration is mandatory for certain businesses and individuals based on specific criteria. Here are the categories of persons and entities required to register for GST:

1. Turnover Threshold

• Businesses: Entities with an annual aggregate turnover exceeding ₹40 lakhs (₹20 lakhs for northeastern and special category states) for the supply of goods.
• Service Providers: Entities with an annual aggregate turnover exceeding ₹20 lakhs (₹10 lakhs for northeastern and special category states).

2. Inter-State Supply

• Entities: Businesses involved in the supply of goods or services across state borders, regardless of turnover.

3. E-Commerce Operators

• Entities: Platforms facilitating the supply of goods or services, such as Amazon or Flipkart.

4. Casual Taxable Persons

• Entities: Individuals or businesses occasionally supplying goods or services in a taxable territory where they do not have a fixed place of business.

5. Non-Resident Taxable Persons

• Entities: Individuals or businesses supplying goods or services in India but having no fixed place of business in India.

6. Agents and Input Service Distributors

• Entities: Agents acting on behalf of other taxable persons, and Input Service Distributors distributing credit to their branches.

7. Persons Paying Tax Under Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM)

• Entities: Businesses required to pay tax on certain supplies of goods and services received, rather than on sales.

8. E-Commerce Suppliers

• Entities: Suppliers of goods or services through an e-commerce operator.

9. Persons Required to Deduct Tax at Source (TDS) or Collect Tax at Source (TCS)

• Entities: Government departments, local authorities, and other specified persons required to deduct or collect tax.

10. Voluntary Registration

• Entities: Businesses that do not fall into the mandatory criteria but opt to register voluntarily to avail of input tax credit benefits.

11. Other Specified Persons

• Entities: Persons engaged in activities such as the sale of online information and database access or retrieval services to persons in India from a place outside India.

In India, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) can be paid using various modes, offering flexibility and convenience to taxpayers. Here are the primary modes of payment for GST:

1. Online Payment

• Net Banking: Taxpayers can use the net banking facility of authorized banks to pay GST.
• Credit/Debit Card: Payments can be made using credit or debit cards from authorized banks.
• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Payments can be made using UPI for quick and easy transactions.
• NEFT/RTGS: National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) can be used for GST payments, particularly useful for high-value transactions.

2. Offline Payment

• Over the Counter (OTC): Taxpayers can pay GST in cash, cheque, or demand draft at designated branches of authorized banks. This mode is usually available for payments up to ₹10,000 per challan.