GST rollout: Registration window reopens for 3 months, here's how you can do it

Less than five days left for the rollout of new tax regime, Goods and Service Tax (GST) and the government is aiming at its smooth rollout. 

GST Network, the company which is providing information technology systems for GST, has once again opened registration for assessees on Sunday. 

According to the official updates given on www.gst.gov.in, if you are existing Taxpayer under VAT, Service Tax and Central Excise, you can enroll yourself at the GST Portal. Enrolment window will remain open till next three months.

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However, on the first day i.e on Sunday, many traders across the country faced "technical" problems while getting registered on GST portal. 

Cautioning the traders, Navin Kumar, GSTN Chairman said that do not wait for the end moment for registration. He also said that on the last day, the website may face technical errors due to high traffic. 

Every business carrying out a taxable supply of goods or services under GST regime and whose turnover exceeds the threshold limit of Rs. 20 lakh/ 10 Lakh as applicable will be required to register as a normal taxable person. This process is of registration is referred as GST registration.

Reportedly, during the first phase of registration, six million traders came in and then 6,00,000 more came in for the second phase. There was a shortfall of 1.4 million traders as in the existing system there were 8.01 million registrations. 

How to register?

New Business

If you are a new dealer, that is, if you decide to set up your business after GST is implemented, you will have to file an application online for registration under GST. There is a provision for deemed approval within three days of submitting the application. 

A PAN-based registration number, valid under both centre and state jurisdictions, will be allotted to every dealer along with a unique ID GSTIN, as explained by H&R Block.

Existing dealers 

Those who already pay VAT, Central Excise Tax or Service Tax shall be issued a certificate of registration on a provisional basis which shall be valid for a period of six months from the date of its issue. 

The taxpayer so registered shall within the period specified, furnish such information as may be prescribed. On furnishing of such information, the final certificate of registration will be issued by the central/state government, H&R Block said. 

Documents Required and online registration

Any person registering for GST will have to declare his Permanent Account Number (PAN), mobile number, e-mail address and the state or union territory his business is located in the registration form.

• Provisional ID received from State/ Central Authorities
• Password received from the State/ Central Authorities
• Valid Email Address
• Valid Mobile Number
• Bank Account Number
• Bank IFSC

According to a report by PTI on June 12, the traders and businesses can opt for verification of their GST registration through the e-mode, including an OTP on their registered mobile number.

This is in addition to the option of using banking channel or electronic verification code (EVC), for e- verification of the enrolment.

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While the PAN shall be validated by the CBDT, the mobile will be verified through a one-time password (OTP) sent to the mobile number; e-mail address shall be verified through a separate OTP sent to the said mail address.

On successful verification, a temporary reference number will be generated and communicated to the applicant on the said mobile number and e-mail address.

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The GST Registration rules provide that along with the reference number, the applicant will have to electronically submit an application, duly signed or verified through EVC. On receipt of an application, an acknowledgement shall be issued electronically to the applicant.

The GST Council, according to the official, has given given leeway to businesses to opt for OTP for e-verification of the registration application.