How to check GST registration status?

Amit predicted that the demand for flexible furniture/fittings and home refurbishments would rise during the lockdown. He incorporated a Limited Liability Company (LLP) for this purpose and applied for GST registration. Like Amit, many individuals turned opportunistic and have started their businesses.

Whether you are a small or a medium-sized entrepreneur, procuring Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration is very important. It ensures that large vendors or customers do not reject you for a GST registration number, and your business continues to grow. Also, you can claim a tax credit for GST paid by you on inputs.

Hence, despite lockdown, many new entrepreneurs like Amit have registered under GST or have applied for registration and are awaiting the Goods and Services Taxpayer Identification Number (GSTIN). GSTIN is assigned state-wise and is a PAN-based 15-digit number. You can also check the authenticity of any GSTIN using GST number search tool.

If you have already applied for GST registration, the GSTIN shall be allotted to you within 15 days of submitting the application form. Yet, you can check the status of your application on the GST portal.

Checking GST registration status for first-time applicants

Assuming that you are registering under GST for the first time, you must follow the steps provided below to check your GST registration status:

Once you successfully submit your application for registration on the GST Portal, you will normally be given an Application Reference Number (ARN). However, if you have submitted your application on the MCA Portal (applicable to Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships), you will be given a Service Request Number (SRN). You must keep the ARN or SRN handy while tracking the GST registration status.

Go to the government website – https://www.gst.gov.in. You will land on the GST Home Page. Click the Services > Track Application Status option.

On the Track Application Status page, select the Registration option from the drop-down list. The option of Refunds will not apply for first-time applicants.

You will see that the Registration Module opens and prompts you to enter the ARN or the SRN number. You would have received the ARN or the SRN numbers on your email address when you submitted the registration application. If you have received the ARN, enter the ARN and click on SEARCH.

If you have entered the ARN, the screen displays a detailed report titled “Detailed Status: Show Case History of New Registration Application.” This screen provides information about the stage at which your registration application is pending. There are 7 stages through which your application for GST registration has to pass through.

Each stage completed is highlighted in green on the screen, and other pending stages are highlighted in grey. Listed below are the different status types for Registration Applications:

Pending for Processing – When a new registration application is filed successfully and is pending with Tax Officer for Processing
Site Verification Assigned – When an application for registration is marked for Site visit and verification to the Site Verification Officer
Site Verification Completed – When the site verification report is submitted by Site Verification Officer to the tax officer
Pending for Clarification – When notice for seeking clarification is issued by the tax officer to the applicant
Clarification filed – Pending for order – When clarification is filed successfully by the applicant to the tax officer and its pending order by the officer
Clarification not filed – Pending for order – When clarification is not filed by the applicant within — days and its pending order by the officer
Approved – Application is Approved – When Registration ID and password is emailed to the applicant once new registration application is accepted by Tax Officer
Rejected – When a new registration application is Rejected by Tax Officer

**A green status indicates that you are good to proceed**

Likewise, if you have submitted the registration application on the MCA Portal, you have to track the application status using the SRN. If you have received the SRN, enter the SRN and click on SEARCH.

If you have entered the SRN, the screen displays a detailed report titled “Detailed Status: Show Case History of New Registration Application SRN.” Each stage completed is highlighted in green on the screen. Other stages pending are highlighted in grey. Listed below are the different status types for Registration Applications with SRN:

Pending with MCA – When a new registration application is filed and is pending with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).
COI (Certificate of Incorporation) issued by MCA – TRN (Temporary Ref. No.) Generated – Pending with GST Common Portal – When the GST Portal generates TRN on receiving information from the MCA Portal.
COI issued by MCA – Pending for Processing by GST Common Portal – When the application is successfully submitted on the GST Portal
COI issued by MCA – Approved/rejected by GST Common Portal – When the application is approved/rejected, an intimation is sent to the applicant via SMS & email.

You can click on the ARN hyperlink to view the detailed status of your application or click on CLOSE once you have checked your GST registration status.
If your GST application is approved, you will receive the User-id and password on your email id and mobile number. Use these details to log in to the GST common portal:
*Go to the website https://www.gst.gov.in. The GST Home page is displayed.

*Click the log-in link given in the top right-hand corner of the GST Home page.

Click "log-in" in the top right-hand corner of the home page. — **Click “log-in” in the top right-hand corner of the home page**

Since you are logging in for the first time, there is a separate link provided – “If you are logging in for the first time, click here to log in.” Click on that link, and the new window prompts you to enter your GSTIN and password.
Once you have logged in, you can download your GST Registration Certificate.

Conclusion

Although GSTIN is normally allotted within 15 days, sometimes it is also allotted in 2-3 days or in a week. Hence, it is important to regularly track the GST registration status on the GST common portal. Once GSTIN is allotted, you must quote it on your invoices to your customers and provide it to your vendors to claim the input tax credit.