Expert Guide
A complete walkthrough — Gst Registration
Localised for Teynampet, Chennai — where hotels restaurants and serviced-apartment operators file GST under composite supply rules and seasonal-occupancy cycles.
Reading this guide locally — Across Teynampet, around the Anna Salai (Mount Road) catchment of Teynampet. Practitioners note that Teynampet businesses in the hospitality arm find that GST rate disputes between 5% non-AC and 12% AC service composite-supply versus mixed-supply classification arise repeatedly.
What is GST registration and when is it required
Statutory basis under Section 22
GST registration in India is governed by Sections 22 to 30 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act 2017 read with corresponding State GST legislation. The trigger for compulsory registration under Section 22 is an aggregate annual turnover of ₹40 lakh for exclusive suppliers of goods in Tamil Nadu (per Notification 10/2019-Central Tax) and ₹20 lakh for service or mixed suppliers. Aggregate turnover under Section 2(6) is the sum of all taxable supplies, exempt supplies, exports of goods and services, and inter-State supplies of a person having the same Permanent Account Number, computed on an all-India basis. Once a person crosses this threshold in any financial year, the obligation to register arises within thirty days under Section 25(1). Section 24 of the CGST Act overrides Section 22 entirely for specified categories including inter-State taxable suppliers, casual taxable persons, persons supplying through e-commerce operators, and reverse-charge liable persons — these categories must register regardless of turnover.
Voluntary registration option
A person whose aggregate turnover is below the threshold can still register voluntarily under Section 25(3) of the CGST Act. Once voluntary registration is granted, all provisions of GST law apply to such a person as they would to any registered person — including monthly returns, ITC eligibility for inputs, and the obligation to issue tax invoices. Voluntary registration is commonly chosen by B2B service providers and traders who want to enable ITC pass-through to their corporate clients, by exporters who need to file LUTs and claim refunds, and by startups that want to capture ITC on early-stage procurement before revenue commencement. Once obtained, voluntary registration cannot be casually surrendered — REG-16 cancellation follows the same procedure as any other cancellation under Section 29.
Documents required for GST registration
Proprietorship documents
For a sole proprietorship, the documents required for filing Form REG-01 are: PAN card of the proprietor, Aadhaar card of the proprietor, a recent passport-size photograph, proof of principal place of business (latest electricity bill or property tax receipt for owned premises, or a registered rent agreement with NOC from the owner for rented premises), bank account proof in the proprietor's name (a cancelled cheque, the first page of the passbook with name visible, or a bank statement of the last three months), and Digital Signature Certificate or Electronic Verification Code for verification. Proprietorships are permitted to use EVC (OTP-based) verification, which avoids the cost of obtaining a Class 3 DSC. Trade name (if different from proprietor name) and constitution details are entered in REG-01 Part B.
Private Limited and LLP documents
For a private limited company or LLP, the documentation expands considerably: company or LLP PAN, certificate of incorporation, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association (for companies) or LLP Agreement (for LLPs), board resolution or LLP partner resolution authorising the signatory, PAN and Aadhaar of all directors or designated partners, passport-size photographs of all directors or designated partners, registered office address proof (electricity bill or rent agreement with NOC and latest utility bill), and DSC of the authorised signatory — for companies and LLPs, DSC is mandatory and EVC is not permitted as a substitute. Companies should ensure that the registered office address declared with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs matches the address in REG-01; any inconsistency triggers Rule 9 deficiency notices.
Partnership and HUF documents
Partnership firms file REG-01 under the firm's PAN with the partnership deed as the constitution proof. All partners' PAN, Aadhaar and photographs are required, along with an authorisation letter or resolution designating one partner as the authorised signatory. Registered office address proof and DSC or EVC of the signatory partner complete the file. For a HUF, the Karta files REG-01 under the HUF's PAN, supported by HUF deed, Karta's PAN and Aadhaar, photograph of the Karta, address proof of the HUF business location, and bank-account proof in the HUF's name. Both partnership and HUF can use EVC verification; DSC is optional but commonly used.
The REG-01 application process step by step
Part A — PAN mobile email
Form GST REG-01 has two parts. Part A captures the applicant's PAN, mobile number and email address. On submission, the GST portal validates the PAN against the Income Tax Department database, sends an OTP to the mobile number and email, and on successful validation generates a Temporary Reference Number (TRN). The TRN is valid for fifteen days and is the credential to log back in and complete Part B. If Part A is not completed within fifteen days, the application lapses and Part A has to be re-filed. Mobile number and email must be unique to the applicant — they cannot be the same as those used in an earlier active TRN.
Part B — business details
Part B of REG-01 is filed after logging in with the TRN. It captures business details (trade name, constitution, nature of business activities), promoters / partners / directors (with PAN, Aadhaar, residential address, and photographs), authorised signatory designation, principal place of business (with address proof and ownership / occupancy basis), additional places of business (each with its own address proof), goods and services with HSN / SAC codes (up to five primary), bank account details (with proof), state-specific information, and a verification declaration. Part B is divided into multiple sections that can be saved progressively before final submission.
Aadhaar authentication or physical verification
After Part B is submitted, the applicant is given the option to opt for Aadhaar authentication under Rule 8(4A). If Aadhaar authentication is chosen, the promoter or authorised signatory receives an Aadhaar OTP for instant identity validation; this is the faster path and the application typically clears in 7 working days. If Aadhaar authentication is not opted for, or if authentication fails, the application moves to physical verification under Rule 25 where the proper officer visits the principal place of business, examines the operations, and uploads Form REG-30 within 15 working days. Physical verification adds time and the risk of adverse observations on premises-non-genuineness.
Registration certificate REG-06 and post-grant steps
Effective date of registration
Form REG-06 — the certificate of registration — is issued after the application is approved. The certificate carries the 15-digit GSTIN, the legal name and trade name, the constitution, the principal place of business and additional places, the date of registration, and the date of validity (for casual or non-resident taxable persons). The effective date of registration is the date from which the registered person is liable to charge GST on supplies and entitled to claim ITC on inputs. For first-time threshold-crossers, the effective date is generally the date the application was filed (if filed within 30 days of liability) or the date of liability itself in delayed cases. For voluntary registration, it is the date of grant.
Bank account particulars post-registration
Rule 10A of the CGST Rules mandates that within forty-five days of grant of registration, or before the first GSTR-3B is filed (whichever is earlier), the registered person must furnish bank account details through an amendment of REG-01. The bank account must be in the name of the registered taxable person and must be linked to the PAN. Failure to furnish bank-account particulars within the timeline triggers Rule 21A suspension of the GSTIN — the suspended taxpayer cannot issue tax invoices or pass on ITC during the suspension. Compliance with Rule 10A is therefore one of the first post-registration housekeeping items.
First GSTR-3B filing
The first GSTR-3B return after registration is due on the 20th, 22nd or 24th of the month following the month of registration grant — the date depending on the State and the QRMP-opt-in status. The first return covers the period from the effective date of registration to the end of the registration month. Output tax on supplies made from the effective date, ITC on inputs received from the effective date, and net tax payable are declared. Section 47 late fee plus Section 50 interest at 18% per annum apply if the first return is delayed. A clean first GSTR-3B sets the tone for the compliance record and reduces scrutiny exposure.
What Teynampet clients usually ask next: Closer to Teynampet, where hotels restaurants and serviced-apartment operators file GST under composite supply rules and seasonal-occupancy cycles, which is why for Teynampet businesses balancing growth ambitions with tight statutory compliance.