Known to be one of the biggest tax reforms of India, GST or Goods and Services Tax was implemented pan India on 1st July 2017.
It is not just India that has got GST integration in its system; a total of 160 countries in the world have this tax in their tax system.
The way a consumer pays this tax on every good that is the food you eat or the products you buy, the people who own a business also have to pay this tax.
GST Registration
Since the implication of this tax reform, all business owners who have a turn over more than Rs. 20 lakhs have to register for GST payment. Apart from this, many other businesses come under the special business category also have to register for GST.
All these taxpayers who have registered for GST have to fill a form GST REG-06 so that they can pay the tax on time. All the registered taxpayers can also download the same certificate from the official GST portal.
Also, keep in mind that there is no physical GST certificate offered by the government of India. So, if you have to pay the tax, you need to get the certificate online.
A Step by Step Process to Download the GST Registration Certificate
- 1First of all, you need to register on the GST portal to make any tax payment. The way you do for any other website, you need to register the same way. Once that is done, you can use the same credentials to login to your profile again and again.
- 2In step 2, you will have to go to the ‘services’ tab and click on it. Then click on the ‘user’s services’ tab. After that, you will see a view/ download the certificate tab. Click on that tab. Once you click on this tab, you will be redirected to your business page.
On this page, you will be able to see all the details related to your business. On the very first page, you will see the basic details such as your name, date of registration, complete permanent address, and so on.
On the next page, you will see ‘Annexure A’ where you will find all the details about your additional businesses.
The next page is ‘Annexure B’, on which you will see all the information related to the owner of the business. So, if you are new on this, then do fill up all these boxes. Once you have submitted all the information, you can pay your GST.
Some Recent Updates on GST Registration
- 1The government of India has decided to increase the taxpaying threshold for MSMEs from Rs. 20 lakhs to Rs. 40 lakhs. So, if you own a business that has a turnover of fewer than Rs. 40 lakhs, then you are exempted from paying GST.
- 2Coming onto the smaller states and hill-stations, the threshold was Rs. 10 lakhs earlier, but now it has increased to Rs. 20 lakhs.
- 3The central government gives the above exemptions, but it completely depends on the state government if and when they would like to implement this new reform. If the state government chooses to remain in the earlier threshold section, they can still function in the same, or else choose the new one.
- 4The government has fixed the GST rates for services that are under the consumption schemes. The fixed GST rate is now 6%.
- 5Due to the natural disaster that hit Kerala, the central government has given a 2 years’s calamity cess and a levy of 1%. These 2 years are given to the state government to bring the working of the state back to the mode they were on.
- 6Keeping in mind the fluctuations of real-estate, there is a committee that has been appointed to set-up the GST rates of this sector. The committee will check and track the records of all the previous years and then set the GST rates for real-estate.
How Can You Get a GST Certificate Online?
If you have already done the registration part, then you already have your credentials. Just follow the above-given procedure and get your certificate. Once you have downloaded the computerised certificate, you are good to go.
This certificate does not need any signatures on it. However, for those who haven’t registered yet, they can simply go to the website of GST and register their business.
Is There Any GST Certificate Course?
Yes, there is a GST certificate course that is provided by many private as well as government institutions all over the country. You can check their names and get the information about the course from there.
However, there is another procedure that you need to follow when and if you wish to become an authorised GST practitioner. But, for doing this, you need to put up an application online on the GST portal.
After doing this, you will have to pass an exam that is conducted by an authority named National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACEN). Once you pass this exam, you will be able to validate your online certificate.
Who Issues the GST Certificate?
The concerning authority that issues the GST certificate is the Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN). GSTN issues these certificates electronically, and you will have to take a print-out after successfully getting one. Also, the information that you need to provide in the FORM of GST REG-06 are:
How Can I Display the GST Certificate?
In accordance with the CGST rules, taxpayers have to follow certain GST certificate rules. But, there is no additional or different GST number display circular that has been released. So, you need to follow the rules that were given earlier.
According to the rules laid by the CGST rule 18(1), the certificate generated by the taxpayer needs to be displayed at a noticeable location, at the head office and other branches. It can be at the reception of the office of the business owner.
In addition to this, the taxpayer has to follow the CGST rule 18(2) under which the person has to display the Goods and Services Tax Identification Number on the name board of the company, that is ideally located at the main entrance. This is done so that the number is visible to everyone.
