It is no secret that the previous tax structure was plagued by a cascading effect of taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT), Service Tax, Entertainment Tax, and many more. This Goods and Services Tax (GST) has managed to solve this problem. The Goods and Service Tax subsumes all these indirect taxes levied at various stages. As a consumer, you will have to pay one tax on the goods or services you are using.

Aside from this, GST has done well to minimize incidents of tax evasion and rampant corruption, something that the old tax system failed to do.

When should you complete your GST Online Registration?

You will have to complete the GST registration process if you find yourself in one of the following situations:

If you are running an e-commerce or online business
If you have a turnover of Rs. 40 Lakh, and a turnover of Rs. 20 Lakh if you are based out of a special category state
If you are a business in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, or Uttarakhand and yield a turnover of Rs. 10 Lakh per year

Once you submit your application for registration, it takes roughly 15 days for processing. During this time, you may track your registration status to find out where you stand and act accordingly.

If you are a business owner in the GST era, make sure you complete your GST registration process and get a Goods and Services Identification Number (GSTIN) as soon as you possibly can.

Check Your GST Registration Status

Considering how important it is that you get your GST registration done, chances are that you’ve probably registered. Here are the steps you need to follow to check your GST status using your Application Reference Number (ARN).

Go to the official GST website and click on the services tab. Then select the registration option.

Once that is done, you will get three options, one of which is track application status. Click on that option.

Then, enter the ARN in the space provided along with the captcha code that is displayed. Your registration will be displayed on the screen after you enter the ARN and the correct captcha code.

What do you mean by Application Reference Number?

Application Reference Number is a unique identification number that is assigned to GST transactions performed on the GST portal online. You get an ARN when you submit your GST application. You can use your ARN to determine your GST status. The ARN has proven to be useful to hordes of taxpayers under the GST. All GST-related news and activities can be found on the GST portal, including registration. Using your ARN for GST related activities is the easiest way to keep yourself up to date.

List of GST Registration Statuses

As a taxpayer, you need to fill in two parts of the GST REG-01 form to apply for GST. Once you finish the registration by submitting the necessary details, you will receive a Temporary Reference Number (TRN).

Use the TRN to fill the second half of the GST application. Once this is done, you will receive a confirmation at the end of the GST registration process along with an ARN. Here are the different registration statuses you can expect, depending on how much of the registration you’ve completed correctly.

Pending For Verification

Pending for verification implies that your GST application was submitted but has not yet been verified.

Validation Against Error

This status implies the Personal Account Number (PAN) details that you’ve submitted do not match the records at the Income Tax Department. Be sure to rectify this as early as you can if you get this status.