GST Registration
GST registration is the process of obtaining a GSTIN under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, by filing Form REG-01 on the GST portal. It becomes mandatory once your turnover crosses ₹40 lakh for goods (₹20 lakh in special category states) or ₹20 lakh for services (₹10 lakh in special category states) — or immediately, regardless of turnover, if you supply goods inter-state, sell through an e-commerce operator, or operate as a casual taxable person. FirstMan's professional fee starts at ₹2,499.00; the government itself charges no fee for GST registration.
Written by the FirstMan compliance desk. Last updated: September 2026.
GST registration carries no government fee — the ₹2,499.00 figure is FirstMan's professional fee for preparing and filing your application end to end, including REG-03 query handling if one is raised.
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Documents
Documents required for incorporation.
Requirements differ by who is involved in the filing.
Identity and business
Names across PAN, Aadhaar, and the application must match exactly — a mismatch is one of the most common query triggers.
- PAN card of the business/proprietor/partners/directors
- Aadhaar card, for OTP-based authentication
- Passport-size photograph of each proprietor/partner/director
- Certificate of incorporation or partnership deed, for companies/LLPs/firms
Principal place of business
Address proof must clearly establish the premises as your place of business.
- Electricity, water, or property tax receipt (recent)
- Rent/lease agreement, where the premises is rented
- No Objection Certificate from the owner, where applicable
Bank details
The account name must match your PAN/entity name exactly, and the cheque or statement image must be clearly legible.
- Cancelled cheque, or the first page of a bank passbook/statement
How it works
A controlled four-stage process.
Eligibility and scheme check
We confirm whether registration is mandatory for you yet, and whether the composition scheme or regular registration fits your turnover and sales pattern better.
REG-01 preparation and Aadhaar authentication
We prepare your business, promoter, and bank details, map your goods/services to the correct HSN/SAC codes, and coordinate OTP-based Aadhaar authentication for every promoter and signatory.
Filing and query response
REG-01 is filed on the GST portal. If the department raises a REG-03 clarification, we prepare and file the REG-04 response within the 7-working-day window.
GSTIN issuance and onboarding
Once approved, your GSTIN and REG-06 certificate are issued, and we brief you on your confirmed return-filing cadence and due dates.
Step by step
A realistic day-by-day timeline.
| Day | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Documents collected; HSN/SAC codes confirmed; REG-01 drafted |
| Day 1-2 | REG-01 filed; Aadhaar authentication completed by every promoter/signatory |
| Day 3 | Deemed approval if Aadhaar-authenticated and flagged low-risk (Rule 14A) |
| Day 4-7 | Standard-track approval, or a REG-03 query raised and answered via REG-04 |
| Up to Day 30 | If routed to physical verification (failed/skipped Aadhaar authentication), an officer visits the premises before approval |
This timeline assumes complete, correctly formatted documents on Day 1. Name conflicts or incomplete address proof add 3 to 7 days for resubmission.
What you receive
A defined outcome, not just a submission.
A 15-digit GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number)
Registration certificate (Form REG-06)
Aadhaar-authenticated promoter/signatory profile on the GST portal
A confirmed return-filing schedule — monthly, quarterly, or composition
Included in the engagement
- Threshold and mandatory-registration check specific to your business
- REG-01 preparation: business details, principal place of business, bank details, HSN/SAC mapping
- Aadhaar authentication coordination for every promoter and authorised signatory
- REG-03 clarification response, if the department raises one
- WhatsApp progress updates through approval
Best suited for
- Businesses that have crossed, or are about to cross, the ₹40 lakh/₹20 lakh turnover threshold (₹20 lakh/₹10 lakh in special category states)
- Anyone required to register regardless of turnover: inter-state goods suppliers, e-commerce sellers, and casual taxable persons
- Businesses that need input tax credit on purchases, or a GSTIN to bid for B2B and government contracts
Avoid a REG-03 query
Why GST applications get flagged for clarification, and how we prevent it.
Address proof issues
An outdated document, the wrong format, or proof that doesn't clearly establish commercial use of the premises. We format-check and date-check every document before filing.
Bank account proof mismatch
The account name not matching the applicant/entity name, or an unclear cancelled cheque or statement image. We verify this before submission, not after a query.
PAN mismatch
A name or detail on the application not matching PAN records exactly.
DSC issues for companies and LLPs
An expired, improperly installed, or mismatched Class III DSC blocks validation. We check DSC validity against your actual filing date.
Aadhaar authentication failure
A failed or skipped Aadhaar OTP authentication routes the application straight to mandatory physical verification, adding up to 30 working days. We walk every promoter and signatory through this step before submission.
Incorrect HSN/SAC codes
A classification that doesn't match your actual goods or services can trigger a departmental query on its own.
After registration
What compliance follows, and by when.
| Milestone | Due by | Penalty for missing it |
|---|---|---|
| GSTR-1 (outward supplies) | Monthly, or quarterly under QRMP | Late fee ₹50/day (₹20/day for nil returns), capped by turnover slab |
| GSTR-3B (summary return and tax payment) | Monthly, or quarterly under QRMP | Late fee plus 18% p.a. interest on the tax due |
| CMP-08 (composition scheme) | Quarterly, if opted for composition | Late fee applies; repeated default can end composition eligibility |
| GSTR-9 (annual return) | 31 December, mandatory above ₹2 crore turnover | Late fee ₹200/day (₹100 CGST + ₹100 SGST), capped by turnover |
| E-way bill, for applicable consignments | Before goods movement | Goods can be detained in transit without a valid e-way bill |
Filed against your Tamil Nadu GST jurisdiction.
Your application is processed by the state or central GST officer assigned to your principal place of business's ward or circle. For businesses registering in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu, we confirm the correct jurisdiction before filing so the application reaches the right desk the first time, not after a REG-03 query about it.
Scope
What the ₹2,499.00 fee includes and excludes.
GST registration has no government fee, so the scope split below is about what's a one-time filing task versus what becomes an ongoing, separately billed obligation once your GSTIN is live.
Included
- Eligibility and mandatory-registration check
- REG-01 preparation and filing
- Aadhaar authentication coordination for all promoters/signatories
- HSN/SAC classification for your goods/services
- REG-03 clarification response, if raised
- GSTIN and registration certificate (REG-06) handover
- WhatsApp progress updates through approval
Not included, billed separately
- •Monthly/quarterly GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing (a separate recurring engagement)
- •Digital Signature Certificate, for companies/LLPs where required
- •Physical verification visit coordination, if the application is routed to that track
- •Composition-to-regular (or regular-to-composition) scheme switch
- •Amendment or cancellation of an existing GSTIN
Total cost of ownership
What this actually costs in year one.
GST registration itself is free from the government — the cost most businesses underestimate isn't the registration step, it's the recurring return-filing cycle that starts the moment your GSTIN is issued, whether or not you've made a sale yet.
| Cost head | When | Typical range | In ₹2,499.00 fee? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional fee (registration) | At filing | ₹2,499.00 | Yes |
| Government fee | At filing | Nil | No fee exists |
| Digital Signature Certificate (companies/LLPs only) | At filing, if applicable | ₹1,500 – ₹3,000 | No, at cost |
| GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B filing | Monthly or quarterly (QRMP) | ₹500 – ₹2,000 per return | No |
| CMP-08 filing (composition scheme) | Quarterly, if opted | ₹500 – ₹1,500 per quarter | No |
| GSTR-9 annual return | Annual, mandatory above ₹2 crore turnover | ₹3,000 – ₹10,000 | No |
| Late filing fee, if a return is missed | Per return, per day of delay | ₹20 – ₹50/day, capped by turnover slab | No, statutory |
Nil returns still have to be filed every period, even with zero sales — missing that deadline attracts the same late fee as a real return.
Questions
Before you proceed.
Is there really no government fee for GST registration?+
Correct — GST registration carries no government fee. If a quote you've received lists a separate 'government fee' for GST registration alone, ask what it's actually covering.
What's the real penalty if I operate without registering when I'm required to?+
Under Section 122 of the CGST Act, ₹10,000 or 10% of the tax due, whichever is higher, for an unintentional default — up to 100% of the tax due for deliberate evasion, plus 18% p.a. interest on the unpaid tax. Input tax credit for your unregistered period cannot be claimed back once you do register.
Do I have to register even if my turnover is below the threshold?+
Yes, in specific cases, regardless of turnover: inter-state supply of goods, selling through an e-commerce operator, or operating as a casual taxable person. Inter-state service providers get a threshold exemption that inter-state goods sellers don't.
How long does GST registration actually take?+
3 working days if your application is Aadhaar-authenticated and flagged low-risk under Rule 14A's deemed-approval track, 7 working days on the standard track, and up to 30 working days if it's routed to physical verification.
What happens if the department raises a REG-03 query?+
You get 7 working days to respond using Form REG-04. Missing that window leads to automatic rejection under CGST Rule 9, and you'd need to file a fresh application from scratch.
Should I register under the composition scheme instead of regular GST?+
Composition suits small goods businesses (turnover up to ₹1.5 crore, ₹75 lakh in special category states) that don't need input tax credit and don't sell inter-state. Talk to us before choosing — switching schemes later is a formal process, not a checkbox change.
Can I claim input tax credit for purchases made before my GSTIN was issued?+
No. Input tax credit for your unregistered period cannot be claimed retroactively once you register.
What if my Aadhaar authentication fails?+
Your application is routed to mandatory physical verification of the business premises, which can extend approval to up to 30 working days. We prepare you for this possibility before it happens, not after.
Do I need a separate GST registration in every state I operate in?+
Yes. GST registration is state-wise — a separate GSTIN is needed for each state where you have a place of business or cross the applicable threshold.
What's the difference between my PAN and my GSTIN?+
PAN is your permanent income-tax identity. GSTIN is a 15-digit number derived from your PAN plus your state code, issued specifically for GST compliance.
What happens immediately after I get my GSTIN?+
Monthly or quarterly return filing begins right away — GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B, or CMP-08 under composition — regardless of whether you've made any sales yet. Nil returns still have to be filed.
Can I cancel my GST registration if I stop the business?+
Yes, through a separate cancellation application — it doesn't happen automatically just because you stop filing returns, and any unfiled returns before cancellation still attract late fees.
Do I need a commercial address for GST registration?+
Not necessarily — a residential address works in most states with valid ownership or rental proof, though some states expect specific documentation for home-based businesses. We confirm your state's exact requirement before filing.
Is a Digital Signature Certificate compulsory for GST registration?+
Only for companies and LLPs, which must file using a Class III DSC. Proprietorships and most partnerships can complete authentication through Aadhaar e-sign instead.
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