What is GST and how do I get my business ready? (India 2025)

What is GST and how do I get my business ready? (India 2025)

Short answer: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is India’s new nationwide indirect tax that replaces up to 17 Central‑ and State‑level taxes. If you supply goods or services above the ₹20 lakh threshold (₹10 lakh in NE/Hill states) or sell interstate, you must register. GST becomes mandatory for all B2B SaaS companies and e‑commerce sellers by 1 November 2025.

Table of Contents

  1. Why introduce GST?
  2. Who must register?
  3. Roll‑out timeline
  4. Prerequisites checklist
  5. Step‑by‑step: register online
  6. After approval: your first 7 days
  7. Troubleshooting & errors
  8. Related resources

1. Why introduce GST?

Goal: Simplify compliance and bring transparency by subsuming taxes such as VAT, Service Tax, Excise, and Entry Tax into a single levy.
Benefit: One registration, one return, real‑time input‑tax credit, lower cascading.

2. Who must register?

Criteria

Must Register?

Notes

Turnover ≥ ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh NE/Hill)

Yes

Aggregate across PAN

Interstate supply (any amount)

Yes

IGST applies

E‑commerce seller

Yes (from Sep 2025)

Drop‑shipping, marketplace

B2B SaaS company

Yes (by 1 Nov 2025)

API & subscription models

Voluntary registration

Optional

Enables ITC claim

3. Roll‑out timeline

Region / Segment

Status

Target Date

Tier‑1 states

✅ Pilot completed

30 Jun 2025

Tier‑2/3 states

🔄 Registration open

Aug–Oct 2025

E‑commerce sellers

🗓 Phased onboarding

From 1 Sep 2025

B2B SaaS companies

🚀 Mandatory

1 Nov 2025

Key date: Nationwide enforcement starts 1 Nov 2025 at 00:00 IST. Penalties apply from this timestamp.

4. Prerequisites checklist

  • PAN linked to Aadhaar
  • Business bank account (IFSC enabled)
  • Digital signature (DSC) for companies / LLPs
  • Latest electricity / property tax bill for principal place of business
  • Accounting software version v12.3+ with GST modules enabled
Tip: Run the eligibility wizard at https://gst.gov/check-eligibility (mobile‑friendly).

5. Step‑by‑step: register online

  1. Create credentials
    Go to https://gst.gov/register and click “New GST Registration”.
  2. Verify contact
    Enter OTP sent to your Aadhaar‑linked mobile and email.
  3. Upload documents
    • PAN (PDF, ≤100 KB)
    • Address proof (JPEG, ≤200 KB)
    • Bank statement (PDF)
  4. Choose return period
    Monthly (turnover >₹5 cr) or quarterly.
  5. e‑Sign & submit
    Sign using Aadhaar e‑Sign or DSC. You’ll receive ARN by SMS.
  1. Track status
    Use the ARN at https://gst.gov/track-arn. Approval SLA: <48 h.

6. After approval: your first 7 days

Day 

Task

D+0

Download GSTIN Certificate (Form REG‑06).

D+1

Update invoice template → add CGST/SGST or IGST fields.

D+2

Invite your accountant to GST portal (User Mgmt > Add CA).

D+3

Test GSTR‑1 JSON upload from accounting software.

D+5

Reconcile opening stock for input‑tax credit via Form TRAN‑1.

Success check: First test invoice posts ITC to your customer’s ledger within 30 minutes.

7. Troubleshooting & errors

Error Code

Meaning

Quick Fix

TIN‑102

PAN‑GSTIN mismatch

Re‑enter PAN; clear browser cache

DSC‑403

Invalid certificate

Install DSC utility v2.1, restart

ARN‑NULL

Submission failed

Check file sizes; resubmit docs

Escalate unresolved issues:
• Call GST Helpdesk
• Email help@gst.gov.in with ARN and error screenshot.

8. Related resources

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