The government has implemented GST as the country’s primary indirect tax. To make the registration procedure easier, a person can apply for GST online and then track the status online. Because everything is now online, it is now simple to follow GST registration status.
The GST portal makes it simple to register a company for GST and track the application’s status online. After a successful submission, an ARN is generated and GST registration normally takes 15 days. Login with your ARN to check the status of your GST registration application.
Meaning and Format of ARN Number
ARN is an abbreviation for Application Reference Number. Once the GST Registration application is finished, an ARN number is generated. The Applicant must enter the ARN number on the internet to verify the ARN status of the GST application till the GST certificate is awarded. Once generated, the ARN can be used to follow the status of GST registration.
It is an alphanumeric code of 15 digits known as an ARN – Application reference number. The ARN format has been mentioned below for reference:
- The codes in the first two places are alphabetical.
- The state code is the next two numbers following the alphabetical codes.
- The month and year are the next four digits following the state code.
- The six digits that follow are created by a machine and are unique to every user.
- Checksum digit is shown in the last line of code and is only one digit.
The format of the ARN Number is typically AA-07-07-16-000000-1.
The code can be decrypted from left to right to reveal specific details:
- AA: Represents alphabets.
- 07: Indicates the state code.
- 07: Represents the month.
- 16: Indicates the year.
- 000000: A system-generated code.
- 1: Checksum digit.
How to Check the Status of an ARN for a GST Application?
The procedure for checking the ARN Status of a GST application is as follows. All of the specific stages are outlined below:
STEP 1: Go to the GST portal’s official website.
Click on Track application status under services on the main menu.
STEP 2: Enter the ARN number and the characters will be displayed as a picture.
After you’ve entered these details, hit the search button.
STEP 3: After pressing the Search Button,
The Applicant can view the GST application’s Status.
The Status will display the ARN number, Form No, Form Description and the Acceptance or Rejection Status of the application.
STEP 4: The ARN can have the following statuses:
- Site Verification Assigned
- Pending for Processing
- Site Verification Completed
- Clarification not filed – Pending order
- Pending for Clarification
- Rejected
- Approved
- Clarification filed – Pending for Order
What can be done if one hasn’t yet received the Application Reference Number?
If the ARN is not received within 15 minutes after submitting the Enrolment Application, one must receive an email with precise instructions for next steps.
ARN Status of GST Application Following Login
To check the ARN Status of GST Application Status after login, follow these steps:
- Log in to the GST portal.
- Go to Services > Track Application Status.
- Select “Registration” from the drop-down menu for the Module option.
- Choose the ARN option or enter the submission date to know the application status.
- Click on the download hyperlink to obtain the acknowledgement.
What Documents are Necessary for GST Registration?
Mandatory documentation required for GST registration includes:
- PAN card issued to your business.
- Incorporation certificate of the business or registration certificate.
- Identity proof of core members of the company, such as Directors or promoters.
- Address proof of core members of the company, such as Directors or promoters.
- Document serving as proof of the business address.
- Bank account details, such as transaction statements or cancelled cheques.
- Aadhaar card, if required.
- Digital signature of the concerned company’s members.
- Letter of authorisation.
Important Points to be noted for GST Registration and ARN Status
Some important points to be kept in mind during GST registration and with respect to ARN that may be confusing to users are:
- ARN is a 15-digit encoded code that is unique.
- This is a code generated by the system that is obtained automatically whenever an applicant applies for GST registration.
- The ARN includes information such as the year, date, state code and so on and it allows the applicant to track the status of the GST registration procedure.
What do the Different Statuses of ARN Signify?
When tracking the ARN status for GST, there can be six different outcomes:
- Form Assigned to GST Officer:
- This status appears when the GST Search is assigned to the GST officer for processing and approval.
- It does not mean that the GST Registration application has been cancelled.
- Pending Clarification:
- This status occurs when the GST officer requests the applicant to submit clarifications on the filed GST Registration application.
- The applicant must provide an explanation promptly on the GST Portal.
- Clarification filed – order pending:
- This status is displayed when the applicant files a clarification against concerns raised by the GST Officer.
- However, the approval order is still pending from the GST officer.
- Clarification not filed – order pending:
- This status appears when the applicant fails to provide an explanation to the GST officer within the specified timeframe.
- The applicant’s GST registration application is likely to be rejected by the GST officer.
- Application Approved:
- If the applicant receives this status after tracking, it means the GST officer has approved the application for GST registration.
- The applicant will receive a GST identification number (GSTIN) and a GST registration certificate.
- Application Rejected:
- This status appears when the GST officer rejects the GST Registration application.
- If the applicant still wants to register under GST, they need to resubmit the GST Registration form.
How Can I Check the Status of My Existing GST Registration?
To check the status or validity of an existing GST registration, follow these steps:
- Visit the GST Portal.
- Click on the “Services” tab and select “User Services”.
- Search for the taxpayer option.
- Enter the GSTIN number and complete the Captcha.
- After clicking the search button, the GST registration status and its current status will be displayed.
What Is A GSTIN Number and What Is Its Format?
GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is a 15-digit unique alpha-numeric code based on the PAN (Permanent Account Number) obtained by companies for a unique business identity with the Government of India.
Also, multiple GSTINs can be obtained by a single person if they have multiple businesses in different states.
Further, obtaining a GSTIN is mandatory if the person crosses the threshold limit for GST registration.
The format of a GSTIN is as follows:
- Example GSTIN: ’33BBBBB0000A1Z5′
- The first 2 digits represent the unique state code based on the Indian census 2011. State codes can be found on the official website.
- The next 10 characters represent the PAN number of the taxpayer.
- The 13th digit represents the registration number of the taxpayer with the same PAN number.
- The 14th digit is ‘Z’ by default and has no specific meaning.
- The 15th digit is a check digit, which can be a number or a letter.
What else should you do once your GST registration is complete?
1. If you are a taxpayer and have obtained an Application Reference Number (ARN), you can get the Provisional Registration Certificate from the GST website’s “Download Certificates” section.
2. If a taxpayer has saved the completed enrolment form but has not yet submitted it via DSC, E-Sign or EVC, the taxpayer must:
- If the data is correctly validated, the taxpayer will receive an ARN at their registered email address.
- If the validation fails (for example, data such as PAN does not match), you should be able to log in to the same site and remedy the mistakes. The specifics of the errors can be found in the registered email.
3. If you are a taxpayer who has only partially completed the enrolment form, you can complete the rest of the form by logging into the site on the above-mentioned date.
4. If you are a first-time GST registration and are not a current taxpayer, on the GST portal, you can apply for a new registration.
Final Thoughts
The GST registration process and tracking of application status have been made convenient with the implementation of online procedures. By following the prescribed steps, individuals can easily check the status of their GST registration. The ARN (Application Reference Number) plays a significant role in tracking the progress of the application and its format provides specific information regarding the state code, PAN number, registration number and checksum digit.
It is important to ensure all mandatory documentation is prepared and submitted correctly for successful GST registration. Once the registration is complete, taxpayers can proceed to obtain the Provisional Registration Certificate and fulfil any additional requirements based on their specific circumstances.
For more information on checking and tracking GST Registration status through online mode, connect with our experts at StartupFino.
