Who needs a GSTIN in India, how to register with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), what the number looks like, how to find or check one, and where it goes on your invoices.
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Updated for 2026
Last reviewed September 2026
What the GSTIN is
The GSTIN is the number Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) assigns to a taxpayer in India. It follows you across every tax you deal with: GST, income tax and withholding. Businesses that pay you will ask for it before they release payment, because they report their suppliers to Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) by this number.
PAN: 10 characters (ABCDE1234F). GSTIN: 15 characters, state code + PAN + entity code + checksum.
Who needs one
Everyone with taxable income needs a PAN. Businesses need a GSTIN once turnover crosses the threshold, or immediately if they sell across state lines or through online marketplaces.
How to register, step by step
Get a PAN first (instant e-PAN with Aadhaar on the Income Tax portal).
On gst.gov.in choose New Registration, enter PAN, mobile and email, and verify the OTPs to get a temporary reference number.
Upload proof of business address, bank details, photographs and authorisation, and complete Aadhaar authentication.
The GSTIN and registration certificate (REG-06) arrive within about 7 working days if no query is raised. Registration is free.
How to find or check a GSTIN
Search Taxpayer on gst.gov.in shows the legal name and status for any GSTIN free of charge.
Where it goes on your paperwork
In the invoice header next to your business name, and in the client block when the client is a registered business. Quotations and purchase orders carry it too, so the client's accounts team can match documents. The India invoice generator has a GSTIN field in both blocks.
Questions people ask
Does it cost anything to get a GSTIN?
Registration with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is normally free. Agents charge for filling in the same form; pay one only if you want the time saved.
Can I invoice without a GSTIN?
You can write the document, but many clients will not pay an invoice that has no GSTIN, and you cannot charge GST without being registered. Register first; it is usually quick.
Is the GSTIN the same as GST registration?
Not necessarily. The GSTIN identifies you as a taxpayer; GST registration is a separate status you take on when turnover passes the threshold or you opt in. Some countries use one number for both, others issue a separate GST number.
How long does registration take?
Online registrations are often instant or take a few days; applications that need a visit or document checks take longer. Start before you need to send your first invoice.
Written from published tax-authority guidance and reviewed on 2026-09-03. Everything here is indicative rather than a ruling on your circumstances, and rules change. Confirm anything you rely on with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) before acting on it, and tell us if you find something out of date so we can correct it.
This guide explains the rules in general terms and is not tax advice for your circumstances. Confirm your position with a qualified adviser or with Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
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Tools for India
Invoices, quotations, purchase orders, credit notes and waybills in INR, with GST and the GSTIN on the document. Plus a GST calculator and a salary tax calculator. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.