GST Registration: What You Need to Know Before Filing in India

When you start a business in India, GST registration, the official process of enrolling your business under the Goods and Services Tax system. Also known as GST enrollment, it’s not optional if your annual turnover crosses ₹20 lakh (₹10 lakh in special category states). Without it, you can’t legally sell goods or services, issue tax invoices, or claim any input tax credit. This isn’t just paperwork — it’s the gateway to running a compliant business in today’s economy.

Once you’re registered, you’re tied into a larger system that includes GST return filing, the monthly or quarterly submission of sales, purchases, and tax paid. You can’t claim a GST refund, the money the government owes you when you’ve paid more tax than you collected unless you’ve filed your returns on time. And if you’re buying supplies for your business, your ability to use input tax credit, the tax you paid on purchases that you can subtract from the tax you collect from customers depends entirely on whether your suppliers are registered and your invoices match the GSTN records. Miss one step, and your refund gets stuck. File wrong, and you risk penalties.

The rules change often — especially in 2025 — with new forms, stricter matching, and faster e-invoicing. But the core idea stays the same: GST registration isn’t a one-time task. It’s the foundation for everything that follows: claiming credits, avoiding audits, and keeping your cash flow healthy. If you’re running a small shop, an online store, or a service-based startup, you’re already part of this system. The question isn’t whether you need it — it’s whether you’re doing it right.

Below, you’ll find real guides from businesses that have been through it — from how to file your first GST return without getting lost in the portal, to fixing common errors that delay refunds, to understanding what you can and can’t claim. No theory. No fluff. Just what works for Indian businesses today.