Many small business owners in Kolkata ask us the same question: "Do I really need GST?" The answer depends on your turnover and on how and where you sell.
When GST registration is required
You must register for GST if any of these apply to you:
- Turnover above the limit. For businesses in West Bengal the limit is currently ₹40 lakh a year for those who only sell goods and ₹20 lakh a year for services. Your turnover across all your branches in India is added together.
- You sell to other states. Selling goods from Kolkata to a buyer in another state usually needs registration from day one, whatever your turnover.
- You sell through e-commerce sites such as Amazon or Flipkart. Small sellers who sell only within West Bengal can be exempt under certain conditions, so check before you start.
- You are a casual or non-resident taxable person, or you must deduct or collect tax under GST.
Even if registration is not compulsory, many businesses register voluntarily, because large customers often only buy from GST-registered suppliers and you can claim input tax credit on your purchases.
Documents to keep ready
For a proprietor:
- PAN and Aadhaar of the owner
- Passport-size photo
- Proof of business address: electricity bill, plus rent agreement or the owner's consent letter (NOC) if the place is not yours
- Bank account details: a cancelled cheque or the first page of the passbook
- Mobile number and email linked to Aadhaar (for OTP verification)
For a partnership firm or company, also:
- Partnership deed, or certificate of incorporation
- PAN of the firm or company
- PAN, Aadhaar and photos of the partners or directors
- Authorisation letter or board resolution for the person who signs
How long it takes
If your documents are in order and Aadhaar authentication is done, registration is usually approved in 7 to 10 working days. If the department asks a question or wants a physical verification, it can take longer, so answer quickly.
Common mistakes we see
- The business address on the electricity bill does not match the application.
- The wrong category of goods or services (HSN or SAC code) is chosen.
- Registering under the composition scheme without checking whether it suits your business.
- Forgetting that once you are registered, returns must be filed every month or quarter, even when there are no sales.
How we can help
We handle GST registration from start to finish: we check whether you need it, prepare the application, answer the department's questions and set up your monthly filing. Talk to us or send us a WhatsApp message.