GST registration for startups

Register before revenue?

Many startups register voluntarily before they earn much, for three reasons:

The cost is regular return filing from the first period, including nil returns, with late fees if filings slip. If you register, make one person responsible for monthly compliance.

• Corporate and institutional customers often require a GSTIN before they onboard a vendor.
• GST on laptops, cloud hosting, office rent and professional fees becomes ITC that can be used later or refunded on exports.
• Marketplaces and payment partners may ask for a GSTIN at onboarding.

Multiple states and offices

Aggregate turnover is counted for the whole PAN across India. A startup incorporated in Bengaluru with an office in Pune needs a GSTIN in each state where it has a place of business making supplies, and charges between those registrations, such as cross-charging shared staff costs, are supplies between distinct persons. Where common services such as software subscriptions are billed to one office but used by others in other states, Input Service Distributor registration has been mandatory since 1 April 2025.

SaaS, apps and overseas customers

A startup selling software or services to overseas customers can treat those sales as exports of services if every export condition is met, including payment in convertible foreign exchange, and invoice them without IGST under an LUT. Domestic customers, business or consumer, are charged GST once you are registered. Services bought from foreign providers, such as cloud hosting or tools billed from abroad, attract GST under reverse charge in your hands once registered, which you can usually claim back as credit.

Documents for a company or LLP

Keep the certificate of incorporation, company PAN, MOA and AOA or the LLP agreement, PAN, Aadhaar and photographs of directors or partners, a board resolution or authorisation for the signatory, office address proof and bank proof. A co-working agreement with the provider's consent letter and a utility bill is commonly used as address proof. Add bank details within 30 days of approval or before the first GSTR-1. A professional can register the startup, choose the right states and keep compliance clean ahead of due diligence at funding time.

Get it handled for you

Need GST registration done right the first time? Our chartered accountants prepare the documents, file the application and handle any query, so you do not have to visit the GST office. Call or WhatsApp +91 63677 44602, or use the form below.

This guide explains the law in general terms as of October 2026. Time limits and requirements can depend on the facts of your case and on the notice you received.