Small and medium businesses are always trying to avoid obtaining a GSTIN because they dread the GST compliance-related work and the cost that comes along with it.
However, such SMBs eventually discover that vendors and other sincerely hardworking businesses are reluctant to deal with an unregistered dealer. As a result, these dealers then resort to printing fake GSTINs on their invoices to avoid any hamper on their business prospects.
GST’s most crucial advantage is the input tax credit a business gets that complies with GST-compliant partners and vendors. Thus, you put yourself at significant risk if your suppliers and vendors have a GSTIN number or use a fake one.
Because of this, GSTIN is mentioned on every bill or invoice to let anyone be verified anywhere, making the transactions legal.
Format of GST Number
Familiarizing yourself with the format of a GST number will help you spot any obvious issues with a GSTIN. It is the fastest way to spot a fake or incorrect GST number. All GSTIN numbers are exactly 15 digits long. These 15 digits are a combination of numbers and characters that are arranged in a set format,
- The first two digits are the state code where the business is registered.
- The next ten figures are the PAN number of the company.
- The thirteenth digit is the entity number of the store or company with the same PAN number in a state.
- The fourteenth digit is the alphabet “Z” by default.
- The last digit or the fifteenth digit is a checksum digit code. This code could be an alphabet or a number.
Verifying GST Numbers on the GST Portal
Verifying a GSTIN online is a relatively simple process. By following the below steps, you can check any GST numbers.
- Visit the GST portal- www.gst.gov.in and click on the “Search Taxpayer” option on the menu bar.
- A search box will appear. Enter the GSTIN in the search box.
- If the GSTIN is correct, you will be able to see a business’s details, such as the legal name of the business, UIN status, the date of registration, and the constitution of the business (company/ sole proprietor/ partnership), etc.
- If the GSTIN is fake, you will receive an error message. You must then contact your vendor/supplier to obtain the correct GSTIN.
But apart from the government’s GST portal, other GST tools are also available for GST number search and verification.
Top Tools for GST Search and Verification
If you are a large corporation that works with a long list of vendors, searching and verifying GST number one at a time might become cumbersome.
If you already use or are planning to use accounting or invoicing software, the best option would be the one that offers a GST number search and verification feature.
Here are some GST number verification tools that we have listed to help you ease your business operations.
Small and medium businesses are always trying to avoid obtaining a GSTIN because they dread the GST compliance-related work and the cost that comes along with it.
However, such SMBs eventually discover that vendors and other sincerely hardworking businesses are reluctant to deal with an unregistered dealer. As a result, these dealers then resort to printing fake GSTINs on their invoices to avoid any hamper on their business prospects.
GST’s most crucial advantage is the input tax credit a business gets that complies with GST-compliant partners and vendors. Thus, you put yourself at significant risk if your suppliers and vendors have a GSTIN number or use a fake one.
Because of this, GSTIN is mentioned on every bill or invoice to let anyone be verified anywhere, making the transactions legal.
TOP GST Number Search & Verification Tools
#1 MasterGST Tool
A fuss-free online GST tool, MasterGST‘s GST number verification tool, requires you to enter the GTSTIN number that you wish to verify in a search tab. It fetches data directly from the GSTN servers. It can instantly display complete details regarding the GSTIN number, such as the business’s legal name, state jurisdiction, the nature of business activities, etc.
Key Features
- Add/import multiple GST numbers
- Validate GST numbers with one click
- View up to 17 business details through a single GSTIN
- Tax liability register
- Monthly GST reports
Pricing
MasterGST’s verification tool is free to use.
#2 ClearTax
All you need is the GSTIN number that you wish to verify to use ClearTax’s GST Number Search Tool, free of cost. A simple, single-click GSTIN search and verification solution can authenticate GSTIN numbers and help you avoid any GSTIN-related fraud or errors.
Key Features
- GST filing
- Online GST course
- Assistance to find clients
- GST preparation
- Data and imports/ exports
Pricing
Pricing for this software starts from ₹5000.
#3 IndiaFilings
IndiaFilings GST tool offers a free GST search and verification facility if you sign up for its accounting software solution called LEDGERS. It also provides a GST verification tool through APIs. You will need to get in touch with an IndiaFilings Business Advisor for more information about using the GST API services.
Key Features
- Signup account free for GSTIN verification
- Invoicing
- Connected banking
- GST eWay Bill
Pricing
It has 3 plans for its software: a basic plan in ₹4900, a standard plan at ₹9900, and a premium plan at ₹15,900.
#4 SahiGST
SahiGST’s online GSTIN verification tool allows you to get details of any registered GSTIN. The best part is that while you can use this GST number search tool to authenticate details of a single GSTIN, you also have the option of uploading a file to search up to 50 GSTINs with a single click in seconds.
Key Features
- Document Validation
- Reconciliation
- Easy-to-Use Interface
- Proactive Email Notifications
- Easily scalable
- Integrated Solution
- Data Security
Pricing
It has a basic plan that starts at ₹5000 with limited features. Its premium plan for businesses starts at ₹15,000, and a TRP plan for accountants with a price tag of ₹12,000.
#5 KnowYourGST
KnowYourGST offers two types of GST verification tools- a GSTIN verification API and a bulk GSTIN search tool. The API makes it easy to retrieve details of any GST number and comes with a trial period and 50 API calls. The GSTIN bulk verification tool is ideal for medium and large companies that register vendors in bulk. The free version lets you verify 5 GST numbers at a time. However, there are premium versions available if you need to check more than 5 GTINs.
Key Features
- Free GST tool to search GST number by company name
- GST number search by PAN is also available
- Search multiple GSTINs via API
- Easy integration of GST number search in your existing software
Pricing
The GSTIN API plan starts at ₹2500 with no hidden charges. It also has a free trial period before it debits the payment from your account.
#6 LegalRaasta
LegalRaasta helps you safeguard yourself against malicious business practices about taxation with an online GST number search tool. If the GSTIN number that you enter is correct and matches the records of businesses under GST registration, you will find various details related to the GSTIN before you, such as the legal name of the company, the constitution of the business, and other such detailed information.
Key Features
- Multi-user and type in unlimited companies
- Reconciliation
- Excel/ERP import
- File unlimited returns
- Import tally data
- Manage ledgers
- GSTIN validator
Pricing
GST tool for verification pricing is mostly based on how you like the demo of the software but it generally starts at ₹5000.
#7 TaxAdda
TaxAdda offers a GSTIN validator that, first and foremost, allows you to check whether the structure of the GSTIN is correct or not. Since the proper formation of the GSTIN does not necessarily validate its existence, it allows you to check further whether the GSTIN exists or not by using its Search GSTIN tool.
Key Features
- Save time from manual filing of GST R3B/GSTR1
- Excel/import multiple GST numbers
- Ultimate GST Return Status Checker
- File easy GST returns
Pricing
TaxAdda has all its GST tools free on its website for use.
#8 GSTSoftware
GST software is an online bulk GST number search tool that allows you to search and verify up to 25 GSTIN. You can enter up to 25 GSTINs separated by a comma, space gap, or a semicolon into a search bar and verify their authenticity free of cost.
Key Features
- GST invoicing
- GST compliance and accounting
- GST reporting
- Accounting connectors
Pricing
GST software has different pricing plans for SMEs and CAs.
SMEs, have two plans based on what features you can use in ₹8100, and ₹5400 price models. Both have a different day-trial period as well.
CA, only have one pricing model that lets you access most of the features at ₹8100 which is different from SMEs’ feature access at the same price.
#9 GSTZen
GSTZen offers an online GST search tool to verify the details of a GST taxpayer. No-frills and free of cost, it is a simple and effective GST tool when you want to run a quick GSTIN search and verification. All you need to do is enter the GSTIN in a search tab, and the rest will follow.
Key Features
- E-invoicing
- GST and E-Way bill reports
- Auto reconciliation
- Tally Integration
- GST returns
- Access to GSTZen chrome extension
Pricing
For CAs, they have a pay-as-you-go plan but for individuals and businesses, two pricing plans let you access different sets of features. There is a basic plan at ₹6500 and a premium plan at ₹8000. It also offers a free trial on some features.
#10 Taxner
Taxner offers many state-of-the-art tools for accounting and related activities, including a GSTIN search and verification tool. It’s an online tool, where you need to enter the GSTIN/UIN to obtain detailed information about the taxpayer swiftly.
Key Features
- Accounting
- GST billing and invoice
- Taxation management
- Online banking integration
Pricing
Taxner offers an annual subscription based on your custom requirements.
#11 GSTServer.com
GSTServer.Com offers a GST number search tool that allows you to search GST numbers by name or PAN. It also provides a free online GST number verification tool that can help you verify up to 50 GST numbers at a time.
Key Features
- Search GST number by name
- Search GST number by PAN
- Distance finder between Pincodes
- GST number validator
Pricing
All the tools on this website are absolutely free to use.
#12 Masters India
Masters India has software by the name autoTax GST software that is a GSTIN search and verification tool that is straightforward and easy to use. You need to enter the GSTIN number in their search tab and find all the details of that taxpayer within seconds. It also has a GST verification API that can integrate with your existing software to validate GST taxpayer details.
Key Features
- ISO audited infrastructure and code along with the option of encrypted API communication
- Reports and analytics for better visibility of taxpayer details
- Designed to scale with the client’s requirements
- View and track returns within minutes
Pricing
Pricing is customized depending on your requirements. You need to fill out their contact form for pricing details.
#13 Tax Raahi
TaxRaahi has GST software where you can do not only GST number verification but also GST filing, tax payment, input tax credit, and many more! Compared to the government GST portal, TaxRaahi is user-friendly and easy to operate.
Key Features
- GST registration
- Built-in invoicing with automated accounting
- Tax payment
- GST calculation
- GSTR 1 to 7 filing
- Import data from Tally
- One view dashboard for accountants
Pricing
TaxRaahi’s GST software has a pricing plan of ₹5000/year which has add-ons plans to use other features. It offers a free trial upon signup before you purchase the software.
#14 Quicko
Quicko supplies GST APIs for startups, growing businesses, neo-banks, and even e-commerce platforms through which you can search GST number by name and get the details within seconds. You will have to mention a GSTIN and put on a CAPTCHA code as displayed to access all the details of the taxpayer.
Key Features
- Billing & invoicing
- Tax reforms
- Tax filing
- Due-date tracking
- Create GST-ready invoices
- GST API integration
Pricing
Quicko has four pricing plans: Startup plan (₹2000/month), Growth plan (₹10,000/month), Unicorn plan (₹25,000/month), and Enterprise plan for which you need to contact for personalized pricing details.
#15 Sleek Bill
Sleek Bill‘s GST software helps you verify GST numbers, and GST tax invoices, displays the latest GST tax rates, and much more. You can issue GST credit notes against any invoice without facing any complications. They also supply you with GST templates for error-free billing that are easy to reconcile.
Key Features
- Ready to use GST invoice templates
- Control your financial data
- Keep track of payments with specialized reports
- Easily apply for CGST, SGST, and iGST for every invoice
- Cloud-based data storage for each access on any device
Pricing
Sleek Bill has two plans out of which is a basic one and free to use with standard features. The other plan is a premium business plan which lets you access all features for ₹2000/year.
#16 QuickBooks
Quickbooks‘ GST software is for everyone, from bookkeepers to CAs and small business owners. It makes your billing effortless and enables you to become more GST compliant by putting your tax and accounting data at your fingertips.
Key Features
- HSN & SAC codes lookup
- Integration with all popular apps
- Auto-find tax rates and calculate taxes
- Input GST tax credits
- Customized reporting
- Import/export data with a click
- Create customized GST invoices
Pricing
Quickbooks pricing varies depending upon the latest offers and discounts it offers. Currently, it has two pricing plans: for small businesses (₹400/month) and for accountants (₹223/month per license).
Important Note
Generally, vendors or business people who are doing business without a GSTIN or are charging you GST without a valid GSTIN have many excuses ready for you. The most popular reason has been that they have applied for a GSTIN, but it has not been approved.
However, you must know that whenever anyone applies for a GSTIN, they get a provisional GSTIN that they need to use until a permanent one is allotted.
Just like the way we apply for a driving license, and we are awarded a temporary driving license, which can be verified, right? Similarly, a provisional GSTIN can also be checked using any of the GST tools mentioned above.
The GST department has dedicated helplines for you to ask any queries regarding GST. You can also use these helplines to report fraudulent GST practices. You can also lodge these complaints via email. Here are the details:
GST Helpline Number: 011-23370115/ 0124-4688999/ 0120-4888999
GST Complaint Email ID: Raise a ticket on https://selfservice.gstsystem.in/ or write to helpdesk@gst.gov.in
Ending Note
With the help of these GST number verifications tools, you can now easily find out which of your dealers, vendors, suppliers, or partners are GST-compliant. These GST tools for verifications will help you become more efficient with your procedures and also help you claim your input tax credit without any trouble.
Did you know about these tools? Which ones have you been working with from these tools? Let us know your reviews for the same in the comment section below.
Nilam Oswal is a Content Marketing Head and Brand Strategiest at SoftwareSuggest. When she’s not hard at work, she can be found wandering, reading, and just generally having a good time in life.
