The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a new directive under which the businesses will be able to obtain GST registration within seven working days.
The move comes in response to complaints from businesses about delays and unnecessary documentation demands. The CBIC observed that field officers were often asking for "unwarranted documents" and raising "presumptive queries" that went beyond official requirements. To address this, the board has now issued a revised set of instructions, including an indicative list of documents officers may request, strictly online.
However, applications flagged as risky, will be processed within 30 days following a physical verification of the premises.
“While processing registration application, query should not be raised by the officer seeking original physical copy of these documents,” the CBIC clarified in its latest instruction.
The board pointed out several common issues faced by applicants, such as being asked to explain why a business’s authorised signatory does not reside in the same city where registration is sought, or doubts over whether certain activities can be conducted from a specific location.
In a clear effort to standardise the process, the CBIC outlined acceptable documents for proof of the principal place of business. These include a latest property tax receipt, municipal khata copy, or an electricity bill showing the owner's name. For rented premises, applicants will need to upload a valid rent or lease agreement along with one of the above documents relating to PPOB.
For documents related to the 'constitution of business', the CBIC stated that if the applicant is a partner in the firm, they must upload the partnership deed as proof of the business’s constitution.
Moreover, the board also emphasised that no additional paperwork such as Udhyam certificates, MSME certificates, shop establishment documents, or trade licences should be demanded.
Field officers have been instructed not to raise presumptive queries unrelated to the documents submitted, and to cross-check submitted details using public sources like municipality and land registry websites.
Highlighting the reforms, Rajat Mohan, senior partner at AMRG & associates, said that this instruction eliminates discretionary practices, reduces registration delays, eliminates avoidable rejections, and ensures fair treatment of applicants, particularly for businesses operating from shared or rented premises, startups, and proprietorships.
He added, “By explicitly disallowing officers from demanding documents beyond the prescribed list or raising presumptive and irrelevant queries, the instruction curbs administrative overreach. The inclusion of clear timelines for approval, a structured framework for physical verification, and the acceptance of alternative documents like consent letters and utility bills are among the key reforms that will directly benefit taxpayers.”
The move comes in response to complaints from businesses about delays and unnecessary documentation demands. The CBIC observed that field officers were often asking for "unwarranted documents" and raising "presumptive queries" that went beyond official requirements. To address this, the board has now issued a revised set of instructions, including an indicative list of documents officers may request, strictly online.
However, applications flagged as risky, will be processed within 30 days following a physical verification of the premises.
“While processing registration application, query should not be raised by the officer seeking original physical copy of these documents,” the CBIC clarified in its latest instruction.
The board pointed out several common issues faced by applicants, such as being asked to explain why a business’s authorised signatory does not reside in the same city where registration is sought, or doubts over whether certain activities can be conducted from a specific location.
In a clear effort to standardise the process, the CBIC outlined acceptable documents for proof of the principal place of business. These include a latest property tax receipt, municipal khata copy, or an electricity bill showing the owner's name. For rented premises, applicants will need to upload a valid rent or lease agreement along with one of the above documents relating to PPOB.
For documents related to the 'constitution of business', the CBIC stated that if the applicant is a partner in the firm, they must upload the partnership deed as proof of the business’s constitution.
Moreover, the board also emphasised that no additional paperwork such as Udhyam certificates, MSME certificates, shop establishment documents, or trade licences should be demanded.
Field officers have been instructed not to raise presumptive queries unrelated to the documents submitted, and to cross-check submitted details using public sources like municipality and land registry websites.
Highlighting the reforms, Rajat Mohan, senior partner at AMRG & associates, said that this instruction eliminates discretionary practices, reduces registration delays, eliminates avoidable rejections, and ensures fair treatment of applicants, particularly for businesses operating from shared or rented premises, startups, and proprietorships.
He added, “By explicitly disallowing officers from demanding documents beyond the prescribed list or raising presumptive and irrelevant queries, the instruction curbs administrative overreach. The inclusion of clear timelines for approval, a structured framework for physical verification, and the acceptance of alternative documents like consent letters and utility bills are among the key reforms that will directly benefit taxpayers.”
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