How to Check a GST Number Is Genuine Before You Pay

To check a GST number, open gst.gov.in, click Search Taxpayer > Search by GSTIN/UIN, type the 15-character GSTIN and the captcha, and click SEARCH. You do not need to log in. Pay only if the status is Active and the name and address match the bill you were given.

Key facts

How a 15-digit GSTIN is built

GST registration is PAN-based and state-specific, so a business gets a separate GSTIN in each state where it registers. CBIC’s registration flyer describes the structure:

The example GSTIN comes from GSTN’s own user manual. Two quick checks follow from this structure. The state code should match the state in the seller’s address. Characters 3 to 12 should match the PAN on any other document the seller gave you.

Search Taxpayer by GSTIN: steps

1. Go to www.gst.gov.in.
2. Click Search Taxpayer on the menu bar, then Search by GSTIN/UIN.
3. In the GSTIN/UIN of the Taxpayer field, enter the full 15-character number.
4. Type the characters shown in the captcha image.
5. Click SEARCH.
6. To see filing history, click SHOW FILING TABLE, select the financial year and click SEARCH.
7. To see whether the business files monthly or quarterly, click Show Return Filing Frequency.

If you are logged in as a registered taxpayer, the same search shows more. GSTN’s manual lists the names of proprietors or directors, annual aggregate turnover, percentage of tax paid in cash, whether Aadhaar is authenticated, and e-way bill history.

Search by PAN

Use this when you have a PAN but not the GSTIN, or want to see every registration a business holds.

1. On gst.gov.in, click Search Taxpayer > Search by PAN.
2. Enter the PAN in the Permanent Account Number (PAN) field.
3. Type the captcha text and click SEARCH.
4. Read the table of results: GSTIN/UIN, GSTIN/UIN Status and State.
5. Click a GSTIN to open its full details, enter the captcha again and click SEARCH.

In the GSTN manual’s example, one PAN had 10 GSTINs, most of them in Chhattisgarh and one in Delhi. Several numbers under one PAN is normal for a business with more than one place of business or type of registration.

Private websites also offer GST number search tools. The official portal remains the record, so confirm anything important there.

Reading the result: status, type, filing history

A suspended registration is a real warning. CBIC’s flyer says a person whose registration is suspended cannot make any taxable supply during the suspension. A long gap in the filing table suggests the tax you pay may never reach the government.

If the result shows a composition taxpayer, expect a bill of supply rather than a tax invoice. CBIC says composition dealers issue a bill of supply in place of a tax invoice.

Red flags on invoices

Rule 46 of the CGST Rules, 2017 lists what a tax invoice must carry. The main fields are the supplier’s name, address and GSTIN, a serial number unique for the financial year, and the date. It must also show the HSN code, description, quantity, taxable value and the tax charged.

Watch for these:

• GST is added to the bill but no GSTIN is printed.
• The search returns no result, or a different business name.
• The state code in the GSTIN does not match the seller’s state.
• The status is Cancelled or Suspended, or the registration started after the invoice date.
• The filing table is empty for recent months.
• The seller has no GSTIN on the name board at the shop. CBIC’s flyer says a registered person must display the GSTIN on the name board at each place of business.

Our GST registration guide explains who must register in the first place, and the GST calculator lets you check whether the tax on a bill adds up.

What to do if a GSTIN is fake

1. Do not pay the GST part of the bill until the seller gives you a number that checks out.
2. Ask the seller for a corrected invoice with a valid GSTIN.
3. Keep copies of the invoice, payment proof and a screenshot of the search result.
4. Call the GST helpdesk on 1800-103-4786, or raise a ticket on the Grievance Redressal Portal at selfservice.gstsystem.in.

If you run a business and have already claimed input tax credit on such a bill, speak to a chartered accountant about fixing your returns.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a GST number is valid?

Enter it at gst.gov.in under Search Taxpayer > Search by GSTIN/UIN. A valid number returns the business details and an Active status.

Do I need to log in to check a GSTIN?

No. Anyone can search without logging in. Logged-in taxpayers see extra details such as aggregate turnover and promoter names.

Can I find a GST number from a PAN?

Yes. Use Search Taxpayer > Search by PAN. The portal lists every GSTIN linked to that PAN, with its status and state.

What does GSTIN stand for?

Goods and Services Tax Identification Number, the 15-character number given to each GST registration.

How can I tell which state a GSTIN belongs to?

The first two digits are the state code. For example, 07 is Delhi.

Can I see whether a seller files GST returns?

Yes. Click SHOW FILING TABLE on the search result and pick the financial year.

Where do I report a fake GST bill?

Call the GST helpdesk on 1800-103-4786 or log a complaint on selfservice.gstsystem.in.

Sources

• Manual: Search Taxpayers using GSTIN/UIN — GSTN (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Search Taxpayer FAQs — GSTN (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Manual: Search Taxpayers using PAN — GSTN (copy hosted by MSME Ki Pathshala) (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Registration under GST Law (flyer) — CBIC / GST Council (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Tax Invoice and other such instruments in GST (flyer) — CBIC / GST Council (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Contact us: helpdesk and grievance portal — GST portal (checked 16 Sep 2026)