GST Registration Cancellation: How to Surrender your GSTIN?

How to cancel GST registration?

Cancellation of registration under GST Why & How?

How can I file for the cancellation of GST registration?

How to Surrender your GSTIN

How to cancel GST registration?

GST registration can be canceled by the registered person or by the GST officer, or by the registered person’s legal heirs in case of death of the person under GST. GST registration cancellation means that the person will not be registered under GST anymore, and he will not have to pay or collect GST.

GST registration can be canceled by a GST officer or voluntarily by the person registered under GST. The taxpayer will not pay GST anymore if he cancels the GST registration.

If an individual is still carrying out business after surrendering the GST registration, it will be an offense under GST, and heavy penalties are applicable. There will be no requirement to furnish any GST return.

Who can cancel the GST registration?

A GST registration can be canceled by an officer, if:

• The registered person under GST does not conduct any business from the declared place of business or
• Issues invoice or bill without supply of goods or services violating the GST ACT or GST rules.
• If the person having GST registration has not filed GST returns for 6 months

Before the cancellation of registration, the Officer would issue a notice to the taxpayer whose GST registration is liable to be canceled, requiring show cause within 7 working days from the date of service of such notice.

The registered person can reply to the show cause notice within the prescribed time, or the GST registration can stand canceled.

Voluntary cancellation by the registered person

GST registration cancellation can be initiated by the person registered under GST under Section 29 of the CGST Act under the following circumstances:

• Discontinuance or closure of a business
• Transfer of business, amalgamation, merger, de-merger, lease, or other pertinent reasons.
• Change in the constitution of business, which results in a change of PAN.
• Turnover reduces below the threshold limit of GST registration.
• Death of the sole proprietor
• Any other reason, the likes of which must be proved in the application.

Forms to be filed before GST registration cancellation

The taxpayer for canceling GST registration must apply through FORM GST REG 16. The legal heirs of the deceased taxpayers will also follow the same procedure as follows:

Application for cancellation should be made in FORM GST REG 16.

The following details must be included in FORM GST REG 16

How to apply for GST cancellation?

Before applying for GST registration cancellation, the taxpayer is required to file all the GST returns. If non-compliance concerning GSTR-3B return or GSTR-1 or GST annual return, the overdue must be filed before initiating the GST cancellation process.

The application for GST cancellation should be made in Form GST REG-16 on the common GST portal. In the GST cancellation application, the following information must be provided.

• Contact address, which includes the mobile number and e-mail address. Reason for cancellation.
• The desired date of cancellation.
• Particulars of the value and the tax payable on the stock of inputs, the inputs available in semi-finished goods, inputs available in finished goods, the stock of capital goods/plant and machinery.
• Particulars of registration of the entity wherein the existing unit has been merged, amalgamated, or transferred.
• Particulars of the latest GST return filed by the taxpayer along with the ARN of the particular return.

Final GST payment

Before applying for GST cancellation, the applicant must pay all the overdue GST liability. In addition to this, the input tax contained in the stock of inputs, semi-finished goods, finished goods, and capital goods or the output tax liability of such goods, whichever is higher, must be remitted by the taxpayer.

The input tax credit on the existing stock must be paid back, as the taxpayer will not be eligible to claim ITC on cancellation of GST registration.

The final GST payment can be made through GST electronic credit or cash ledger. The final payment can also be made during the submission of the filing of the final GSTR-10 return.

Grounds of non-acceptance of cancellation application

Why does the GST registration cancellation application get rejected?

After submitting the GST cancellation application, the application can be approved, and the registration would stand canceled on the date mentioned in the order.

In some instances, the concerned Officer may decide to reject the application if :

• The submitted application is incomplete.
• In the transfer, merger, or amalgamation of business, the new entity has not registered with the tax authority before applying.
• In such circumstances, the concerned Officer provides an intimation in writing to the applicant regarding the discrepancy’s nature.
• The applicant is required to respond to the same within seven days of the date of receipt of the letter. If the applicant fails to do the same, he may reject the application after providing him/her with an opportunity to be heard.