Verify a supplier on gst.gov.in using Search Taxpayer by GSTIN/UIN or other available search fields. Match legal name, trade name, status, registration date, constitution, principal place, taxpayer type and return filing data to the invoice and counterparty. An active GSTIN is only a first check; it does not by itself guarantee invoice authenticity or ITC.
Current law first, source draft second
This page preserves the useful intent of the supplied draft but corrects duplicated text, outdated dates, unsupported statistics and overbroad legal statements. Rates and portal procedures can change; verify the live notification and facts before filing or pricing.
Effective-date control: A rate, waiver or procedure described for an earlier period must not be applied to a 2026 transaction merely because it still appears in an older article or search result.
Search workflow
Open gst.gov.in, select Search Taxpayer, choose GSTIN/UIN, enter the exact 15-character number and captcha, then review the public profile. Search-by-PAN or name availability and displayed fields can change; rely on the live official interface.
What to match
Check legal and trade name, state code, principal place, constitution, registration status and date, taxpayer type, jurisdiction, cancellation date if any and filing table. Match the data to the contract, invoice, bank beneficiary and physical delivery details.
Return filing check
The portal may show filing frequency and filed dates. Repeated non-filing, cancellation, suspiciously recent registration or mismatch with invoice period are risk signals, not automatic proof of fraud.
ITC verification
For credit, satisfy section 16 conditions: possession of a valid document, receipt, communicated invoice details, tax actually paid as required, return filing and payment to supplier within the prescribed period. Reconcile GSTR-2B and resolve differences.
Common errors
Do not confuse letter O with zero, accept a state code inconsistent with the place of business, rely only on trade name, transact with a cancelled GSTIN for a later period, or assume a valid checksum proves the invoice was issued by that taxpayer.
Vendor onboarding controls
Collect GST certificate and PAN evidence, independently verify bank account, use maker-checker approval, test email and phone domains, inspect address for high-risk vendors, set filing-monitor alerts and preserve dated verification evidence.
Get the GST position checked before acting
Map the transaction, effective date, registration, classification, valuation, input credit and return treatment to the current law and documents.
Request a GST compliance reviewFrequently asked questions
Can I search a GST dealer for free?
Yes. The official GST portal provides public taxpayer search.
Does an active GSTIN guarantee ITC?
No. Every section 16 condition and the actual supply must be verified.
Can I verify by business name?
Use the live search options available on the official portal, but GSTIN-based verification is more precise.
What if the GSTIN is cancelled?
Check the effective cancellation date and transaction period; stop and investigate before accepting tax invoices.
What does the first two digits represent?
They are the state or union territory code.
Should the PAN match the GSTIN?
Characters 3–12 of a standard GSTIN are PAN-based and should match the supplier’s PAN.
Is GSTR-2B matching enough?
No. It is an important control but does not replace receipt, invoice validity, business use and the other statutory conditions.
