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- August 16, 2025
- 1236
- Business Directory
In short
- Check a supplier's GSTIN before you pay an advance, place an order or claim input tax credit.
- Our free GST number search shows the legal and trade name, status, registration date, address and last return filed — no login or captcha.
- A cancelled or suspended GSTIN, or a supplier who doesn't file GSTR-1, can cost you input tax credit.
- GST 2.0 moved most items to 5% and 18% from 22 September 2025 — check your suppliers' invoices use the right rates.
In this article
A fake, cancelled or mismatched GST number on an invoice can cost your business its input tax credit (ITC), delay payments and bring a notice from the GST department. Checking a GSTIN takes seconds, so it should be routine before any new supplier relationship or large payment.
GetBusiness offers a free GST number lookup tool that checks any 15-digit GSTIN against public GST records. No sign-up, no captcha and no charge.
Why verify GST numbers?
- Protect your input tax credit. You can only claim ITC on a purchase if the supplier has a valid registration, reports the invoice in their GSTR-1 and the credit appears in your GSTR-2B. A supplier who stops filing or whose registration is cancelled can cost you that credit.
- Avoid fake invoices. Fake firms issuing invoices without supplying goods are one of the most common GST frauds. Businesses that claim credit on such invoices can face demands for the tax, interest and penalties.
- Confirm who you're dealing with. The legal name, trade name, state and address should match the invoice, the bank account name and the company you think you're paying.
- Keep your own records clean. Wrong GSTINs on your sales invoices cause mismatches for your customers and extra work for you.
What our GST lookup shows
Enter a GSTIN and you'll see:
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Legal name and trade name | Must match the invoice and the business you're paying |
| GST status — active, cancelled or suspended | Only active registrations support ITC |
| Registration date and state | Very new registrations for large orders deserve extra checks |
| PAN, entity type and taxpayer type | Confirms the business structure; composition dealers can't charge GST |
| Principal place of business | Should match the address on the invoice |
| Last return filed and filing history | Regular GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing is a good sign |
| Jurisdiction and nature of business | Useful for your records and compliance |
No GSTIN? Use GST search by name or PAN to find businesses already verified on GetBusiness.
How to check a GST number — step by step
- Open the GST number search tool.
- Type or paste the 15-character GSTIN. As you type, the tool reads the state, PAN, registration number and check digit, so a typo shows up straight away.
- Click Verify GSTIN.
- Check the name, status and address against your invoice.
- Open View full details & filing history to see GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing by financial year.
Understanding the GSTIN format
Every GSTIN has 15 characters. Taking 27AAPFU0939F1ZV as an example:
| Position | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 27 | State code (27 = Maharashtra, 07 = Delhi, 29 = Karnataka, 33 = Tamil Nadu, 06 = Haryana) |
| 3–12 | AAPFU0939F | PAN of the business |
| 13 | 1 | Registration number for this PAN in the state (1–9, then A–Z) |
| 14 | Z | Fixed as Z for regular registrations |
| 15 | V | Check digit calculated from the other 14 characters |
If the 14th character isn't Z, the PAN part isn't a valid PAN format, or the check digit doesn't match, the GSTIN is wrong. Our tool catches these errors before searching.
GST changes to know in 2026
- GST 2.0 rates: from 22 September 2025, most goods and services moved to two main rates, 5% and 18%, with a 40% rate for a small set of luxury and sin goods. Check that supplier invoices use the correct new rates and HSN codes.
- Invoice Management System (IMS): lets you accept, reject or keep pending the invoices your suppliers report, before they flow into your ITC. Use it to catch wrong or fake invoices.
- E-invoicing: required for businesses with turnover above ₹5 crore. Larger businesses (₹10 crore and above) must report e-invoices within 30 days of the invoice date.
- Time limit on returns: GST returns can no longer be filed more than three years after their due date, so old gaps can't be fixed later.
- Tighter registration checks: many applicants now go through Aadhaar and biometric verification, making fake registrations harder — but not impossible.
For bulk checks, GST health scores, HSN/SAC lookup and a GST calculator, see our GSTVerify.co.in review. If you run a website and want to offer GST search to your own visitors, read about the GSTIN Search Pro WordPress plugin.
Common mistakes when verifying a GSTIN
- Typos: one wrong character makes the number invalid or, worse, points to a different business.
- Checking only once: registrations can be cancelled later. Re-check regular suppliers every few months and before large orders.
- Ignoring name mismatches: if the legal name doesn't match the invoice or bank account, ask why before paying.
- Not checking return filing: an active GSTIN with no recent GSTR-1 filing is a warning sign for your ITC.
Verified GST on GetBusiness
If your business is GST-registered, add your GSTIN to your GetBusiness listing. When it's valid, your listing shows a GST Verified badge — a quick trust signal for buyers comparing suppliers on pages like B2B and industrial supplies or manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GetBusiness GST number checker free?
Yes. It's free, with no sign-up, captcha or usage limit for normal use.
Where does the GST data come from?
From public GST registration records — the same details anyone can see on the GST portal's taxpayer search.
Is it legal to check someone else's GST number?
Yes. GST registration details are public so that buyers can verify suppliers.
What should I do if a GSTIN is invalid or cancelled?
First check for a typo. If the number really is invalid or cancelled, ask the supplier for their correct GSTIN in writing, and don't claim ITC on invoices showing an invalid number. Report suspected fake invoices to the GST department.
How often should I check my suppliers' GST numbers?
Before onboarding a new supplier, before large payments, and every few months for regular suppliers — especially in high-risk trades.
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