Have you ever dealt with a vendor and wondered if their GST registration was actually valid? Or maybe you’re just trying to find the GST number of a business, but all you have is their PAN card details. You aren’t alone. In the world of business compliance, knowing who you are dealing with is half the battle.

The good news is that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal has made transparency much easier. Performing a GST search by PAN is one of the quickest ways to get the lowdown on any registered business in India. Whether you are filing your own taxes or just doing due diligence on a new supplier, this simple check can save you from mismatched invoices and input tax credit (ITC) headaches later on.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to do it, why it matters, and what to look out for—no complicated jargon, just the facts.

Why Should You Search GST by PAN?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” You might think, “I have their GSTIN on the invoice, why do I need to search?”

The reality is that businesses change. Registrations get cancelled, suspended, or sometimes, people just make typos on invoices.

• Verify Authenticity: Ensure the business is legally registered.
• Check Status: Is their registration active or suspended? An inactive supplier means you can’t claim Input Tax Credit.
• Find Forgotten Numbers: If you have a client’s PAN but lost their GST details, this is the reverse-lookup tool you need.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform a GST Search by PAN

The process is incredibly straightforward. You don’t need a login or a password to access this public search feature.

Step 1: Visit the Official GST Portal

Go to the official website (gst.gov.in). Avoid third-party apps for this specific task if you want the most real-time data directly from the government database.

Step 2: Navigate to “Search Taxpayer”

On the home page, look for the ‘Search Taxpayer‘ tab in the menu bar. Click on it, and you will see a few options. Select “Search by PAN”.

Step 3: Enter the Details

Here is where you plug in the data.

1. Permanent Account Number (PAN): Enter the 10-digit alphanumeric PAN of the business or individual.
2. Captcha: Type in the characters shown in the image to prove you aren’t a robot.

Step 4: View the Results

Once you hit search, the portal will display all the GST registrations linked to that specific PAN.

Understanding the Structure of a GSTIN

To better understand what you are looking at, it helps to know how a GST number is built. A GSTIN is a 15-digit code, and the PAN is actually hidden right inside it.

For example, if a GSTIN is 27ABCDE1234F1Z5:

• 27: The State Code (Maharashtra).
• ABCDE1234F: This is the PAN of the business.
• 1: The number of registrations the entity has within the state.
• Z: Default alphabet.
• 5: Checksum digit.

This structure is why the GST search by PAN feature works so flawlessly—the systems are intrinsically linked.

Common Issues and How to Solve Them

Sometimes, you might not get the result you expect. Here are a few real-life scenarios:

“No Records Found”

If you see this message, it usually means one of two things:

1. The business has not registered for GST (perhaps their turnover is below the threshold, e.g., ₹20 lakhs or ₹40 lakhs depending on the state).
2. You entered the PAN incorrectly. Always double-check those zeros (0) and letters (O)!

“Status: Cancelled”

If the search result shows the status as “Cancelled Suo Moto” or just “Cancelled,” do not accept GST invoices from this entity. If you pay GST to them, the government won’t recognize it, and you will lose your Input Tax Credit.

For example: Imagine you hire a contractor for office renovations. He gives you a bill with 18% GST. You do a quick search and find his GSTIN is suspended. If you pay that 18%, you are essentially throwing money away because you cannot claim it back against your own liability.

The Importance of Data Privacy

While this tool is public, it is meant for business verification. It reveals the legal name of the business, the trade name, the state of registration, and the status. It does not reveal sensitive personal data like mobile numbers or bank details. It strikes a good balance between business transparency and privacy.

Conclusion

Mastering the GST search by PAN feature is a small habit that yields big returns for business owners and accountants. It takes less than thirty seconds but safeguards your compliance and finances.

Next time you onboard a new vendor or spot a suspicious invoice, don’t guess. Go to the portal, type in the PAN, and get the truth. It’s free, fast, and essential for modern business.

Ready to verify your vendors? Head over to the GST portal now and run a quick check on your top 5 suppliers!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I find a GST number if I only have the company name? A: The official GST portal currently allows searching by PAN, GSTIN, or UIN. Searching strictly by “Company Name” is not a direct feature on the government portal, though some third-party websites offer this service by scraping public data.

Is the ‘Search by PAN’ feature free to use? A: Yes, the GST search by PAN facility on the official GST website (gst.gov.in) is completely free and available to the public without requiring a login.

Why does one PAN show multiple GST numbers? A: GST is a state-based tax registration. If a company has operations in Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka, they will need a separate GST registration for each state, all linked to the same PAN.

What should I do if a vendor’s GST status is ‘Inactive’? A: You should immediately contact the vendor and ask for a valid, active GSTIN. Do not pay the GST component of the bill, as you will not be able to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) on invoices from inactive or cancelled registrations.

Does the search results show the owner’s address? A: The search result displays the “Principal Place of Business” (the registered address) and the “Additional Places of Business.” It provides the location details necessary to verify the business’s physical existence.