Open gst.gov.in, choose Search Taxpayer, then Search by GSTIN/UIN, enter the 15-character number and the captcha. The result shows the legal name, trade name, registration status and related details, with no login. Check the status and the name against the invoice before you claim input tax credit.
Facts checked: 9 October 2026, against the portal's Search Taxpayer user manual and secondary guides. Screen layouts change and sources differ slightly on which fields appear before login, so confirm the exact fields on the portal itself.
Steps to verify a GSTIN
- Go to the official GST portal, gst.gov.in.
- Open the Search Taxpayer menu and select Search by GSTIN/UIN.
- Enter the GSTIN (or UIN for embassies and similar bodies), solve the captcha and search.
- Compare the result with the supplier's invoice and your vendor master.
You cannot find a GSTIN by typing a business name. The search takes a GSTIN or UIN, and the portal also offers a search by PAN. Use that to list the registrations under one PAN.
What the result shows
| Detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Legal name and trade name | Must match the invoice and the vendor master |
| GSTIN/UIN status | Active, Cancelled or Suspended (an auto-suspended GSTIN shows the effective date) |
| Date of registration, and date of cancellation if any | Test whether the invoice date falls inside the registration period |
| Constitution of business and taxpayer type | Proprietor, company, LLP; regular or composition |
| State and centre jurisdiction | Useful for notices and confirming the registered state |
| Return filing status | Shown on the portal for recent periods, per the guides; check it on the live screen |
Logged-in users may see more, such as proprietor or director names. Treat that as a portal feature to confirm, not to rely on.
How a GSTIN is built
A GSTIN has 15 characters:
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | State code |
| 3-12 | The 10-character PAN of the holder |
| 13 | Entity number: how many registrations that PAN holds in the state |
| 14 | The letter Z by default |
| 15 | Check character |
A dummy example of the shape is 99AAAAA0000A1Z5. It is not a real number. The structure lets you spot errors quickly: the state code should match the supplier's state, and characters 3 to 12 should match the supplier's PAN.
A worked scenario
A CA firm is reviewing a client's purchases of ₹4,72,000 including GST from a new supplier. The invoice shows a Maharashtra address, but the GSTIN begins with the code for another state, and the portal says the registration was cancelled two months before the invoice date. The client should not claim ITC on this invoice until the supplier explains it. Section 16 conditions on ITC, such as a valid tax invoice and the supplier's tax reaching the government, are the reason the check belongs before filing, not after a notice. Section 17(5) is a separate question: it blocks ITC on certain items even from a perfectly valid supplier. Tick both boxes.
Red flags
- Cancelled or suspended status on the invoice date.
- Name mismatch between the invoice, the portal legal name and your records.
- PAN mismatch with the PAN you hold for the vendor.
- State code mismatch with the place of supply or vendor address.
- Supplier does not file. Missing filings mean the invoice may not appear in GSTR-2B. See the 2B reconciliation checker and the 180-day ITC reversal calculator.
Keep a dated screenshot of the result in the workpaper file; see GST audit workpapers. Check that your own invoices carry the right details with the GST tax invoice format, and know the dates your clients must meet in GST return due dates for FY 2026-27.
Frequently asked questions
Can I search a GST number by company name?
Not on the official Search Taxpayer page, which takes a GSTIN, UIN or PAN. Ask the supplier for the number or read it from the invoice.
What does Active, Cancelled or Suspended mean?
Active is a live registration. Cancelled means it has been ended, and the portal gives the date. Suspended means the registration is auto-suspended, and the portal shows the effective date. Confirm the exact wording on the portal.
Is a valid GSTIN enough to claim ITC?
No. The GSTIN only shows the supplier is registered. ITC also needs the invoice, receipt of goods or services, the supplier's return and payment, and no block under section 17(5).
How often should vendors be checked?
At onboarding, and again before large payments or at quarter-end. A registration active in April can be cancelled by October.
To quantify tax on a transaction, try the GST calculator.
To read the state from the first two digits of a GSTIN, use the GST state code list and GSTIN decoder.
Statutory facts on this page are checked against their sources, and the page says where it relied on secondary reporting. How we verify · Report an error