Not every business needs to stay GST-registered forever. Whether you're closing shop, restructuring, or falling below the threshold, understanding cancellation — and its counterpart, revocation — is essential.
When can GST registration be cancelled?
- Voluntarily, by the taxpayer, when the business is discontinued, transferred, merged, or turnover falls below the threshold and the taxpayer opts out
- By a GST officer (suo motu), for reasons like continuous non-filing of returns, fraudulent registration, or not conducting business from the declared place
Steps for voluntary cancellation
- File Form GST REG-16 on the GST portal, providing reasons for cancellation, the date from which cancellation is sought, and details of stock/assets held.
- Pay off any outstanding tax liability, including a reversal of input tax credit on remaining stock and capital goods.
- File all pending returns up to the effective date of cancellation.
- A GST officer reviews the application and issues Form GST REG-19 confirming the cancellation.
Final return requirement
After cancellation, you must file a Final Return (Form GSTR-10) within three months of the cancellation date or the date of the cancellation order, whichever is later. Skipping this attracts penalties.
Officer-initiated cancellation
If a tax officer proposes cancellation (for example, due to non-filing of returns for a continuous period), you'll receive a show-cause notice (Form GST REG-17) and must respond within 7 working days via Form REG-18 to prevent cancellation.
Revocation of cancellation
If your registration was cancelled by an officer and you believe it was done in error, or you've since resolved the underlying issue (like filing pending returns), you can apply for revocation using Form GST REG-21 within 90 days of the cancellation order (extendable in certain cases). Revocation is not available if you cancelled your registration voluntarily — that decision is final.
Consequences of not cancelling when required
If you've stopped business activity but never formally cancel your GSTIN, you remain liable to file returns (including nil returns) and can accumulate late fees and penalties indefinitely.
Formally closing out your GST registration when a business winds down is just as important as registering it in the first place.
