Can You Run a Business Without GST Registration? Legal Facts You Must Know
Starting a business in India is exciting—but it also comes with legal responsibilities. One of the most common questions new entrepreneurs ask is: Can you run a business without GST registration? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It depends on your business type, turnover, and nature of operations. Let’s break it down in a clear, practical, and human way. Understanding GST Registration in Simple Terms Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an indirect tax system introduced to unify multiple taxes under one umbrella. GST registration legally authorizes a business to collect tax from customers and claim input tax credit. While GST has simplified taxation, not every business is required to register immediately. When Is GST Registration Mandatory? You must register under GST if your business falls into any of these categories: Your annual turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh (for goods) or ₹20 lakh (for services) You run an inter-state business You sell through e-commerce platforms You are a casual taxa...