TIN Application And Search

The Tax Identification Number (TIN) is an 11-digit number assigned to dealers registered under the erstwhile Value-Added Tax (VAT) law. The Commercial Tax Department provides TINs to all business entities or dealers registered under VAT or Central Sales Tax (CST).

TIN is an identification number assigned to business entities or dealers of goods and services covered under the VAT. It is similar to the PAN identification number assigned to individual taxpayers. TIN is required for all entities that need to be registered under VAT for trading in goods and services.

Requirement Of TIN 

The TIN replaced the Sales Tax numbers or CST numbers issued by the State Sales Tax Authorities. The TIN, VAT number or CST number are all the same, and it is mandatory to mention the TIN while undertaking inter-state or state-level sales. All businesses and dealers must mention their TIN in all their sales and purchases of goods and services between states or inside a state.

The state’s Commercial Tax Department assigns TIN to business enterprises located in that respective state to monitor their transactions. Entities that require VAT registration, such as dealers, manufacturers, exporters and traders of goods and services, should mandatorily obtain TIN.

The idea behind the introduction of the TIN is to integrate all tax-related information of business entities operating in different states and to carry out inter-state or intra-state transactions in a single place.

Documents Required For TIN Application

Since state governments furnish TIN, the documents required vary from state to state. However, the general documents required for the TIN application are as follows:

• Proof of identity.
• PAN card of the proprietor.
• Proof of address.
• Proof of address of the business enterprise.
• Passport-size photographs of the proprietor.
• Reference or security.
• Certificate of incorporation of the business entity. 
• Memorandum of association and articles and association in the case of companies registered under the Companies Act.

TIN Application Process

The application for the allotment of a TIN can be made both offline and online. The online procedure for obtaining TIN is as follows:

• Visit the respective state government VAT portal or Commercial Tax Department website where the business operates.
• Register on the VAT portal by filling in the details on the registration form. 
• Upload all the required documents.
• After submitting the registration form, the Commercial Tax Department of the respective state will verify the form.
• When the tax authority accepts the registration form, the Commercial Tax Department generates the TIN.
• The applicant can download the VAT registration certificate containing the 11-digit TIN.

The offline procedure for obtaining TIN is as follows:

• Download the registration form from the respective state Commercial Tax Department website. 
• Fill in the details in the registration application form and sign the application.
• Enclose the required documents along with the signed application form and send it to the facilitation centre.
• The tax officials will process and verify the application form.
• After verification of the application, the Commercial Tax Department will issue the TIN along with the VAT registration certificate.

TIN Number Search

After the TIN is allotted by the state's Commercial Tax Department, dealers or business entities can commence their business involving the sale of goods. The TIN number should be quoted on all invoices raised by the business entity and mentioned to the seller.

An individual can search or verify the TIN number of the dealers by visiting the Commercial Tax Department of the state where the dealer is registered. TIN verification is an online process where an individual can verify the TIN of dealers or companies before dealing with them.

An individual can click on the ‘Dealer search’ option on the respective state’s Commercial Tax Department, enter the TIN number and click on the ‘Search’ button. The dealer’s name, address, license status and PAN will be displayed.

Disclaimer: The materials provided herein are solely for information purposes. No attorney-client relationship is created when you access or use the site or the materials. The information presented on this site does not constitute legal or professional advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes or used as a substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your state.