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22

CGST Act · Section 22

Persons liable for registration

☐ Has aggregate turnover been computed PAN-wide? ☐ Has applicable threshold been determined (Rs. 20 / 10 / 40 lakh)? ☐ Has State-specific framework been verified? ☐ For exclusive goods suppliers, has Rs. 40 lakh applicability been…

Section 22 registration threshold — checklist (19 items)

Section 22 registration threshold — checklist (19 items)

☐ Has aggregate turnover been computed PAN-wide?

☐ Has applicable threshold been determined (Rs. 20 / 10 / 40 lakh)?

☐ Has State-specific framework been verified?

☐ For exclusive goods suppliers, has Rs. 40 lakh applicability been verified?

☐ Has Notification 10/2019-CT applicability been verified?

☐ For special-category State, has Notification 31/2018-CT been considered?

☐ Has aggregate turnover s. 2(6) definition been applied?

☐ Has FY-wise turnover monitoring been done?

☐ On breach, has registration within 30 days been planned?

☐ For going-concern transfer, has sub-s. (3) been applied?

☐ For M&A under HC/Tribunal, has sub-s. (4) been applied?

☐ Has coordination with composition scheme been done?

☐ Has voluntary registration consideration been made for B2B?

☐ For multi-State, has comprehensive registration been done?

☐ Has Mohit Minerals constitutional framework been applied?

☐ Has Mafatlal procedural-fairness framework been observed?

☐ Has Vatika prospective-operation been applied?

☐ Has audit-defensibility through threshold file been ensured?

☐ Has the file been reviewed for audit-defensibility?

Worked examples — five live scenarios

Example 1 — Rs. 40 lakh threshold (goods only)

Facts: Trader in Delhi, exclusive goods (textiles), FY 2024-25 turnover Rs. 30 lakh.

Analysis: Notification 10/2019-CT — Rs. 40 lakh for exclusive goods suppliers (Delhi covered). Turnover Rs. 30 lakh below threshold. No registration liability.

Result: Below Rs. 40 lakh threshold. Not liable.

Example 2 — Rs. 20 lakh general threshold (services)

Facts: Service provider in Mumbai, FY 2024-25 turnover Rs. 22 lakh.

Analysis: Services — Rs. 20 lakh threshold. Breached. Registration liable within 30 days of breach.

Result: Registration required.

Example 3 — Special-category Rs. 10 lakh

Facts: Service provider in Manipur, FY 2024-25 turnover Rs. 12 lakh.

Analysis: Manipur is special-category. Rs. 10 lakh threshold applies. Notification 31/2018-CT did not enhance Manipur. Threshold breached.

Result: Registration required.

Example 4 — Going-concern transfer

Facts: A acquires B's business as going concern on 1-Jul-2025. B's registration was operative.

Analysis: Sub-s. (3) — A liable from 1-Jul-2025. Within 30 days, A registers (if not already). B's ITC transferred via ITC-02 framework.

Result: Successor registration discipline.

Example 5 — Multi-State operations

Facts: Entity with PAN-wide turnover Rs. 50 lakh, distributed across Delhi (Rs. 15 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs. 20 lakh), Karnataka (Rs. 15 lakh).

Analysis: Aggregate Rs. 50 lakh exceeds Rs. 20 lakh threshold. Registration required in each State of supply (s. 25(4) distinct persons).

Result: Three State registrations (Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka).

Planning and litigation strategy

  • • Monitor aggregate turnover monthly.
  • • For approaching thresholds, plan registration timing.
  • • For B2B businesses below threshold, evaluate voluntary registration.
  • • For multi-State operations, build State-wise compliance framework.
  • • Coordinate with composition scheme decision.
  • • Verify applicable threshold per Notification framework.
  • • For M&A / going-concern transactions, plan registration transition.
  • • Coordinate ITC-02 for transitional events.
  • • Train compliance teams on aggregate-turnover computation.
  • • Build documentary trail of threshold monitoring.
  • • For sectoral matters, verify any specific notification framework.
  • • Apply Vatika prospective-operation for amendments.
  • • Coordinate with State / UTGST parallel framework.
  • • Maintain readiness for threshold-related litigation.
  • • Build precedent file on threshold jurisprudence.

Litigation defence

  • • For threshold disputes, build aggregate-turnover documentation.
  • • Apply Notification framework specifically.
  • • Plead Mohit Minerals constitutional framework.
  • • Use Mafatlal procedural-fairness framework.
  • • Apply Vatika prospective-operation.
  • • Use Bharti Airtel substance-over-form discipline.
  • • Use Whirlpool framework for writ jurisdiction.
  • • Apply Calcutta Discount Co. for jurisdictional discipline.
  • • Plead Modern Dental proportionality.
  • • For going-concern / M&A disputes, plead sub-s. (3) / (4) framework.
  • • For special-category disputes, plead Notification framework.
  • • Build precedent file on s. 22 jurisprudence.
  • • Coordinate with State / UTGST parallel framework.
  • • Maintain readiness for registration-related litigation.
  • • Use Maneka Gandhi procedural-fairness for natural-justice anchor.
  • • Apply Dilip Kumar discipline for non-registration claim.

Cross-references

  • • Section 2(6) (Aggregate turnover definition)
  • • Section 10 (Composition scheme)
  • • Section 18(3) (ITC transfer on M&A)
  • • Schedule II Para 4(c) (going-concern transfer non-supply)
  • • Notification 10/2019-CT (Rs. 40 lakh for goods)
  • • Notification 31/2018-CT (special-category enhancement)
  • • FORM GST ITC-02 (ITC transfer on M&A)
  • • Companies Act 2013, s. 232 (M&A framework)
  • • Section 9 (Levy framework)
  • • Section 16 (ITC eligibility)
  • • Section 22 (Persons liable for registration)
  • • Section 23 (Persons not liable)
  • • Section 24 (Compulsory registration)
  • • Section 25 (Procedure)
  • • Section 26 (Deemed registration)
  • • Section 27 (CTP / NRTP)
  • • Section 28 (Amendment)
  • • Section 29 (Cancellation / suspension)
  • • Section 30 (Revocation)
  • • Section 39 (Returns)
  • • Section 49 (Payment)
  • • Section 122 (Penalty)
  • • Section 161 (Rectification)
  • • Section 168 (Instructions)
  • • Article 246A, Constitution of India (concurrent legislative power)
  • • Article 14, Constitution of India (reasonableness)
  • • Article 19(1)(g), Constitution of India (right to carry on business)
  • • Article 21, Constitution of India (procedural due process)
  • • Article 226, Constitution of India (writ jurisdiction)
  • • Rules 8-26 (Registration framework)
  • • FORM GST REG-01 to REG-31 (Registration forms)
  • • Notification 10/2019-CT (Rs. 40 lakh threshold for goods-only suppliers)
  • • Notification 4/2017-CT (Common Portal)
  • • Mohit Minerals (2022) 10 SCC 700 (constitutional architecture)
  • • Vatika Township (2014) 367 ITR 466 (prospective operation)
  • • Mafatlal Industries (1997) 5 SCC 536 (procedural framework)
  • • Bharti Airtel v UoI (2021) 11 SCC 374 (substance over form)
  • • Whirlpool Corporation (1998) 8 SCC 1 (writ jurisdiction)
  • • Calcutta Discount Co. AIR 1961 SC 372 (jurisdictional limits)
  • • Modern Dental College (2016) 7 SCC 353 (proportionality)
  • • Maneka Gandhi (1978) 1 SCC 248 (procedural fairness)
  • • Dilip Kumar (2018) 9 SCC 1 (strict construction)
  • • Suguna Cutpiece (Madras HC 2022) 59 GSTL 73 (retrospective cancellation framework)