If a company is charging GST, how can you verify that it is authorised to do so?
Whether you are evaluating a new supplier, reviewing invoices, or conducting business due diligence, confirming a company's GST registration status is an important part of the verification process. It helps businesses validate supplier information, support accurate tax reporting, and identify potential issues before entering into a transaction.
In Singapore, Goods and Services Tax (GST) is administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Businesses with annual taxable turnover exceeding S$1 million are generally required to register, while eligible businesses below this threshold may choose to register voluntarily.
This guide explains how to check if a company is GST registered in Singapore, understand the information available through the IRAS search portal, and use that information to make more informed business decisions.
GST registration allows a business to charge and account for Goods and Services Tax (GST) on taxable goods and services in Singapore. The registration process is administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
Once registered, a business receives a GST Registration Number, which acts as its tax identifier. For many local companies, this number is linked to the company's Unique Entity Number (UEN) and is typically displayed on invoices, receipts, and other business documents.
Key registration requirements include:
Whether registration is mandatory or voluntary, understanding these requirements can make it easier to assess whether a business is authorised to charge GST and why its registration status matters.
A GST Registration Number is a unique identifier issued by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to businesses registered for GST. It is used to identify the business for GST reporting and compliance purposes.
For many local companies, the GST Registration Number is linked to the company's Unique Entity Number (UEN) and may appear in formats such as:
You can typically find this number on tax invoices, receipts, quotations, and other business documents. If available, using the GST Registration Number or UEN when conducting a search can help you verify a company's registration status more accurately.
Checking a company's GST registration status is a simple step that can help businesses validate supplier information, support accurate tax reporting, and reduce potential compliance risks.
Some common reasons to perform a registration check include:
As part of supplier onboarding, invoice reviews, or routine due diligence, a registration check can help businesses make more informed decisions.
The verification process can typically be completed in a few minutes using the IRAS GST Registered Business Search.
Visit the official GST Registered Business Search page on the IRAS website. The search tool is publicly accessible and does not require a login.
Enter the company's:
Where available, using the UEN or GST Registration Number will generally produce the most accurate results.
The search results will typically show:
|
Information |
Why it Matters |
|
Business Name |
Confirms you have located the correct entity |
|
Registration Status |
Indicates whether the registration is active or cancelled |
|
Effective Date |
Shows when the business became registered |
Compare the details shown in the search results against invoices, quotations, receipts, or other business documents. The information should be consistent across all records.
If the business cannot be found or its registration status is shown as cancelled, consider verifying the information directly with the company before proceeding with a transaction or processing an invoice.
A registration check takes only a few minutes but can help businesses validate supplier information, support compliance efforts, and reduce reporting errors.
The IRAS GST Registered Business Search provides access to key registration details that can help businesses validate supplier information and verify the details shown on commercial documents.
|
Information |
What it Helps You Verify |
|
Registration Status |
Whether the business is currently authorised to charge GST |
|
Effective Registration Date |
The date the business became GST registered |
|
Effective Cancellation Date |
The date the business ceased to be GST registered, if applicable |
|
Business Name |
The legal name of the registered entity |
|
Trading Name |
Whether the name used on invoices or business documents matches the registered business |
These details can be particularly useful when reviewing supplier records, validating invoices, or confirming that a business was registered at the time a transaction took place.
A company that is not GST registered cannot legally charge GST on its goods or services. However, this does not automatically mean the business is non-compliant, as many businesses operate below the S$1 million registration threshold.
Some key implications include:
If a registration check indicates that a company is not registered, but GST has been charged on an invoice, it is advisable to verify the information directly with the business before making payment.
GST registration checks are straightforward, but overlooking key details can lead to compliance issues, reporting errors, and unnecessary follow-up work.
Some common mistakes include:
A few minutes spent verifying registration details can help businesses avoid unnecessary compliance issues and maintain more accurate records.
Verifying a company's GST registration status is a simple but important step when reviewing suppliers, validating invoices, or conducting due diligence. A quick search through the IRAS GST Registered Business Search can help businesses confirm registration details and avoid unnecessary compliance risks.
If you need support with GST registration, compliance, or tax reporting in Singapore, Ascentium can help you navigate the process and ensure ongoing compliance