Can I charge GST to an unregistered person?

Asked by: Miller Labadie  |  Last update: June 5, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (73 votes)

Yes, a registered business must charge GST when selling goods or services to an unregistered person (a B2C transaction). The unregistered status of the buyer does not exempt the transaction from GST; the seller must collect tax and report it, using a normal invoice without a GSTIN for the customer.

Can you charge GST if you aren't registered?

Can I Charge GST If I'm Not Registered for GST? You can't charge GST if you aren't registered for GST. Although the onus is generally on the purchaser to make sure that you've registered for GST if you're charging it, they may report you to the ATO if you've incorrectly charged GST.

How to pay GST for an unregistered person?

Unregistered persons should create a User ID on GST Portal, using which they can create challan and make Payment in pre-login mode. Download the application from “Download -> Offline Tools”, print it, fill it and submit to Jurisdictional Tax Office along with Payment Receipt.

Can you claim GST from an unregistered person?

If you buy goods or services from an unregistered person, they will not charge GST. This normally means you cannot claim GST on the purchase. For some special supplies, such as secondhand goods, you may still be able to claim a GST adjustment.

Is GST applicable on sale to an unregistered person?

Yes, you will be liable to pay tax on reverse charge basis for supplies from unregistered person.

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What happens if a seller is not registered for GST?

If the ATO discovers you've been charging GST without being registered, you could face: Refunding GST to Customers: You'll need to pay back the GST you've charged, even if you've already spent it. Financial Penalties: The ATO may hit you with fines, interest charges, and audits.

How to make a GST bill for an unregistered person?

Any person or entity who is not registered in the GST system but intends to transport or move goods above Rs. 50,000 valuation is eligible to use form ENR-03 for generating an enrolment number. This number is then used to generate e-way bills instead of using recipients' GSTIN.

How do I invoice someone who is not registered for GST?

If you're not registered for GST, your invoices should not include the words 'tax invoice' – you must issue standard invoices. We have examples of how tax invoices can look, including what information needs to be included on them – see, Tax invoices.

How do I get GST refund for unregistered person?

Unregistered persons can claim refunds if specific conditions are met, such as the expiry of the supplier's credit note issuance period and the submission of necessary documentary evidence. The application must be filed electronically using FORM GST RFD-01, with manual filing allowed in certain scenarios.

What is assessment of unregistered persons under GST?

Assessment of Unregistered Persons

He can issue assessment order within 5 years from the due date of the annual return for the year when the tax was not paid. The taxable person will receive a show cause notice and an opportunity of being heard before passing any order.

Can we make an e-invoice for an unregistered person?

Taxpayers with Annual Aggregate Turnover (AATO) of Rs. 5 crore or more must generate e-invoices since 1st August 2023. No, a GST-unregistered person cannot generate e-invoice as e-invoicing is mandatory only for registered taxable persons and applies to B2B transactions with GST-registered persons.

What happens if GST is not registered?

Heavy Penalties and Fines

If you are liable to register for GST but fail to do so, you are considered in violation of GST law. As per the GST Act: A penalty of ₹10,000 or 10% of the tax due, whichever is higher, is applicable. If tax evasion is found to be intentional, the penalty can go up to 100% of the tax due.

How to file GST return for unregistered person?

The applicant should file the refund application using Form GST RFD-01 on the GST portal under the category 'Refund for unregistered person'. Further, they should upload Statement 8 (in PDF format) along with all the requisite documents as per Rule 89(2) of the CGST Rules.

Do I have to do BAS if not registered for GST?

You don't need to lodge a BAS if your turnover is less than $75,000 and you're not registered for GST. You should lodge annually if your turnover is less than $75,000, but you voluntarily register for GST. You should lodge quarterly if your annual GST turnover is less than $20 million.

What is the minimum turnover to register for GST?

Businesses are required to register for GST and pay tax on their annual turnover if their annual revenue exceeds Rs. 40 lakhs in the case of goods supplied and Rs. 20 lakhs for the supply of services.

Do I have to pay GST if I make less than $30,000?

You have to start charging GST/HST on the supply that made you exceed $30,000. You exceed the $30,000 threshold 1 over the previous four (or fewer) consecutive calendar quarters (but not in a single calendar quarter).

Is an unregistered person liable to pay GST?

Similarly, section 9(4) of CGST / SGST (UTGST) Act, 2017 / section 5(4) of IGST Act, 2017 provides that the tax in respect of the supply of taxable goods or services or both by a supplier, who is not registered, to a registered person shall be paid by such person on reverse charge basis as the recipient and all the ...

Can I charge GST if I am not registered?

You can't charge GST unless you're registered for GST. If you're registered for GST, you should always include GST in the price of your sale (or get caught out by the ATO). If you register for GST partway through the year, you start charging GST from then on – you don't have to back pay.

How to pay GST on unregistered purchases?

Under the reverse charge mechanism, GST is collectable by the buyer and not the seller when goods are supplied by an unregistered dealer. That is, the burden of paying the tax is placed on the buyer who has to self-assess and pay GST at the taxation authority and keep records for the legally taxable transaction.

What happens if a supplier is not registered for GST?

But what happens when the Supplier is charging you GST when they aren't actually registered to collect GST? You may pay them the extra 10% on their invoice but you are not entitled to claim that credit back from the ATO. If it has already been claimed, you may have to refund it to the ATO at a later date.

How do I invoice someone who is not VAT registered?

Requirements of a non-VAT invoice

  1. The name, address and contact information of the company supplying the goods or services.
  2. An identifying invoice number that is unique and sequential.
  3. The name or the company name and address of the customer who is being invoiced.

Do I need to charge GST if I earn under $75000?

If your GST turnover is below the $75,000 threshold, you may choose to register. But if you do, regardless of your turnover, you must: include GST in the price of most goods and services you sell. claim GST credits for most business purchases you make.

How to invoice when not registered for GST?

But common practice is to include:

  1. the word 'invoice' – you must not use 'tax invoice'
  2. your business name.
  3. your ABN.
  4. a unique invoice number.
  5. the date you issued the invoice.
  6. your contact details (postal address, email, phone)
  7. a description of the goods or services sold (including quantity and price)

Can an unregistered person issue an invoice?

An unregistered person may supply goods on ordinary commercial invoices and he cannot issue tax invoice.

Can an unregistered person file an appeal under GST?

Who can file an appeal to the Appellate Authority? Any taxpayer or an unregistered person aggrieved by any decision or order passed against him (with respect to Registration, amendment or cancellation etc.)