What is ARN?

ARN stands for Application Reference Number. The ARN number is usually generated automatically after the taxpayer successfully submits his/her GST registration application on the GST (Goods and Services Tax) portal. ARN is required to be signed electronically or contains a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) at the time of submission of the enrolment application on the GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network) portal. A GST Registration Application is processed after 15 days of applying on the GST portal.

With the help of this ARN, the taxpayer can easily track his/her GST registration status until the government issues a GST Certificate and GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) to the taxpayer. Also, the taxpayer is allowed to carry out transactions on the GST System Portal and can be used in the future course of GST.

The ARN generated is unique for every taxpayer. It is the official proof that the taxpayer has successfully applied for his/her GST registration on the GSTN portal. The ARN number thus, holds a significant value and taxpayers must keep it secure as it can be used for various purposes other than checking the GST ARN status.

Format of ARN

• ARN is a 15 digit alpha-numeric code, where:
• First 2 codes are alphabets
• Next 2 digits represent the state code
• Subsequent 4 codes indicate month and year
• Following 6 digits are the unique system generated number
• Last code shows the checksum digit

For example, a common ARN will generally contain the following format:

AA 01 02 20 000000 1

Important Things to Consider Before Checking GST Registration Status – GST ARN Status

Before you can check your GST registration status, it is essential that you have these documents at hand:

(a) Directors or partners list along with their identification and address proof. It has been quite significant to mention that you are doing business in the partnership or incorporation.

(b) Memorandum of Association (MOA) / Articles of Association (AOA), Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed.

(c) PAN card of the individual or business organisation.

(d) A cancelled cheque of bank account in which name of the account holder, IFSC code, MICR and branch details of bank must be mentioned.

(e) Either a rent agreement or an electricity bill as a feature and document of area of business.

Steps To Check GST Registration Status – GST ARN Status

Given below are guided steps with the help of which taxpayers can quickly check GST registration status and/or GST ARN status on the GSTN portal.

Steps:

1. you need to just open a web browser and visit the official website https://gst.gov.in.

Note: The GST portal can be accessed via supported web browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.

2. Once on the homepage of the GST portal, click the Services menu, then under Registration, click Track Application Status.
3. You will be directed to the Track Application Status page, where you are required to enter the ARN issued to you at the time of GST registration. Enter the ARN and click the Search button to proceed.

Note: If there is a Captcha code given on the page, verify the code by entering it in the text box.

4. Your Application ARN status will be displayed on the screen.

Note: Your Application ARN status details will also be sent to you on your registered phone number and e-mail address.

GST ARN Track Status

There may be six possible outcomes when an applicant tracks the ARN status and these are given as under:

(i) Form Assigned to GST Officer

This ARN Status appears when the GST application is assigned or given to the GST officer for processing and approvals. that should be kept in mind that this status does not imply that your GST Registration application has been canceled.

(ii) Pending for Clarification

The above-mentioned ARN status appears when the GST officer requests the applicant to submit the clarification on the filed GST Registration application. And in this case, the applicant will have to submit or give clarification on the GST Portal as soon as possible.

(iii) Clarification Filed – Pending for Order

This status is shown when the clarification is filed by the applicant against the concerns escalated by the GST Officer. Howsoever, the approval has still been put on hold form the GST officer side.

(iv) Clarification not Filed – Pending for Order

This ARN status comes when the applicant does not provide the clarification to the GST officer within the prescribed time period. And there is a possibility that the applicant’s GST registration application will get rejected by the concerned GST officer.

(v) Application Approved

In case, you get this status after having tracked the status then this means that the application for GST registration has been approved or accepted by the GST Officer. Once this status display then the applicant will soon get a GST identification number (GSTIN) along with GST registration certified.

(vi) Application Rejected

This ARN status displays when the GST Registration application is rejected or disapproved by the GST officer. In case, the applicant wants to register under GST, then he/she will have to re-submit the GST Registration form.

Taxpayers can check the status of their GST registration application online on the GST portal and can take necessary action based on the status of ARN.

Other Things to Consider

There are, however, few additional things that should be taken into account in regard to checking GST Application ARN status on the GST portal.

• If a taxpayer has received the Application Reference Number (ARN), then he/she should be able to download the Provisional Registration Certificate from the Download Certificates section, which is easily available on the GST portal.

• Any taxpayer, who has saved the enrolment form with all details but has yet not submitted the same with a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), e-Sign, or EVC, then he/she will receive the ARN at their registered e-mail address if the data gave is successfully validated. However, if the validation fails, then the taxpayer would be able to log into the same portal onward and correct the errors. One can also get the details of the errors via registered e-mail.

• A taxpayer who completes the enrolment form can log in to the GST portal from the above-mentioned date and complete the rest part of the form.

• When an existing taxpayer would like to register under GST, then he /she will be able to apply for a new registration on the GST portal.