GST Bank Account Validation Guide

The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) introduced a new advisory on April 24, 2023, integrating bank account validation into the GST system. This measure aims to verify the accuracy of bank details submitted by all GST-registered taxpayers. This document outlines the key aspects of the GSTN’s new feature and provides instructions on how to check the bank account validation status via the portal.

GSTN Advisory on Bank Account Validation: An Overview

Through an advisory issued on April 24, 2023, the GSTN instructed taxpayers to verify their bank account validation status on the portal. Depending on the displayed status, taxpayers might need to perform specific actions or await further updates. The various categories for bank account validation status include:

• Success
• Failure
• Success with Remark
• Pending for Verification

The advisory also notes that taxpayers retain the flexibility to add or remove bank accounts subsequent to registration. Bank account validation within the GST framework is essential, primarily because it facilitates the efficient and accurate processing of GST refunds directly into the specified bank accounts. Therefore, all GST-registered entities are required to ensure their active bank accounts are correctly linked on the GST portal, particularly if this step was overlooked during initial GST registration.

GST Rules for Bank Account Declaration

Taxpayers can register a maximum of ten bank accounts on the GST portal. Any additions or modifications to these bank accounts post-GST registration fall under the category of a non-core amendment and are automatically approved upon submission. When declaring a bank account, mandatory information includes the account number, account type, bank branch address, and IFSC. Users can often auto-populate the bank name and branch address by entering the IFSC code and selecting the ‘Get Address’ option during a non-core amendment application. Supporting documents, such as a cancelled cheque copy or the first and last pages of a passbook or bank statement, must be uploaded in JPEG or PDF format, with a size limit of 1 MB. If the name or date of birth in the ‘Basic Details’ tab conflicts with the PAN-registered data, an error will occur. To resolve this, users must update their name and date of birth to match their PAN records for successful bank account validation.

Checking Bank Validation Status on the GST Portal

To check your bank account validation status within the GST system, follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Access and log in to the GST portal.
2. Step 2: From the dashboard, locate the down arrow next to your account name in the top-right corner. Click it, then select ‘My Profile’ from the dropdown menu.
3. Step 3: On the profile screen, navigate to the ‘Quick Links’ section on the left-hand side and click on the ‘Bank Account Status’ tab.
4. Step 4: The ‘Bank Account Status’ screen will display a list of all bank accounts you have added, along with their respective validation statuses.
5. Step 5: Hovering your mouse over the status icon will reveal a tooltip explaining its meaning and any recommended actions. You should proceed based on the displayed status.

Taxpayers will also receive notifications regarding their validation status via their GST-registered email address and mobile number once the process is complete.

Understanding Bank Account Validation Statuses and Required Actions

The GSTN advisory outlines four distinct bank account validation statuses. Each status has a specific meaning and may require different actions, as detailed below:

In conclusion, this advisory guides all taxpayers through the process of verifying their bank account validation status on the GST portal. Ensuring accurate and valid bank details is critical, as incorrect information can lead to delays in compliance procedures.