You’ve just received an invoice from a new vendor. It’s got that 9% GST line item at the bottom. But here’s the nagging question: Are they actually allowed to charge you that? If you pay it and they aren't registered with IRAS, that money is effectively gone. You can’t claim it back, and your "input tax" claim just became a compliance nightmare.
Checking GST status isn't just about ticking a box, it’s about protecting your cash flow.
Key Takeaways
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Verifying a company's GST status ensures that you only pay the 9% tax to legitimate, registered entities, protecting your business from fraudulent charges and ensuring eligibility for input tax claims.
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Singapore businesses must register for GST when their taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million annually, though many smaller firms choose to register voluntarily to claim back GST on their business expenses.
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Checking a registration status is a simple, digital process using the IRAS myTax Portal, which provides real-time confirmation of a business’s legal authority to collect tax on behalf of the government.
What is GST Registration in Singapore
GST registration is the formal process of becoming a taxable entity recognized by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Once registered, your business is required to collect the prevailing 9% GST on its sales, known as output tax, and remit it to the government.
This system functions as a reciprocal arrangement where you also gain the right to claim back the GST you pay on business purchases, referred to as input tax. In 2026, where operational costs are a primary concern for business owners, these claims can significantly improve your net margins. Many startups choose to register voluntarily even before hitting the revenue threshold to recover high initial setup costs or to maintain a professional standing with other tax-registered clients.
Registration becomes mandatory if your annual taxable turnover exceeds S$1 million. If your revenue is below this amount, you may still choose to register voluntarily, provided you are prepared to manage the quarterly filing requirements and remain in the system for at least two years.
Why Check GST Registration Status
Why bother? Because "trust but verify" is the golden rule of Singapore business.
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For your Suppliers: If they charge you GST but aren't registered, IRAS won't refund you. You’re essentially giving the supplier a 9% tip they didn't earn.
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For your own Peace of Mind: Registration status can change. A supplier might deregister because their revenue dropped, but their accounting software might still be spitting out old invoice templates.
How to Check GST Registration Status in 2 Minutes
You don't need a middleman for this. The IRAS myTax Portal is publicly accessible.
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Access the Search Tool: Visit the IRAS myTax Portal and look for the "GST Registered Business Search" digital service.
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Enter Business Details: You can search using the business name or, more accurately, the Unique Entity Number (UEN) or GST Registration Number.
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Verify the Results: The portal will display the legal name of the entity and its registration status.
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Confirm Dates: Pay close attention to the "Effective Date." A business cannot legally charge GST before this date, nor after their "Cancellation Date" if they have deregistered.
Understanding GST Registration Information
When you search for a company, focus on these three indicators to protect your cash flow:
1. Effective Date
This is the date the company became legally allowed to charge GST. Here's why it matters to your wallet: if you have an invoice dated March 1, 2026, but their effective date is April 15, 2026, they charged you GST illegally. That's a S$900 mistake on a S$10,000 invoice you can't claim back.
What to do: Cross-check every invoice date against this effective date before you approve payment.
2. Registration Status
The portal will show one of three outcomes. Here is how to read them:
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Active: The green light. The business is currently registered. You must pay the GST and can safely claim it back as input tax.
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Cancelled: The stop sign. The business has deregistered.
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The Check: Look at the Cancellation Date. Any invoice issued after this date is invalid for GST. If you pay it, IRAS will not refund you.
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No Results Found: Treat this as a red flag. If a company doesn't appear in the search, they are not authorized to collect GST.
3. GST Registration Number vs. UEN (Don't Overthink This)
You'll see both numbers on the search result. For your purposes, just confirm the UEN on the portal matches the UEN on their invoice. If they match, and the status is "Active," you're good to go.
GST Registration vs. Business Registration: Key Differences
It is a common misconception that getting an ACRA UEN automatically means a company is GST-registered. They are two distinct milestones:
| Business Registration (ACRA) | GST Registration (IRAS) | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Legal recognition of the business entity. | Permission to collect and claim 9% tax. |
| Mandatory for | All businesses operating in Singapore. | Businesses with >S$1M taxable turnover. |
| Identifier | Unique Entity Number (UEN). | GST Registration Number (often UEN-based). |
Common Scenarios for GST Registration Lookup
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Vendor Onboarding: Make it a standard part of your "Know Your Vendor" (KYV) process.
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High-Value Purchases: Buying a fleet of vans or expensive office equipment? A 9% error on a S$100k purchase is a S$9,000 mistake you can't afford.
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Price Comparisons: If Vendor A is 5% cheaper than Vendor B, but Vendor A isn't GST-registered (meaning you can't claim anything back), Vendor B might actually be the cheaper option for you.
What to Do If a Company is Not GST Registered
If a "non-registered" company sends you a GST invoice:
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Do not pay it.
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Request a corrected invoice. They should only be charging you the base price.
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Check your own status. If you should be registered because you’ve crossed the S$1M mark but haven't told IRAS yet, the penalties in 2026 are stiff. You’ll have to pay the GST you should have collected out of your own pocket.
Get Expert Help with Swiftly Singapore
Managing GST compliance and statutory obligations should never hinder your growth. As Singapore’s first fully-automated incorporation service, Swiftly leverages technology to handle your ACRA and IRAS requirements in minutes, not days.
Whether you are looking to start a new company or navigate the complexities of GST registration, our frictionless digital experience ensures your business remains fully compliant while you focus on scaling. Experience a more efficient corporate service at Swiftly today with 100% online, paperless onboarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I backdate my GST claims?
You can claim input tax on goods and services acquired up to 6 months before your registration effective date, provided you still have them or they're for business use. However, you cannot claim on goods already sold or consumed before registration.
Q: I’m a freelancer, do I need to worry?
Unless you’re a high-earning freelancer making over S$1M, you likely don't need to register. However, you should still check if the software or tools you subscribe to are charging you GST correctly.
Q: What if I accidentally paid GST to a non-registered business?
You’ll need to contact them for a refund. IRAS will not reimburse you for taxes paid to an unauthorized entity.
