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Validate India Tax ID Numbers via API
When building B2B applications that serve India (भारत (Bhārat)), validating your customers' GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is essential for B2B compliance and protecting your business from tax liability.
The TaxID API provides instant format validation and live lookup for India GSTIN numbers via GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network). Every request returns the validation status with sub-100ms response times for cached results.India applies a standard rate of 18% (GSTIN).
QUICK START
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \ http://localhost:3000/api/v1/validate/IN/22AAAAA0000A1Z5
Code examples
Choose your language. Every example validates a India VAT number and returns the registration status with company details.
const res = await fetch('http://localhost:3000/api/v1/validate/IN/22AAAAA0000A1Z5', {
headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' }
});
const data = await res.json();
// { valid: true, status: "active", company_name: "...", country_code: "IN", cached: false }
console.log(data);When to validate India tax ID numbers
B2B invoicing and accounts payable
When issuing or receiving invoices from India businesses, validating the GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) ensures the identifier is genuine before committing the transaction to your ERP. Invalid or fabricated tax IDs are a leading vector for invoice fraud and can result in rejected filings or audit penalties.
SaaS and e-commerce checkout
If your platform serves India business customers, collecting and validating their GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) at checkout is required for accurate tax treatment, correct invoicing, and downstream reporting. An invalid tax ID at the point of sale creates a correction burden across your finance stack.
Supplier and marketplace onboarding
For procurement platforms and regulated marketplaces onboarding India sellers or vendors, validating the GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) at registration prevents fraudulent or duplicate accounts from entering your ecosystem. Validate once at onboarding, then re-validate periodically to detect deregistrations or changes.
About India VAT format (GSTIN)
India's GST replaced a complex system of central and state taxes in 2017. GSTIN is a 15-character identifier where the first 2 digits are the state code, the next 10 are the PAN, and the last 3 identify the entity and include a check digit. India has one of the world's largest GST-registered business populations.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Country code | IN |
| Local name | GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) |
| Format | 2-digit state code + 10-digit PAN + entity number + Z + check digit |
| Regex pattern | ^[0-9]{2}[A-Z]{5}[0-9]{4}[A-Z]{1}[1-9A-Z]{1}Z[0-9A-Z]{1}$ |
| Example | 22AAAAA0000A1Z5 |
| VIES supported | No |
VAT rates in India
India applies a standard GSTIN rate of 18%. Reduced rates of 12% and 5% and 0% apply to essential goods and services.
| Rate type | Percentage | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 18% | INR |
| Reduced rate | 12% | INR |
| Reduced rate | 5% | INR |
| Reduced rate | 0% | INR |
Frequently asked questions
What is the India tax ID number format?
India tax ID numbers (GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number)) follow the format: 2-digit state code + 10-digit PAN + entity number + Z + check digit. A valid example is 22AAAAA0000A1Z5. The TaxID API validates the format locally and where possible checks against the GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network), ensuring you only accept properly registered businesses.
Should I validate GSTIN numbers when transacting with India businesses?
Validating GSTIN numbers reduces fraud risk, prevents invalid identifiers from entering your accounting system, and is required by many B2B contracts and procurement platforms. While mandatory rules vary by jurisdiction, validating at onboarding is widely considered best practice — especially for SaaS, marketplace, and fintech platforms with global customer bases.
What is the standard tax rate in India?
The standard tax rate in India is 18% (GSTIN). Reduced rates of 12% and 5% and 0% apply to certain goods and services such as food, books, and medical supplies. The TaxID API's /rates endpoint returns all current rates for programmatic access.
How long does India tax ID validation take with TaxID?
For cached results (previously validated in the last 24 hours), the TaxID API responds in under 10ms. Format validation is instantaneous. For uncached requests requiring a live lookup against GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network), response time is typically 100–500ms. Valid numbers are cached for 24 hours; invalid numbers are cached for 1 hour.
How does the TaxID API validate India GSTIN numbers?
The TaxID API validates India GSTIN numbers in two steps: first it checks the format against the official pattern (2-digit state code + 10-digit PAN + entity number + Z + check digit), then it queries GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network) where a live API is available. India's GST replaced a complex system of central and state taxes in 2017. GSTIN is a 15-character identifier where the first 2 digits are the state code, the next 10 are the PAN, and the last 3 identify the entity and include a check digit. India has one of the world's largest GST-registered business populations.
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