Difference Between CIN, LLPIN, PAN & GST

When you start a business, work with companies, or even check whether a business is genuine, you often come across terms like CIN, LLPIN, PAN, and GST.
These numbers may look confusing, but each one serves a very specific purpose.

In this article, I’ll clearly explain the difference between CIN, LLPIN, PAN & GST, why they exist, and who needs which one—without legal jargon.

Why Are These Numbers Important?

India’s business system works on identification and compliance.
Each number helps the government:

Identify a business
Track taxes
Monitor legal compliance
Prevent fraud

For business owners and common people, these numbers help in verification, trust, and transparency.

1️⃣ What Is CIN (Corporate Identification Number)?

CIN is the Company Identification Number issued to companies registered under the Companies Act, 2013.

Key Points About CIN:

Issued by Registrar of Companies (RoC)
Only for companies, not LLPs or sole proprietors
Given at the time of company incorporation

Example of CIN:

U74999MH2023PTC123456

Who Needs CIN?

✔ Private Limited Company
✔ Public Limited Company
✔ One Person Company
✔ Section 8 Company

👉 CIN proves that a company legally exists in India.

2️⃣ What Is LLPIN (Limited Liability Partnership Identification Number)?

LLPIN is issued to businesses registered as Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).

Key Points About LLPIN:

Issued by Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
Only for LLPs
Companies do NOT get LLPIN

Example of LLPIN:

AAA-1234

Who Needs LLPIN?

✔ LLP businesses
✔ Professional firms (CA, CS, Law firms registered as LLP)

👉 If a business has LLPIN, it means it is not a company, but an LLP.

3️⃣ What Is PAN (Permanent Account Number)?

PAN is a tax identification number issued by the Income Tax Department.

Key Points About PAN:

Mandatory for almost all businesses and individuals
Used for income tax purposes
Required to open bank accounts and file returns

Example of PAN:

ABCDE1234F

Who Needs PAN?

✔ Individuals
✔ Companies
✔ LLPs
✔ Firms
✔ Trusts

👉 PAN is the financial identity of a person or business.

4️⃣ What Is GST (Goods and Services Tax Number)?

GSTIN is issued to businesses registered under the GST Act for tax collection.

Key Points About GST:

Mandatory only if business crosses turnover limit or does taxable supply
Issued by GST Department
Linked with PAN

Example of GSTIN:

07ABCDE1234F1Z5

Who Needs GST?

✔ Businesses selling taxable goods or services
✔ Online sellers
✔ Exporters / Importers

👉 GST is about tax collection, not company registration.

🔍 Difference Between CIN, LLPIN, PAN & GST (Comparison Table)

Basis	CIN	LLPIN	PAN	GSTIN
Issued By	RoC (MCA)	MCA	Income Tax Dept.	GST Dept.
For Whom	Companies	LLPs	All entities	GST-registered businesses
Purpose	Legal identity of company	Legal identity of LLP	Tax identification	Indirect tax
Mandatory	Yes for companies	Yes for LLPs	Yes for most	Only if applicable
Format	21 characters	7 characters	10 characters	15 characters

Can One Business Have All These Numbers?

Yes, depending on its structure.

Example:

A Private Limited Company may have:
✔ CIN (company identity)
✔ PAN (tax identity)
✔ GST (if taxable turnover exists)

An LLP may have:
✔ LLPIN
✔ PAN
✔ GST (if applicable)

Common Confusion Explained Simply

CIN ≠ PAN → CIN shows legal registration, PAN shows tax identity
LLPIN ≠ CIN → LLPIN is for LLPs, CIN is for companies
GST ≠ Company Registration → GST is tax-related, not legal formation

Why This Knowledge Matters for Common People

Understanding the difference helps you:
✔ Identify fake or unregistered businesses
✔ Verify employers and vendors
✔ Avoid fraud while investing or shopping online
✔ Run your own business correctly

Even before paying money to a company, checking CIN or LLPIN + PAN/GST is a smart move.