Quick answer: A Proprietorship or Partnership firm registered under GST needs a GST Signboard showing the firm name and GSTIN. A PVT. LTD., LLP or OPC needs the 3-In-1 Compliance Signboard, which shows the name, registered office address, CIN or LLPIN and GSTIN, in English and the local language, in one board.
Why is the Signboard different for firms and Companies?
A Company has to follow Section 12(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, which asks for its name and registered office address outside its office, with the CIN shown in practice. An LLP is registered under the LLP Act and carries an LLPIN, and most LLPs display the same details at their registered office so the board matches their filings and bank records. A Proprietorship or Partnership firm is not registered with the MCA at all, so it has no CIN or LLPIN to display. What applies to every GST-registered business, firm or Company, is Rule 18 of the CGST Rules: the GSTIN on the name board.
Side-by-side comparison
| GST Signboard | 3-In-1 Compliance Signboard | |
|---|---|---|
| For | Proprietorship & Partnership firms | PVT. LTD., LLP, OPC, Section 8 & Public Companies |
| Name in local language | Yes (largest line) | Yes (largest line) |
| Name in English | Yes | Yes |
| GSTIN | Yes (required) | Optional, if GST-registered |
| Registered office address | No | Yes, in English and local language |
| CIN / LLPIN | No | Yes |
| Contact, email, website | No | Yes |
| Size & material | 33 cm × 20 cm acrylic | 33 cm × 20 cm acrylic |
| Price | Rs.1,800/- (All Inclusive) | Rs.1,800/- (All Inclusive) |
Proprietorship firm
A Proprietorship is not a separate legal entity, so there is no CIN to display. Once registered under GST, the board needs the trade name and GSTIN. Many states also require the local language first on shop boards. Order the GST Signboard.
Partnership firm
A Partnership firm (registered under the Partnership Act or not) has no CIN either. Its GST Signboard shows the firm name and GSTIN. Order the GST Signboard. If the firm later converts into an LLP, it will need the 3-In-1 board with its LLPIN.
LLP
An LLP usually shows its name, registered office address and LLPIN, plus GSTIN if registered. Order the 3-In-1 Compliance Signboard. Read Things to Do After LLP Registration.
PVT. LTD. or OPC
A Company shows its name, registered office address and CIN, plus GSTIN if registered. The revised MGT-7 and MGT-7A also ask for a photo of the registered office with the name board visible. Order the 3-In-1 Compliance Signboard. Read Is a Registered Office Signboard Mandatory?
Frequently asked questions
Can a Proprietorship firm use the 3-In-1 Compliance Signboard?
It can, but it would leave the CIN line empty. The GST Signboard is designed for firms, with a bigger firm name and GSTIN that are easier to read.
Does a firm without GST registration need a GST Signboard?
The GST rule applies only after GST registration. A firm may still need a name board under its state's Shops and Establishments law, usually in the local language.
Which stamps does my firm need?
See Partnership Firm & Proprietorship Stamp Format and Rubber Stamps by Entity Type.
More on GST boards: GST Signboard for Proprietorship & Partnership Firms and GSTIN Format Explained.
This article is for general awareness and is not legal advice.