Business Licence · Maharashtra
Shop Act Licence Maharashtra 2020 (India, 2026)
If you run a shop, office, hotel, cafe or any commercial establishment in Maharashtra, you have probably been told you need a "Shop Act licence" or a "Gumasta". The rules changed a few years ago, so a lot of the advice online, including pages that still say "2020", is out of date. This guide explains the law that actually applies now, who must register, who only has to file a simple intimation, and how to do it online yourself.
- Law in force: the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, 2017, which replaced the 1948 Bombay Act. The common name is Gumasta.
- Fewer than 10 workers: usually only an online intimation is needed, not full registration.
- 10 or more workers: registration is required and the certificate must be displayed at the workplace.
- Apply online: through Aaple Sarkar (aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in) or the labour department portal; no office visit needed to file.
- Renewal: the certificate is valid for a chosen period and must be renewed online before it expires.
- Separate from tax: Shop Act is a labour registration, distinct from GST, Professional Tax and PAN.
01Which law applies now
In Maharashtra, shops and establishments are governed by the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, with its rules. This 2017 Act replaced the older Bombay Shops and Establishments Act, 1948. So a page describing a "Shop Act licence Maharashtra 2020" is really describing registration under this 2017 framework.
In everyday Marathi and Hindi, people call this the Gumasta licence. It is the same thing: proof that your establishment is registered with the state labour department. It is commonly asked for when you open a current account, apply for other licences, or register for GST.
Shop Act is not a tax registration
The Shop Act registration is a labour-law registration with the Maharashtra labour department. It is separate from GST, Professional Tax and your PAN. You may need several of these together when you start a business, but each is a different process.
02Who must register and who only intimates
The biggest change under the 2017 Act is the headcount rule. What you must do depends on how many workers you employ.
| Workers employed | What you must do | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 10 workers | File an intimation (notice) of commencement, not full registration | An acknowledgement of the intimation |
| 10 or more workers | Apply for registration | A registration certificate to display |
So a small shop run by the owner and a few helpers, below the 10-worker line, usually only needs to file an intimation online, not a full registration. An establishment with 10 or more workers must register and display the certificate at the workplace.
Count all workers, including part-time and contract staff, when you check which side of the line you fall on. If you are not sure how to count, this is one place where a quick professional check saves trouble later.
03Documents you will need
The exact list varies with the type of establishment, but you will generally keep these ready as scans:
- PAN of the proprietor, firm or company.
- Aadhaar or other identity and address proof of the applicant.
- Proof of the business premises, such as a rent agreement with the owner's consent, or an ownership document and a utility bill.
- A photo of the establishment and the owner.
- Details of the number of workers, and the date of commencement.
- For a firm or company, the partnership deed or incorporation documents.
For a partnership firm, you may also be asked for its registration papers; see our note on the certificate of registration of a partnership firm.
04How to apply online, step by step
Maharashtra runs this entirely online, so you do not need an agent to simply file. The main routes are the Aaple Sarkar services portal at aaplesarkar.mahaonline.gov.in and the labour department system at lms.mahaonline.gov.in.
- Create a user account on the portal and verify your mobile and email.
- Choose the labour department service for shops and establishments, and select registration or intimation based on your worker count.
- Fill the establishment details: name, address, nature of business, date of commencement and number of workers.
- Upload the scanned documents in the sizes and formats the portal asks for.
- Pay the fee online. The fee depends on the number of workers and the period you choose, as notified by the state.
- Submit and save the acknowledgement. Track the application until the certificate or acknowledgement is issued.
For a general walkthrough of applying online that is not state-specific, see how to apply for a Shop Act licence online.
05The certificate, fees and renewal
Once approved, establishments that must register receive a registration certificate that should be displayed at the workplace, often in Marathi and English. Smaller establishments that only intimate receive an acknowledgement instead.
Fees are set by the state and depend on the number of workers and, in some cases, the period you select. The certificate is issued for a chosen number of years and must be renewed before it expires. Renewal is also online, through the same portal, with a renewal fee as notified.
Keep the certificate current. An expired registration can create problems when a bank, landlord or another authority asks to see it. Changes such as a new address or a change in the number of workers usually need to be updated on the portal too.
06How Claw Tax helps
Claw Tax and Accounts is an online tax, GST and accounting service for India that connects you with a verified chartered accountant at a fixed, published price, with a Claw reviewer checking every filing before it is submitted.
The honest position first: for a small shop, filing the intimation yourself on the Maharashtra portal is straightforward and inexpensive, and you do not need to pay anyone to do it. Where people get stuck is counting workers correctly, choosing registration versus intimation, preparing documents in the right format, and keeping the renewal on time.
If you would rather have it done and reviewed, Claw Tax and Accounts can handle the Shop Act registration online at a fixed, published price, with a verified professional preparing the application and a Claw reviewer checking it before it goes in. You also get a reminder before the certificate is due for renewal, so it does not lapse.
This is a general guide, not legal or tax advice; the specifics for your establishment are confirmed by a verified professional.
07Frequently asked questions
Is the Shop Act licence the same as a Gumasta licence in Maharashtra?
Yes. "Gumasta" is the common Marathi and Hindi name for the registration under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act. It is proof that your shop or establishment is registered with the state labour department, and it is often asked for when opening a current account or applying for other licences.
Do I need to register if I run a small shop on my own?
Under the 2017 Act, establishments with fewer than 10 workers generally only need to file an intimation online, not a full registration. Establishments with 10 or more workers must register and display the certificate. Count part-time and contract staff when you check which side of the line you are on.
Can I apply for the Shop Act licence online myself?
Yes. Maharashtra runs the process online through the Aaple Sarkar portal and the labour department system. You create an account, fill the establishment details, upload documents, pay the fee and track the application. There is no need for an office visit just to file.
How much does the Shop Act registration cost in Maharashtra?
The fee is set by the state and depends on the number of workers and the period you choose, so it is best confirmed on the official portal at the time you apply. The amounts are modest for small establishments. Avoid quoting a fixed figure, since the notified slabs can change.
Does the Shop Act certificate need to be renewed?
Yes, for establishments that must register. The certificate is issued for a chosen number of years and must be renewed online before it expires, with a renewal fee as notified. Keeping it current matters because banks, landlords and other authorities may ask to see a valid certificate.
Is the Shop Act licence a tax registration?
No. It is a labour-law registration with the Maharashtra labour department and is separate from GST, Professional Tax and your PAN. When you start a business you may need several of these at once, but each is a different process with its own authority.