GST services - registration to returns, end to end

GST (Goods and Services Tax) is a unified indirect tax on the supply of goods and services introduced on 1 July 2017. Businesses with turnover above ₹40 lakh (₹20 lakh for special category states) must register. E-commerce sellers, inter-state suppliers, and casual taxable persons must register regardless of turnover.

The threshold for GST registration is ₹40 lakh per annum for businesses in most states and ₹20 lakh for special category states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Manipur). E-commerce sellers and inter-state suppliers must register regardless of turnover.

GST registration typically takes 3-7 working days after submitting a complete application on the GST portal. An ARN (Application Reference Number) is generated within 15 minutes of filing. If the GST officer requires clarification, the process may take up to 15 working days.

GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number) is a 15-digit alphanumeric unique identifier assigned to every GST-registered taxpayer. The format is: first two digits = state code, next ten = PAN number, thirteenth = entity number, fourteenth = default 'Z', fifteenth = check digit.

The main returns are: GSTR-1 (outward supplies - due 10th), GSTR-3B (monthly summary with payment - due 20th), GSTR-9 (annual return - due 31 December), and GSTR-9C (annual reconciliation with CA audit for turnover above ₹5 crore). Under QRMP scheme, GSTR-1 is filed quarterly with a monthly IFF for B2B invoices.

Input Tax Credit (ITC) is the credit available to a registered person for the GST paid on inputs (purchases) used in the course of business. ITC reduces your tax liability by the amount of GST you paid on purchases. For example, if you paid ₹10,000 GST on purchases and collected ₹15,000 GST on sales, your net liability is ₹5,000 after claiming ITC.

GSTR-2A is a dynamic, auto-drafted statement of input tax credit available to a taxpayer based on supplies reported by their suppliers in GSTR-1. GSTR-2B is a static statement generated on the 14th of every month for monthly filers and on the GST portal. Both are critical for ITC reconciliation before filing GSTR-3B.

E-invoicing (Electronic Invoice) mandates that businesses above a specified turnover threshold generate B2B invoices through the Invoice Registration Portal (IRP). Each invoice gets a unique Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and QR code. The threshold is ₹5 lakh in most states and varies up to ₹10 crore in some states. It is mandatory for all B2B, export, and SEZ invoices.

E-way bill (Electronic Way Bill) is a document required for the movement of goods worth more than ₹50,000. It is generated on the e-way bill portal (ewaybillgst.gov.in) by the consignor or transporter. The bill contains details of the goods, consignor, consignee, and transporter. It is valid for a specific distance and time period.

The Composition Scheme (Section 10, CGST Act) is a simplified scheme for small businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore (₹75 lakh for special states). Taxpayers pay a flat tax rate (1% for manufacturers, 2% for restaurants, 0.5% for others) instead of regular rates. They cannot collect GST from customers or claim input tax credit.

For GSTR-3B, the late fee is ₹50 per day (₹20 per day for nil returns) for CGST and ₹50 per day (₹20 for nil returns) for SGST. Maximum late fee for GSTR-3B is ₹10,000 each for CGST and SGST. For GSTR-1, the late fee is ₹50 per day (₹20 for nil) for both CGST and SGST, with no maximum cap.

QRMP (Quarterly Return Monthly Payment) is a scheme for GST taxpayers with turnover up to ₹5 crore. Under QRMP, GSTR-1 is filed quarterly (due 10th of the next quarter) while GSTR-3B is filed monthly (due 20th). Tax payments are made monthly even though the return is quarterly. An Invoice Furnishing Facility (IFF) allows monthly filing of B2B invoices in the quarterly period.

Yes, you can file GST returns yourself on the official GST portal (www.gstn.org) for free. However, GST return filing involves invoice data collection, GSTR-2A/2B reconciliation, ITC calculation, and e-way bill management. Most businesses find it time-consuming and prefer to use a GST practitioner to ensure accuracy and save time.

A GST notice is an official communication from the GST department seeking clarification, information, or response on a particular matter. Common types include GSTN scrutiny notices, Show Cause Notices (SCN), and demand orders. You must respond within the stipulated time (usually 15-30 days). Our GST practitioners analyse the notice, prepare a detailed reply with supporting documents, and file it on the GST portal.

GST deregistration is done by filing Form GST REG-14 on the GST portal. Common reasons for deregistration include turnover falling below the threshold, business closure, transfer of business as a going concern, or voluntary cancellation. The tax officer may issue an order within 30 days. We handle the deregistration process including final return (GSTR-10) and submission of all pending returns.

GSTR-9 is the annual GST return that every regular taxpayer must file for each financial year. It consolidates all monthly/quarterly returns filed during the year. The due date is 31 December of the following financial year. GSTR-9C is the annual reconciliation statement that must be audited by a Chartered Accountant for taxpayers with turnover above ₹5 crore.