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August 23, 2025

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Basics of GST

Composition Levy Scheme in GST: Everything You Need to Know

India adopted Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to revolutionize its complete indirect tax infrastructure. Smaller businesses find it challenging to meet GST requirements, while the uniform and transparent tax structure has been established by GST. Small taxpayers received tax relief through the GST Composition Levy Scheme established by the government.

An evaluation of the GST Composition Levy Scheme examines its advantages together with qualification standards as well as recent modifications and taxpayer restrictions imposed for both taxpayers and company officials.

What is the Composition Levy Scheme?

The GST allows small-scale businesses to use Composition Levy as a simplified tax system. Taxpayers utilizing the scheme must calculate taxes based on their determined turnover rate, which differs from general GST rates at every quarterly return filing period. Small businesses enrol in the simplified tax scheme, enabling them to concentrate mainly on their core activities instead of tax procedures.

Key Objectives of the Composition Scheme:

To simplify the GST compliance process for small businesses

To reduce the compliance cost and administrative burden

To promote ease of doing business

Eligibility Criteria for Composition Scheme

To avail of the benefits of the Composition Scheme, a taxpayer must meet the following eligibility requirements:‍

Aggregate Turnover:

For manufacturers and traders: Aggregate turnover should not exceed Rs. 1.5 crore in the preceding financial year (Rs. 75 lakh for special category states).

For service providers: Eligible if the aggregate turnover does not exceed Rs. 50 lakh.

Business Type:

Manufacturers of goods (except notified goods)

Traders and retailers

Service providers (including mixed suppliers) under the new Composition Scheme for Services (effective from January 1, 2019)

Non-Eligibility Conditions:

Businesses engaged in interstate outward supplies

Suppliers of non-taxable goods

Casual taxable persons and non-resident taxable persons

Businesses dealing in goods through e-commerce operators are required to collect TCS

Tax Rates under Composition Scheme

The tax rates applicable under the Composition Scheme are significantly lower than regular GST rates and are as follows:

Category	GST Rate under Composition Scheme
Manufacturers	1% (0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST)
Traders/Suppliers of goods	1% (0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST)
Restaurants (not serving alcohol)	5% (2.5% CGST + 2.5% SGST)
Service Providers (from Jan 2019)	6% (3% CGST + 3% SGST)

Benefits of the Composition Levy Scheme

Lower Tax Liability: Businesses pay tax at a nominal rate compared to regular GST rates.

Simplified Returns: Filing of quarterly returns (GSTR-4) instead of monthly.

Reduced Compliance: Lesser documentation and no need for invoice-wise record-keeping.

Better Focus on Business: Entrepreneurs can focus more on business operations without worrying about complex GST filings.

Limitations and Conditions of the Composition Scheme

While the Composition Scheme offers numerous benefits, it comes with certain limitations:

No Input Tax Credit (ITC): Composition dealers cannot claim ITC on purchases.

Restricted Business Operations: No interstate supply of goods or services is allowed.

Invoice Restrictions: Dealers must issue a ‘Bill of Supply’ instead of a tax invoice.‍

Tax on Entire Turnover: Tax is to be paid on the entire turnover, including exempt goods/services.

Display Requirement: A composition dealer must display the words “Composition Taxable Person” on the signboard and invoices.

Compliance Requirements for Composition Dealers

Returns Filing:

Quarterly: CMP-08 (payment of self-assessed tax)

Annual: GSTR-4

Record Maintenance: Though less rigorous, records of inward and outward supplies must be maintained.

GST Payment: Payment of tax quarterly via CMP-08.

Display of Status: Must display "Composition Taxable Person" at the place of business.

Switching In and Out of the Composition Scheme

Opting In:

File Form GST CMP-02 before the beginning of the financial year.

File ITC-03 within 60 days to reverse ITC.

Opting Out:

File Form GST CMP-04 within 7 days of becoming ineligible.

Start charging normal GST and file regular returns (GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B).

Recent Updates and Amendments

Increased Turnover Limits: The threshold limits have been increased over time to bring more taxpayers under the scheme.

Inclusion of Services: Since January 2019, certain service providers have been allowed under the scheme with a turnover cap of Rs. 50 lakh.

Online Filing Ease: GSTN has streamlined the online filing process for CMP-08 and GSTR-4.

Conclusion

The Composition Levy Scheme within GST serves as an advantageous system for small businesses to use a simplified taxation framework. The Composition Levy Scheme provides numerous advantages which exceed its restrictions for eligible customers. Knowledge of the scheme's particular features helps businesses act wisely when making decisions while promoting better tax compliance.

Dynamic businesses that fall under specified thresholds and types should adopt the Composition Scheme to experience reduced taxation challenges and operational improvements.

Also read Section 54 of Income Tax Act: Capital Gain Exemptions

FAQs

1. Who can opt for the GST Composition Scheme in 2024?‍

Businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 1.5 crore (Rs. 75 lakh for special category states) and certain service providers with turnover up to Rs. 50 lakh can opt for the scheme, subject to eligibility conditions.

2. Is interstate supply allowed under the Composition Scheme?‍

No, businesses registered under the Composition Scheme are not allowed to make interstate outward supplies of goods or services.

3. What is the tax rate for service providers under the Composition Scheme?‍

The service providers registered to the Composition Scheme pay 6% in taxes that are split evenly between 3% of CGST and 3% of SGST.

4. Can Composition Scheme dealers collect GST from customers?‍

Under this scheme, dealers cannot charge GST to customers due so they need to give a Bill of Supply rather than a tax invoice.

5. What happens if a Composition Scheme dealer's turnover exceeds the limit?

‍Once turnover surpasses the threshold during the fiscal year, the dealer needs to change to regular GST procedure and start normal tax compliance beginning from that day.

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