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June 16, 2025

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GST Composition Scheme: Benefits, Eligibility & Key Details

GST Composition Scheme and Presumptive Taxation: Benefits, Eligibility, and Key Details

In India's tax structure, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has made indirect taxation straightforward to a great extent. It might be complex, laborious, and costly for small businesses and professionals, however, to accommodate the standard GST regime. To make this simpler, the GST Composition Scheme and Presumptive Taxation scheme under Income Tax came into being. Both the schemes are aimed at lowering compliance load, simplifying tax payments, and encouraging voluntary registration of small taxpayers. Let's learn about these schemes, their eligibility criteria, pros & cons, and key points in depth.

Knowing the GST Composition Scheme

The GST Composition Scheme is a simplified scheme of tax under the GST law for small taxpayers. Under the scheme, qualifying businesses can pay tax in fixed percentages of their turnover, rather than the normal GST rates that apply to big businesses. It minimizes compliance costs, documentation, and procedural issues. Such businesses have to:

1. File fewer returns

2. Hold fewer records

3. Pay lesser tax rates than regular GST taxpayers

They cannot claim input tax credit (ITC) on their purchases and also cannot issue tax invoices invoicing GST to customers. This simplifies compliance but denies certain advantages available for regular taxpayers.

Eligibility Criteria for GST Composition Scheme

All traders and manufacturers do not have the option to take the GST Composition Scheme. The conditions of eligibility are:

1. Enterprises with turnover up to Rs. 1.5 crore (Rs. 75 lakh for some special category states) can avail of the scheme.

2. Only manufacturers (other than those manufacturing ice cream, pan masala, or tobacco), traders, and restaurants (which don't serve liquor) are qualified.

3. Service providers (except restaurant services) were previously excluded, but now service providers with turnover up to Rs. 50 lakh may choose under a special composition scheme.

4. Outward supply from one state to another is prohibited under this scheme. Companies dealing in exports or selling in another state are not eligible to choose the scheme.

5. E-commerce operators and companies supplying goods through e-commerce operators are also not permitted.

6. The major attraction of this scheme is minimized GST compliance burden, which appeals to numerous shopkeepers and small companies.

Presumptive Taxation under Income Tax Act

Presumptive Taxation is a repose presuming that under Sections 44AD, 44ADA, and 44AE of the Income Tax Act, 1961. The program allows the taxpayers eligible to report income at a predetermined rate of turnover, dispelling the need to maintain elaborate books of accounts or undergo audits.

Important sections of Presumptive Taxation:

1. Section 44AD: For eligible enterprises with turnover between Rs. 2 crore to Rs. 2 crore. 8% of turnover as income (6% if digital transaction is used).

2. Section 44ADA: For professionals such as doctors, advocates, architects, engineers, and accountants having gross receipts not exceeding Rs. 50 lakh. 50% of receipts are deemed to be income.

3. Section 44AE: In respect of transporters having a maximum of 10 goods vehicles. A fixed income per vehicle is assumed and charged accordingly.

The prime aim is to simplify tax compliance by small businesses and professionals so that tax payment can be done without any hassle and complication.

Discussion on GST Composition Scheme and Presumptive Taxation

Both Presumptive Taxation and the GST Composition Scheme have one similar objective: relieving tax compliance burdens. Where the GST Composition Scheme makes indirect tax compliance under the GST law simple, Presumptive Taxation makes direct tax compliance under the Income Tax Act simple.

Key distinctions:

1. The GST Composition Scheme is only applicable under GST for businesses dealing in goods, services, or both, while Presumptive Taxation is a facility available under income tax for both businesses and professionals.

2. Many small businesses prefer to use both schemes together to simplify their overall tax compliance.

3. Both the schemes are turnover-based. Companies have to monitor turnover figures throughout the year to remain eligible.

4. The GST Composition Scheme prevents companies from levying GST on their bills, whereas presumptive taxation restricts companies from claiming actual expenses.

5. These schemes minimize paperwork and compliance, but are not always cost-effective for companies with high input expenses or professional costs.

Benefits of GST Composition Scheme and Presumptive Taxation

Easy Compliance

Both schemes significantly reduce compliance requirements under the law.

1. Under the GST Composition Scheme, taxpayers are required to file quarterly returns (CMP-08) and annual return, but not monthly returns.

2. Presumptive taxation reduces bookkeeping of accounts, auditing, and filing complex tax returns.

Lower Tax Rates

The rates of taxation under the GST Composition Scheme are:

1. 1% for traders (0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST)

2. 2% for manufacturers (1% CGST + 1% SGST)

3. 5% for restaurant services (2.5% CGST + 2.5% SGST)

Taxpayers are charged tax in presumptive taxation on a prescribed amount of turnover, usually below the actual profit, particularly for businesses with compressed

margins or low-scale operations.

Reduced Administrative Expenses

1. Cost savings on employing accountants, tax consultants, and accounting software

2. Lesser records, returns, and reports reduce the administrative burden

Improved Focus on Core Business

1. Business owners can focus on growth and customer satisfaction

2. Predictable tax obligations ease mental load

Promotion of Formalization

1. Simplified compliance encourages small businesses to register

2. Enables better access to loans, credit, and government schemes

Disadvantages and Challenges

No Input Tax Credit

1. GST is paid on business expenses, but no credit can be claimed

2. This increases cost, especially for goods or services with high GST rates

Limited Eligibility

1. Businesses exceeding turnover limits or involved in interstate supply are ineligible

2. Professionals or businesses earning above set limits cannot opt for presumptive tax

Limitation of Invoicing

1. Composition scheme traders cannot issue proper GST invoices

2. B2B clients may avoid buying from them due to lack of input credit opportunity

Presumptive Income Greater than Gross Profit

1. Presumptive income is fixed, even if actual income is lower

2. This results in higher tax for businesses with thin margins

Conclusion

The GST Composition Scheme and Presumptive Taxation are providing a relief badly needed by small businesses and professionals who are under compliance burden. They streamline processes, lower tax rates, and minimize record-keeping.

Nevertheless, their shortcomings in the areas of eligibility, input tax credit limitations, and fixed tax burden need to be weighed carefully. For qualifying taxpayers who value simplicity and lower compliance over claiming comprehensive deductions, these schemes provide a strategic route towards simpler business processes and financial handling.

FAQs

1. Can I choose both GST Composition Scheme and Presumptive Taxation simultaneously?

Yes, if your business is eligible under both schemes, you can choose the GST Composition Scheme for indirect taxes and Presumptive Taxation for income tax simultaneously.

2. Can I change from the GST Composition Scheme to the normal GST scheme?

Yes, you can shift back to the normal GST scheme voluntarily at the start of any financial year or mandatorily if your turnover crosses the specified threshold.

3. Can e-commerce vendors opt for the Composition Scheme under GST?

No, entities supplying goods via e-commerce portals cannot opt for the Composition Scheme under GST.

4. Do I have to keep elaborate books under Presumptive Taxation?

No, under presumptive taxation, selected taxpayers are exempt from keeping accounts or undergoing auditing, which saves compliance effort.

5. Will availing GST Composition Scheme limit my potential to sell outside my state?

Yes, the GST Composition Scheme has a requirement that you may not make outward supplies in the inter-state. In case your business entails inter-state sales, then you cannot avail the scheme.