GST: Option To Pay Tax Under Composition Scheme

India implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1, 2017. GST is a comprehensive tax system that has replaced numerous other taxes such as service tax, value-added tax (VAT), central excise duty, and other indirect taxes collected by the state and central governments. GST has made it easier for businesses to operate by simplifying the tax structure.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had a significant impact on the Indian economy, contributing to employment and overall economic growth. However, these SMEs face a multitude of challenges, such as high compliance costs, low margins, and lack of access to credit. To ease some of these challenges, the government introduced the Composition Scheme under GST.

What is the Composition Scheme?

The Composition Scheme is an alternative method of tax payment available to businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 1.5 crores. Under this scheme, businesses are required to pay only a fixed percentage of their turnover as tax. In return, they are not allowed to claim input tax credit, and they cannot issue taxable invoices. The aim of this scheme is to simplify the tax compliance process for small businesses.

Businesses can choose to opt for the Composition Scheme at the beginning of each financial year. Once they have opted for the scheme, they are required to pay tax under it for the entire financial year. If they happen to cross the annual turnover threshold of Rs. 1.5 crores during the year, they must switch to the regular tax payment system within 30 days.

Benefits of the Composition Scheme

The Composition Scheme eases the compliance burden on small businesses. By paying a fixed percentage of their turnover as tax, businesses can avoid the complex GST return filing process. They also do not need to maintain detailed records of their purchases and sales as they are not allowed to claim input tax credit.

The Composition Scheme also results in a lower tax liability for small businesses. The tax rate under the scheme is lower than the tax rate for regular taxpayers. The fixed percentage tax rate also ensures that tax liability does not increase with increasing turnover.

Drawbacks of the Composition Scheme

The Composition Scheme has some drawbacks that businesses must consider before opting for it. The most significant drawback is that businesses under the scheme cannot claim input tax credit. This means that they cannot reduce their tax liability by offsetting the tax paid on their purchases against the tax collected on their sales. This can result in higher costs for businesses.

Another disadvantage of the scheme is that businesses cannot issue taxable invoices. This means that they cannot sell their products or services to other GST registered businesses. This limits their customer base and can negatively impact their sales.

Conclusion

The Composition Scheme is an alternative method of tax payment available to small businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs. 1.5 crores. The scheme eases the compliance burden on small businesses and results in a lower tax liability. However, businesses must consider the drawbacks of the scheme, such as the inability to claim input tax credit and limitations on customer base, before opting for it. Overall, the Composition Scheme is an excellent option for small businesses looking to simplify their tax compliance process.