What is the GST Composition Scheme?

While small businesses are the cornerstone of India's economic landscape, navigating the complexities of tax compliance can pose a significant challenge. Recognizing this hurdle, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime offers a simplified solution through the GST Composition Scheme. This article explains the details of this scheme, providing insights into its definition, features, benefits, and operational mechanics.

What is the GST Composition Scheme?

The composition scheme under GST is a voluntary option available to eligible taxpayers with an annual turnover below a specified limit. Under this scheme, businesses pay a fixed tax rate on their turnover instead of the regular GST rates applicable on individual sales and purchases. This simplified approach reduces compliance burden and administrative costs for small businesses.

The composition scheme in GST is defined as an alternative method of tax levy designed specifically for small taxpayers. It allows them to pay a pre-determined percentage of their turnover as GST liability instead of calculating tax on individual transactions.

Features of GST Composition Scheme

Simplified Tax Compliance:

• Reduced Record-keeping: Under the regular GST scheme, businesses need to maintain detailed records of every sale and purchase, including the applicable tax rates. The composition scheme eliminates this requirement, significantly reducing the time and effort required for record-keeping.
• No Complex Calculations: Calculating tax for each individual transaction under the regular scheme can be cumbersome, especially for businesses with a high volume of sales and purchases. The composition scheme simplifies this process by applying a fixed tax rate to the total turnover, eliminating the need for intricate tax calculations.

Fixed Tax Rates:

• Predictable Tax Liability: Instead of grappling with varying tax rates based on different product categories, businesses under the composition scheme pay a pre-determined percentage of their overall turnover as GST. This predictability simplifies budgeting and cash flow management.
• Lower Tax Rates: In many cases, the fixed tax rates under the composition scheme are lower than the combined rates applicable under the regular scheme. This can allow businesses for potential tax savings.

Reduced Compliance Burden:

• Fewer Returns: Composition taxpayers file only one quarterly return (CMP-08) and one annual return (GSTR-9A). This is a significant reduction compared to the multiple returns (GSTR-1, GSTR-2, GSTR-3B, and GSTR-9) required under the regular scheme, minimizing the administrative burden associated with GST compliance.
• Simpler Filing Process: The composition scheme returns are generally shorter and less complex compared to those under the regular scheme, further streamlining the filing process.

No Input Tax Credit (ITC) Claim:

• Limited Cost Savings: Businesses under the composition scheme can't use the GST they pay on purchases to reduce their tax liability on sales. They can't offset taxes paid on purchases against taxes owed on sales. This might affect cost savings, especially for businesses buying a lot from suppliers under the regular GST scheme.

Benefits of GST Composition Scheme

Ease of Operation:

• Reduced Complexity: The composition scheme streamlines GST compliance by eliminating the need for intricate calculations and detailed record-keeping of individual sales and purchases. This allows small businesses to concentrate on resources and on core business activities rather than getting involved in complex tax procedures.
• Simpler Filing: Instead of the multiple returns required under the regular GST scheme, composition taxpayers file only one quarterly return and one annual return. Thus making it easier for small businesses to manage their GST obligations.
• Straightforward Calculations: The fixed tax rate applied to turnover simplifies tax calculations. Businesses know exactly what their GST liability will be, eliminating the need to calculate tax on each transaction with varying rates.

Reduced Administrative Costs:

• Less Time Spent on Compliance: With simplified procedures and fewer returns, businesses under the composition scheme spend less time and resources on GST compliance. This translates to cost savings in terms of accounting and bookkeeping expenses.
• Lower Professional Fees: The reduced complexity of the scheme may also lead to lower professional fees for accounting and tax services compared to the regular GST regime.

Improved Cash Flow:

• Predictable Tax Liability: Knowing the fixed tax rate beforehand allows businesses to accurately forecast their GST liability, facilitating better cash flow management. This can be crucial for small businesses that often operate with limited financial resources.
• Faster Tax Payment Cycle: The quarterly filing system under the composition scheme allows for quicker GST payment compared to the monthly filing required under the regular scheme. This can potentially improve cash flow by reducing the amount of tax outstanding at any given time.

Simplified Record-keeping:

• Less Detailed Records: Unlike the regular scheme, which demands detailed records of every sale and purchase with applicable tax rates, the composition scheme requires less comprehensive record-keeping. This minimizes the administrative burden associated with maintaining extensive financial records.

Types of GST Composition Scheme

There are different composition schemes based on the type of business activity:

Manufacturers and Traders:

• Tax Rate: The tax rate for manufacturers and traders under the composition scheme typically ranges from 1% to 6% of their total turnover. This rate is further divided equally between Central GST (CGST) and State GST (SGST).
• 1% Rate: This rate generally applies to most manufacturers and traders eligible for the scheme.
• 2% Rate: Certain specific types of manufacturers may be subject to a 2% tax rate under the composition scheme.

2. Restaurants:

• Tax Rate: Restaurants not serving alcoholic beverages typically have a fixed tax rate of 5% of their total turnover under the composition scheme. This rate is also split equally between CGST and SGST.

Important Points:

• Turnover Limits: It's crucial to remember that the eligibility for the composition scheme is based on the annual turnover of the business. The current limit for opting into this scheme is Rs. 1.5 crore.
• Specific Exclusions: Some businesses are not eligible for the composition scheme on GST, such as manufacturers of ice cream, pan masala, or tobacco products, businesses making inter-state supplies, and those supplying goods through e-commerce operators.

How does it Works?

The process of availing the GST composition scheme involves the following steps:

1. Eligibility Check: Businesses need to ensure their annual turnover falls within the specified limit (currently Rs. 1.5 crore).

2. Opting for the Scheme: An application needs to be filed electronically before the commencement of the financial year.

3. Quarterly Returns: Quarterly returns (CMP-08) must be filed within the specified deadlines.

4. Annual Return: One annual return (GSTR-9A) needs to be filed after the financial year.

5. Tax Payment: Tax liability based on the fixed rate and turnover needs to be paid within the prescribed due dates.

Conclusion

The GST composition scheme offers a valuable option for small businesses in India. By simplifying tax compliance and reducing administrative burdens, it encourages their participation in the formal economy. However, it is important to carefully analyze their eligibility and the implications of limited input tax credit before opting for this scheme.

FAQs

Q1. What is the GST composition scheme?

Ans. The GST composition scheme is a simplified way for small businesses with annual turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore to pay GST. Instead of calculating tax on each sale and purchase, they pay a fixed percentage of their total turnover as GST.

Q2. Who can opt for the composition scheme?

Ans. Businesses that primarily manufacture or trade goods, restaurants not serving alcohol, and certain service providers with a turnover below Rs. 1.5 crore can choose this scheme. Inter-state suppliers and businesses involved in specific activities are not eligible.

Q3. What are the drawbacks of the composition scheme?

• No input tax credit: Businesses cannot claim tax paid on purchases, potentially impacting cost savings.
• Fixed tax rates may not always be advantageous: Depending on profit margins, the fixed rate might be higher than the combined tax rate under the regular scheme.

Q4. How often do I need to file returns under the composition scheme?

Ans. Composition taxpayers need to file only one quarterly return (CMP-08) and one annual return (GSTR-9A).