Advantages of the GST composition scheme: Section 10 of the Goods and Services Tax Act contains the provisions regarding the registration of taxpayers under the GST Composition Scheme. One of the basic objectives to introduce the GST composition scheme in India was to reduce the burden of tax compliance, especially for small-scale businesses, thereby easing their overall cost of operations. Almost all business owners, after the introduction of GST, have migrated from their previous tax regime to the GST tax regime. However, the problem for small taxpayers may not have enough resources or revenues to comply with all the procedures prescribed under GST.
Accordingly, the Government of India decided to introduce the GST Composition Scheme where a taxpayer whose annual turnover is less than Rs. 1.5 Crore can choose not to register as a regular GST taxpayer. Rather, he can choose to get enrolled as a Composition taxpayer so that he can pay taxes at a marginal rate as compared to a regular GST scheme. However, a composition taxpayer cannot issue a tax invoice and cannot claim for input tax credit as a result of opting for the same.
The following are a few conditions that must be fulfilled before opting for the GST composition scheme:
- The threshold limit to become eligible for GST registration under the GST Composition Scheme is 1.5 Crore. However, in case of North-Eastern and hilly states, the threshold limit is Rs.75 lakhs. This suggests that a taxpayer having an annual turnover less than or equal to the prescribed threshold can opt for composition scheme under GST.
- The GST composition scheme can be opted for only when all activities of the business are registered under a single PAN of the business.
- A taxpayer registered under the composition scheme must pay taxes on quarterly basis and also need to file returns in form GSTR-4 quarterly by the 18th of the first month of the next quarter.
- A taxpayer registered under the GST Composition Scheme is not eligible to issue a tax invoice.
- A taxpayer registered under the GST Composition Scheme also cannot claim the Input Tax Credit (ITC) on the purchase of goods
The following are some of the prominent reasons considering which a taxpayer must choose to get register under the composition scheme:
Lesser Compliance
Under the composition scheme, the taxpayer has to furnish returns quarterly and thus the taxpayer does not have to worry to keep record throughout the year. This enables the taxpayer to focus on his business activities rather than being worried about fulfilling the tax compliances.
Reduced/Lower Tax Liability
One of the major benefits of getting registered as a GST composition taxpayer is that the tax rates on which the taxes are to be paid are as marginal as 1%, 2%, 4%, and 6%.
Higher Liquidity available
Another major advantage of getting enrolled as a composition dealer is that there will be availability of higher funds for the business due to reduced cost burden owing to the lessened tax compliances. Compared to that, a regular taxpayer has to pay output tax on sales at the standard rate of 18%.
Level Playing Field
It is to be noted that if a taxpayer does not choose to register under the Composition Scheme of GST, it cannot be inferred that he has lost the competitive edge. As the profit margin of the dealer registered under a composition Scheme is less compared to a regular taxpayer.
Moreover, a Composition taxpayer can outplay the economy by offering goods and services at competitive prices to get a good hold in the local market as a supplier of goods.
With the above explanation, it can be concluded that the GST composition scheme will be a growth mechanism for small business owners who are engaged in intra-state sale of goods and services or in the import-exports of goods and services. In case the taxpayer is engaged in inter-state supply of goods, then the advantage of composition scheme cannot be availed and he has to get enrolled as a regular taxpayer under GST.
FAQ's
Q1: Can a person opt for a Composition Scheme while making a fresh or new registration under GST?
Yes. A person can opt for composition scheme while making a fresh or new registration under GST by filing form GST REG-01. It will be considered as intimation of payment of taxes under GST composition scheme.
Q2: Can an existing GST registered taxpayer opt for the payment under the composition scheme?
Yes. An existing GST registered taxpayer can opt for the payment under the composition scheme by giving intimation in electronic format in Form GST CMP-02 in the beginning of a financial year.
Q3: Can suppliers engaged in providing services opt for composition scheme?
No. A supplier engaged in providing services cannot opt for a composition scheme. However, there is an exception to the same, if a taxpayer is engaged in restaurant services then he can opt for the composition scheme.
Q4: What is the validity of registration under the GST composition Scheme?
The validity to pay taxes under the composition scheme would sustain so long as the conditions prescribed under Section 10 of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 and Rule 3 to 5 of the Central Goods and Services Tax rules, 2017 are being fulfilled.
Q5: Can a person registered under composition scheme supply goods to SEZ (Special Economic Zone)?
No. A person registered under composition scheme cannot supply goods to SEZ (Special Economic Zone). It is to be noted that supplies made to the SEZ are treated as inter-state supply, thus a dealer registered under composition scheme cannot make inter-state supplies and so as supplies to SEZ units.