Composition Scheme Under India GST

The most important aspect of the Indian economy is the introduction of Goods and Service Tax(GST), launched on July 1, 2017. GST has subsumed more than 17 taxes under one bracket to make the taxation system easy in the country.

The new tax regime brings in a new set of compliances followed by manufacturers and traders. However, it was a back-breaking task for the start-ups or SMEs to comply with its provisions. Therefore, to lower the stress of these sectors, the government decided to introduce the Composition Scheme under the GST Act.

In this article:

What is the GST Composition Scheme?
Who is Eligible for the GST Composition Scheme?
Who is not Eligible for Composition Under GST?
The Tax Rate Applicable to a Composition Taxable person
How a Composite Dealer can be Distinguished from a Normal Taxpayer?
GST Composition Scheme Rules
Different Forms for the GST Composition Scheme
Composition Scheme Under GST: Filing of Returns
Composition Scheme Billing
What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Composition Scheme?
Online Procedure to Apply for Composition Scheme under GST Act
How does the Composition Scheme Apply to Deskera Users?
Conclusion

What is the GST Composition Scheme?

In India, to reduce the compliance burden for small businesses, the GST composition scheme was introduced. Based on the business turnover, any person who has opted for this scheme will pay taxes at a prescribed rate. Such a system will make sure greater compliance, with less detailed tax record maintenance.

For instance, the regular taxpayer has to submit three monthly returns (GST-1, GST-2, and GST-3), and one annual return(GST-9). But in case you have applied for a composition scheme under GST, filing gets more manageable, as you need to file one quarterly return(GSTR-4) and one annual return(GSTR - 9A).

Under GST, after registering for the composition scheme, you will be eligible to pay tax at a fixed rate of 1% - 6% of your total turnover. So, for example, if you are a manufacturer of ice cream, tobacco, or pan-masala, you are liable to pay 1 % tax based on your turnover, thanks to the composition scheme.

Who is Eligible for the GST Composition Scheme?

Following are the eligibility criteria for any taxpayer to opt for registration under the composition scheme,

The taxpayer shall be registered under the Composition Act;
A taxpayer whose turnover is less than Rs. 1.5 crore (CBIC has notified the increase to the threshold limit from Rs 1.0 Crore to Rs. 1.5 Crores).

NOTE: If more than one taxable person is registered on the same PAN number, then the compensation scheme can be availed by only one if all of such taxable persons will avail the same.

Who is not Eligible for Composition Under GST?

It’s simply that the ones who don’t match the criteria mentioned above are not eligible for a composition scheme under GST. Going in detail, the following are the persons who cannot and in anyhow opt for the GST composition scheme.

Service providers (other than the person engaged in the supply of food and drinks i.e., restaurant services).
Producer of pan masala, or tobacco, ice cream.
A non-resident taxable person, Casual taxable person.

The Tax Rate Applicable to a Composition Taxable person

In Goods and Service Tax, for different suppliers, varied composition rates have been prescribed. The following are the tax rates under the composition scheme as amended by Notification Number 1/2018 – Central tax

How a Composite Dealer can be Distinguished from a Normal Taxpayer?

When compared with the normal taxpayer, a composite supplier has a different and reduced set of compliances. Below listed are the same for better understanding.

	Composite Supplier	Normal Supplier
Rate of GST	A lower tax rate up to the maximum of 5% has been prescribed.	A higher rate of tax up to 28% has been notified in this case.
Input Tax Credit	Cannot take benefit of ITC on inward supply (purchases)	ITC can be availed to set off the output tax liability
Pass on the credit and incidence of the tax	The composite supplier cannot pass on the credit of tax to the recipient.	The normal taxpayer can pass on the credit as well as the incidence of taxes payable onto the recipient
Annual Return	An annual summary of the transaction is to be filed in form GSTR 9A	An annual summary of the transaction is to be filed in form GSTR 9
Monthly / Quarterly Returns	One quarterly return i.e. GSTR 4 needs to be filed by the composition taxpayer	Three monthly returns need to be filed by a normal supplier namely GSTR 1, GSTR 2 & GSTR 3/ 3B
Inter-State Supply	Cannot make interstate supply	Can make interstate supply without restrictions.

GST Composition Scheme Rules

Under the GST act provisions, a range of businesses in the service and manufacturing sectors, including traders and restaurants, will register under the composition scheme. However, the following are the persons/entities where the GST composition scheme is not applicable:

Different Forms for the GST Composition Scheme

Following are the different forms for the GST Composition Scheme:

Form No	Particulars	Due Date
GST CMP-01	To opt into Composition Scheme by Provisional GST Registration Holder.	Within 30 days from the date of appointment
GST CMP-02	To opt into GST Composition Scheme by the unregistered persons.	Before the Commencement of Financial Year.
GST CMP-03	Information regarding the stock/ inward supply from the unregistered person/ business.	Within 90 days from the date of exercising the option.
GST CMP-04	Application for the withdrawal from the GST Composition Scheme.	Within seven days from the date of the happening of the event
GST CMP-05	Issuance of Show Cause Notice by the Proper Officer	On any contravention
GST CMP-06	Reply to the Show Cause notice issued by the proper officer	Within 15 days from the receipt of notice
GST CMP-07	Order for the Acceptance or Rejection of the Reply filed to the Proper Officer.	Within 30 days from the filing of the notice
GST REG- 01	Registration under the GST Composition Scheme	Before the appointed date
GST ITC-01	Details regarding the semi-finished, finished, and stocks	Within 30 days of the withdrawal from the GST Composition Scheme
GST ITC-03	Intimation about the Input Tax Credit	Within 60 days from the beginning of the Financial Year.

Composition Scheme Under GST: Filing of Returns

Form CMP-08- For quarterly filing return after the quarter-end
Form GSTR- 4 – Annual filing of GST return

GSTR-4 is a form of GST Return that needs to be filed by a composition dealer. Generally, a regular taxpayer needs to submit three monthly returns; however, a dealer who has opted for the composition scheme must submit one return, the GSTR-4 form, once a year by 30th April, following the financial year.

Composition Scheme Billing

As per the composition scheme rules, a dealer cannot issue goods and service tax invoices, as the tax liability is on a taxpayer.
As per the Composition Scheme rule under GST, a dealer needs to issue a bill of supply. Every bill must mention “composition taxable person, ineligible to receive tax on supplies.”

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the Composition Scheme?

Advantaged of Composition Scheme	Disadvantages of Composition Scheme
Lesser conformity	The dealer is restricted from carrying out inter-state transactions
Limited tax liability	No Input Tax Credit available to composition dealers
High liquidity as taxes are at a lower rate	The taxpayer will not be eligible to supply non-taxable goods under GST consisting of alcohol and goods through an e-commerce portal.

Online Procedure to Apply for Composition Scheme under GST Act

Under GST, below are the steps involved to apply for the Composition Scheme.

Step 1: Visit Official GST Portal on https://www.gst.gov.in/;

Step 2: Services: On the homepage, click on the “Service” tab. This application procedure includes two parts;

New Registration;
TRN (Temporary Reference Number)

Step 3: New Registration: Choose “New Registration” option;

Step 4 :Details: Fill in the below details;

Type of Taxpayer;
District and State for which the Composition Scheme registration is needed;
Business Name;
PAN Card particulars of the Business or Proprietor;
Mobile Number and E-mail Address of the Primary Authorised Signatory;

Step 5: One Time Password: Next enter the OTP received on the registered e-mail address and mobile number;

Step 6: Enter OTP: Enter the given OTP and Captcha. Thereafter click on the “Proceed” button;

Step 7: Login on GST Portal: Enter the username and password, together with the Captcha in the required place and thereafter click on the “Login” option;

Step 8: Application for Composition Scheme under GST Act: After login into the account, select “Application to opt for Composition Scheme under GST Act”. The applicant can select the same from the “Registration Menu” provided under the “Service” tab on the home page.

Step 9: Review Details Provided: After selecting you will be redirected to the application page. On the form the following details of the applicant will be listed:

GSTIN (Goods and Service Tax Identification Number);
Business Name;
Trade Name;
Address of the Registered Office;
Nature of the Business;
Jurisdiction.

Step 10: Composition Declaration: After all the information provided is checked, tick the Composition Declaration Box given at the end of the application form.

Step 11: Verification Process: After ticking the composition declaration, the applicant needs to check the box of the Verification Process. This box is given just below the Composition Declaration.

Step 12: Other Details: Once the Verification is completed, from the drop-down menu select the Authorized Signatory and also mention the place of filing the application. Now, click on the “Save” button to save the details provided,

Step 13: Submit the Application Form: After saving the form, the “Submit” option gets activated. Further, the you need to sign the application form. You can either sign it by using DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) or by EVC option.

Step 14: Submit Form after Signing: Lastly, click on the “Submit” option after signing the form.

How does the Composition Scheme Apply to Deskera Users?

When Deskera users are creating their organization in the Deskera Books software, you will come across this section:

Users are allowed to tick more than one checkboxes, for any fields that apply to them. Once they tick the checkbox that they are registered for Composition Scheme, they will have to select the category of their businesses:

1% - For Traders and Manufacturers
2% - For Manufacturers: GSTIN has lowered the rate for manufacturers to 1%
5% - For Restaurant Sector
6% - For Suppliers of Services or Mixed Suppliers)

The Composition Scheme Under India GST

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Conclusion

Under GST Act, the main reason for implementing the Composition Scheme was to provide an alternative way to the small taxpayers. This scheme helps to reduce the tax burden and compliance cost on these taxpayers.

Moreover, this scheme has simplified the lives of small taxpayers, as now they are not required to maintain lots of records. Therefore, it will be correct to mention that the composition scheme under GST Act has turned out very beneficial for small taxpayers.