The composition scheme lets small businesses pay a flat, low percentage of turnover instead of tracking GST on every invoice. It is genuinely simpler — and genuinely wrong for some businesses. With input costs now mostly at 5%/18% after the 2025 restructuring, the maths has shifted; here is the 2026 picture.
Who can opt in
- Goods traders and manufacturers: aggregate turnover up to ₹1.5 crore in the previous FY (₹75 lakh in Arunachal, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand).
- Restaurants (not serving alcohol): up to ₹1.5 crore.
- Service providers (Section 10(2A) scheme): up to ₹50 lakh.
- Mixed goods + services: services up to 10% of turnover or ₹5 lakh, whichever is higher.
Not eligible: inter-state suppliers, e-commerce sellers through operators collecting TCS (relaxed for intra-state since 2023 in some cases), manufacturers of ice cream, pan masala, tobacco, aerated water; casual/non-resident taxpayers; suppliers of non-taxable goods.
Rates
| Business | Rate on turnover |
|---|---|
| Manufacturers and traders of goods | 1% (0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST) |
| Restaurants (no alcohol) | 5% |
| Other service providers (10(2A)) | 6% |
Traders pay 1% on taxable turnover only; manufacturers and restaurants on total turnover in the state.
The four rules that decide it
- No input tax credit. The GST you pay on purchases is a cost.
- You cannot charge GST on your invoices. Issue a bill of supply stating "composition taxable person, not eligible to collect tax". The invoice generator becomes a bill of supply with tax switched off.
- No inter-state outward supplies. Selling to another state disqualifies you.
- Reverse charge still applies on specified inward supplies (e.g. GTA freight), at regular rates.
Break-even: regular vs composition
Take a trader with ₹1 crore turnover, buying at ₹80 lakh + 18% GST (₹14.4 lakh input tax) and selling at 18%.
| Regular scheme | Composition | |
|---|---|---|
| Tax charged to customers | ₹18 lakh (passed through) | ₹0 (can't charge) |
| ITC | ₹14.4 lakh | ₹0 — the ₹14.4 lakh becomes cost |
| Net GST paid from own pocket | ₹0 (customer bears ₹18L, you offset ₹14.4L, pay ₹3.6L cash from collections) | ₹1 lakh (1% of turnover) |
| Effective cost of GST on margin | Nil | ₹14.4 lakh of ITC lost vs ₹1 lakh paid — composition loses badly |
Now a service provider (say a coaching class) with ₹40 lakh fees and ₹3 lakh of taxable inputs (₹54,000 ITC):
| Regular | Composition (6%) | |
|---|---|---|
| GST on sales | ₹7.2 lakh charged to students (B2C — students can't claim it) | ₹0 charged |
| Tax paid | ₹7.2 lakh − ₹0.54 lakh = ₹6.66 lakh from collections | ₹2.4 lakh from own pocket |
| Price to student | ₹47.2 lakh incl. GST | ₹40 lakh, or ₹42.4 lakh if you build in the 6% |
For B2C services and restaurants with low input tax, composition usually wins on price competitiveness. For B2B traders and anyone with high taxed inputs, regular wins. Run your numbers in the GST calculator's composition comparison.
Filing under composition
| Return | Due |
|---|---|
| CMP-08 — quarterly statement and payment | 18th of the month after the quarter |
| GSTR-4 — annual return | 30 June following the FY |
| CMP-02 — opt in for next FY | by 31 March |
| CMP-04 — withdraw (e.g. crossed limit) | within 7 days of the event |
No GSTR-1/3B. Dates are in the GST calendar under "Composition".
Compliance points
- Display "Composition taxable person" on your signboard and bill of supply.
- Mention the scheme on every bill; issuing a tax invoice with GST is an offence.
- Keep purchase invoices — the 1% is on turnover, but assessments look at purchases too.
- Crossing ₹1.5 crore mid-year: withdraw within 7 days, start charging GST from that day, and you can claim ITC on stock held (ITC-01).
- Purchases from unregistered dealers: no tax under RCM for composition dealers except the specified categories.
FAQ
Can a composition dealer sell on Amazon or Flipkart?
Composition dealers can make intra-state supplies through e-commerce operators since October 2023 (with restrictions and operator enablement), but not inter-state. Most marketplace sellers stay on regular GST.
Can I claim ITC when I switch from composition to regular?
Yes — on inputs and stock held on the day of switching, via Form ITC-01 within 30 days.
Is composition available for freelancers?
Yes, under 10(2A) at 6% if turnover ≤ ₹50 lakh and all clients are in your state. Most freelancers with out-of-state or foreign clients cannot use it.
Does the ₹1.5 crore limit include exempt supplies?
Aggregate turnover includes exempt and nil-rated supplies for eligibility; the 1% tax for traders is on taxable turnover only.