FAQ: GST Consultants
Find the right expert with better context

Common customer situations

• businesses registered under GST
• ecommerce sellers and service providers
• traders with monthly or quarterly returns
• businesses facing notices, amendments or cancellation
• startups needing registration and ongoing compliance

Documents or details to keep ready

• GSTIN and login access or authorization
• sales invoices, purchase invoices and debit/credit notes
• bank statements and payment details
• GSTR-1, GSTR-3B and e-way bill data
• ITC ledger, vendor reconciliation and notice copies if any

Pricing expectations

GST registration usually ranges from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 5,000. Nil or micro filings may be Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500 per month, while higher turnover or reconciliation-heavy work can range from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 15,000 per month.

Questions to ask the expert

• Have you handled this exact service type before?
• What documents do you need before confirming price?
• What is included and excluded in the fee?
• What timeline is realistic if all documents are ready?
• How will corrections, notices or follow-up queries be handled?

Good signs in a response

• The expert mentions your actual service type and context
• The price explanation is tied to complexity, not just a flat vague quote
• They ask for the right documents
• They explain timeline, assumptions and next steps clearly
• Their profile, ratings and service categories match the requirement

Red flags

• Very low quote without understanding scope
• No mention of AIS, GST reconciliation, books, notices or documents when relevant
• Pressure to move outside the platform immediately
• Unclear deliverables
• Poor explanation of timelines or responsibility

1. Is GST registration mandatory for GST Consultants?

GST registration is mandatory for GST Consultants if your aggregate annual turnover exceeds ₹40 lakh for goods or ₹20 lakh for services (₹10 lakh/₹20 lakh for special category states). However, registration is compulsory regardless of turnover for e-commerce sellers, inter-state taxable suppliers, and businesses liable under reverse charge (RCM).

2. What are the key compliance requirements after obtaining GST registration for GST Consultants?

Once registered for GST Consultants, you must issue tax invoices conforming to GST rules, maintain detailed records, and file GSTR-1 (outward supplies) and GSTR-3B (monthly/quarterly summary return) on time. Failure to do so attracts late fees of up to ₹50 per day (₹20 for nil returns) and interest on delayed payments.

3. What documents are required to apply for GST Consultants under GST?

You need to upload standard documents on the GST portal: PAN card of the business/promoter, Aadhaar card, proof of business registration, proof of business place occupancy (like electricity bill, rent agreement, NOC), and bank account details (bank statement/cancelled cheque).

4. Can I opt for the Composition Scheme for GST Consultants?

Small taxpayers with aggregate turnover up to ₹1.5 crore (₹75 lakh for special states) can opt for the Composition Scheme under GST. It reduces tax compliance for GST Consultants by allowing payment of tax at a flat rate (1% for manufacturers/traders, 5% for restaurants, 6% for service providers) without claiming Input Tax Credit (ITC).

5. How does Input Tax Credit (ITC) apply to GST Consultants?

You can claim ITC on GST paid for goods or services purchased for business use under GST Consultants. To claim it, you must possess a tax invoice, the supplier must have uploaded it in GSTR-1 (so it appears in your GSTR-2B), and you must have received the goods or services.

6. What is the due date for GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filings?

GSTR-1 is due by the 11th of the next month (monthly filers) or the 13th of the month following the quarter (QRMP). GSTR-3B is due by the 20th of the next month (monthly filers) or the 22nd/24th of the month following the quarter (quarterly filers based on state).

7. Is GST applicable on export of services or goods?

Exports are treated as 'zero-rated supplies.' You can export without paying GST by filing a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) in Form GST RFD-11 before the start of the financial year, or pay IGST and claim a refund later.

8. What is a Letter of Undertaking (LUT), and how long is it valid?

An LUT is a document filed online by an exporter to export goods or services without paying tax. It must be filed online on the GST portal and is valid for one entire financial year (from April 1 to March 31).

9. What is the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM)?

Under RCM, the liability to pay GST shifts from the supplier to the recipient of goods or services. RCM applies to specific transactions like GTA, legal services by advocates, sponsorship, and import of services.

10. What is the penalty for late filing of GST returns?

The late fee is ₹50 per day (₹25 CGST + ₹25 SGST) up to a maximum cap (usually ₹2,00,000 or ₹5,000 depending on turnover). For nil returns, the late fee is capped at ₹20 per day (₹10 CGST + ₹10 SGST) up to a maximum of ₹500. Interest at 18% p.a. applies to late tax payments.

11. What is the difference between GSTR-2A and GSTR-2B?

GSTR-2A is a dynamic, real-time statement reflecting ITC from your suppliers' GSTR-1 filings. GSTR-2B is a static, month-wise statement generated on the 14th of the next month, which serves as the official document for determining eligible ITC for GSTR-3B.

12. What is GSTR-1A, and when should it be used?

GSTR-1A is an amendment utility introduced to edit or add invoice details in the same tax period before filing GSTR-3B. It helps ensure GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B figures reconcile correctly.

13. Can I amend a filed GST return?

GST returns cannot be revised once filed. However, errors or omissions in a GSTR-1 return can be amended in subsequent tax periods by reporting the changes in the amendment tables of the current month's GSTR-1.

14. What is an E-way Bill, and when is it mandatory?

An E-way Bill is an electronic document required for the movement of goods worth more than ₹50,000 (inter-state) or higher state-specific thresholds (intra-state). It must be generated on the E-way Bill portal before the goods are transported.

15. What is GST e-Invoicing? What is the current turnover limit?

E-invoicing is the reporting of business-to-business (B2B) invoices and export invoices to the government's Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) to generate a unique Invoice Reference Number (IRN) and QR code. It is mandatory for businesses with aggregate turnover exceeding ₹5 crore in any preceding financial year.