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GST Composition Guide · FY 2025-26

GST Composition Scheme Limit —
Turnover, Rates & Rules

The composition scheme turnover limits, the 1%–6% flat rates by business type, who is eligible, and the CMP-08 & GSTR-4 returns a composition dealer must file.

Updated for FY 2025-26 GST Expert Reviewed Section 10 CGST Act
₹1.5crGoods limit
₹50LServices limit
1%–6%Flat tax rates
GSTR-4Annual return
Quick Answer

The GST composition scheme lets small businesses pay a flat rate on turnover instead of regular GST. The turnover limit is ₹1.5 crore for goods (₹75 lakh in special-category states) and ₹50 lakh for service providers. Flat rates: 1% for traders & manufacturers, 5% for restaurants, 6% for other services. No ITC, no inter-state supply — file CMP-08 quarterly and GSTR-4 annually.

Goods limit ₹1.5cr
Services limit ₹50L
Trader rate 1%
Service rate 6%
At a glance

Composition Limit & Rate by Business Type

The composition turnover limit and flat GST rate for every category of business, with ITC availability. See the wider composition scheme guide for the full picture.

Business TypeTurnover LimitFlat RateITC
Traders / retailers (goods)₹1.5 crore1%No
Manufacturers (non-restricted)₹1.5 crore1%No
Restaurants (no alcohol)₹1.5 crore5%No
Service providers (other)₹50 lakh6%No
Mixed — goods + services (up to 10% or ₹5L)₹1.5 crore1%No
Special-category states (goods)₹75 lakh1%No

1% = 0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST; 6% = 3% CGST + 3% SGST. Composition limits and rates were not changed by the GST 2.0 rationalisation (effective 22 September 2025). Verify on the GST portal.

The limit is on aggregate turnover, PAN-wide

The ₹1.5 crore / ₹50 lakh limit is measured on aggregate turnover across all GSTINs under the same PAN — taxable + exempt + exports — in the preceding financial year. If any one business under the PAN opts for composition, all of them must. Cross the limit mid-year and you must switch to regular GST from that point.

Who can & cannot opt

Composition Scheme Eligibility

The scheme is meant for small, local, intra-state businesses. Several categories are barred entirely — even below the turnover limit.

Eligible if

  • Turnover within ₹1.5cr (goods) / ₹50L (services)
  • You supply only within your state (intra-state)
  • Local retailers, small manufacturers, restaurants
  • You don't need Input Tax Credit
  • Service providers under the ₹50L special scheme

Not eligible if

  • You make inter-state outward supplies
  • You sell through an e-commerce operator (Amazon, etc.)
  • Manufacturer of ice cream, pan masala, tobacco, aerated water
  • Non-resident / casual taxable person or ISD
  • You supply goods that are not taxable (e.g. petroleum)

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The core trade-off

Composition vs Regular Scheme

Composition trades lower rates and simpler filing for no ITC and no tax invoice. The dealer pays from its own pocket and issues a Bill of Supply, not a tax invoice.

1–6%

Composition — flat on turnover

  • Flat 1%–6% on turnover, no slabs
  • No Input Tax Credit
  • Bill of Supply — cannot charge GST
  • Intra-state supply only
  • CMP-08 quarterly + GSTR-4 annual
vs
5/18%

Regular — GST on value

  • 5% or 18% (GST 2.0 two slabs) on value
  • Full Input Tax Credit available
  • Tax invoice — GST charged to customer
  • Inter-state & e-commerce allowed
  • GSTR-1 + GSTR-3B monthly / quarterly
Worked example

Composition Tax on ₹40 Lakh Turnover

1% Trader / manufacturer

Annual turnover₹40,00,000
Rate1%
Tax payable / year₹40,000

6% Service provider

Annual turnover₹40,00,000
Rate6%
Tax payable / year₹2,40,000

The composition dealer pays this from its own funds and cannot pass it on — so a low margin business benefits most from the 1% goods rate, while the 6% service rate is only worthwhile where compliance simplicity outweighs the higher cost.

TaxClue Insight

Because composition blocks ITC, a business with heavy input GST (rent, machinery, stock) may pay less overall under regular GST after credits — despite the higher headline rate. Model both before opting; the 1% flat rate is not automatically cheaper.

Filing & payment

Composition Returns — CMP-08 & GSTR-4

A composition dealer does not file the monthly GSTR-1 / GSTR-3B. Instead it pays tax quarterly and files one annual return.

Opt in — CMP-02Elect the scheme before FY starts
CMP-08 quarterlySelf-assessed tax, by 18th
GSTR-4 annuallyAnnual return, by 30 June
Bill of SupplyNo GST charged to customers
ReturnWhat it isFrequencyDue Date
CMP-08Self-assessed tax payment statementQuarterly18th of month after each quarter
GSTR-4Annual composition returnAnnual30 June of next FY
CMP-02Intimation to opt into schemeOnceBefore start of FY
GSTR-9AAnnual return (waived recently)AnnualAs notified

Late fee for GSTR-4 is ₹50/day (₹20/day for nil), capped; interest on delayed tax is 18% p.a. under Section 50. Confirm current due dates on the GST portal.

  • File CMP-02 to opt in before FY
  • Pay tax via CMP-08 every quarter (18th)
  • File GSTR-4 annual return by 30 June
  • Issue Bill of Supply, not tax invoice
  • Do not collect GST from customers
  • Do not claim Input Tax Credit
  • Display "composition taxable person" on signage
  • Stay within the ₹1.5cr / ₹50L limit

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Government sourcesRates & notifications: gst.gov.in · CBIC: cbic-gst.gov.in · Composition levy: Section 10, CGST Act 2017 · Services composition: Notification 2/2019-CT(R) (6% scheme)
People also ask

Frequently Asked Questions

Limits
What is the GST composition scheme turnover limit?
The composition limit is ₹1.5 crore aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year for suppliers of goods (₹75 lakh in special-category states such as Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh). For service providers under the special composition scheme the limit is ₹50 lakh. Aggregate turnover is counted PAN-wide across all GSTINs and includes taxable, exempt and export supplies, but not GST itself.
What is the composition limit for service providers?
₹50 lakh. Since January 2019 (Notification 2/2019-CT(R)), service providers can opt for a special composition scheme with a ₹50 lakh turnover limit and a 6% flat rate (3% CGST + 3% SGST). This is separate from the ₹1.5 crore limit that applies to goods.
What happens if I cross the composition turnover limit?
You must exit the scheme from the day your aggregate turnover crosses the limit and switch to regular GST. From that point you charge GST on tax invoices, become eligible for ITC, and file the regular GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B. File Form CMP-04 to intimate withdrawal within seven days of becoming ineligible.
Is the composition limit based on turnover of one state or PAN?
It is based on aggregate turnover across the whole PAN — all GSTINs and states combined — not a single registration. If the combined turnover exceeds ₹1.5 crore (goods) or ₹50 lakh (services), none of the businesses under that PAN can be in the composition scheme.
Rates
What are the GST rates under the composition scheme?
Traders and manufacturers pay 1% of turnover (0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST); restaurants not serving alcohol pay 5%; other service providers pay 6% (3% CGST + 3% SGST). The tax is paid on turnover from the dealer's own funds — it is not collected from customers and cannot be shown on the bill.
What is the composition rate for a manufacturer?
1% of turnover (0.5% CGST + 0.5% SGST) — the same as a trader. This applies to manufacturers of non-restricted goods; manufacturers of ice cream, pan masala, tobacco and aerated water are barred from the scheme altogether.
Did GST 2.0 change the composition scheme rates or limits?
No. The GST 2.0 rationalisation effective 22 September 2025 restructured the regular slabs into a two-rate system (5% and 18% with a 40% demerit rate), but it did not change the composition scheme turnover limits or the 1%–6% flat composition rates, which continue under Section 10 of the CGST Act.
Eligibility
Who is not eligible for the GST composition scheme?
Ineligible persons include: suppliers making inter-state outward supplies; anyone selling through an e-commerce operator; manufacturers of ice cream, pan masala, tobacco or aerated water; suppliers of non-taxable goods such as petroleum; casual and non-resident taxable persons; and Input Service Distributors. Also, if any business under a PAN opts for composition, all must.
Can a service provider opt for the composition scheme?
Yes. Since January 2019, service providers (and mixed suppliers of goods and services) can opt for the special composition scheme if turnover is up to ₹50 lakh, paying a 6% flat rate. This covers consultants, freelancers, repair shops and similar small service businesses. They cannot make inter-state supplies, cannot charge GST, and cannot claim ITC.
Can a composition dealer make inter-state sales?
No. A composition dealer can only make intra-state outward supplies. Making even one inter-state sale disqualifies the business from the scheme and requires it to move to regular GST registration. Inter-state purchases, however, are allowed.
Can a composition dealer claim Input Tax Credit?
No. A composition dealer cannot claim ITC on its purchases, and its customers cannot claim ITC on purchases from it either (since no tax invoice is issued). This is the main trade-off for the lower flat rate and simpler compliance.
Returns
How does a composition dealer file GST returns?
A composition dealer pays tax quarterly through Form CMP-08 (due the 18th of the month after each quarter) and files one annual return, GSTR-4 (due 30 June of the next financial year). It does not file the monthly GSTR-1 or GSTR-3B. To opt in, file CMP-02 before the financial year begins.
What is CMP-08 and when is it due?
CMP-08 is a quarterly self-assessed statement-cum-challan through which a composition dealer declares turnover and pays its 1%–6% tax. It is due by the 18th of the month following each quarter — 18 July, 18 October, 18 January and 18 April.
What is the late fee for GSTR-4?
The late fee for GSTR-4 is ₹50 per day (₹25 CGST + ₹25 SGST), reduced to ₹20 per day for a nil return, subject to a cap. Tax paid late also attracts interest at 18% per annum under Section 50 of the CGST Act.
Can a composition dealer issue a tax invoice?
No. A composition dealer must issue a Bill of Supply, not a tax invoice, and cannot show GST separately. The bill must carry the words "composition taxable person, not eligible to collect tax on supplies", and the same notice must be displayed at the place of business.
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