Tax Planning
5 min

GST Composition vs Regular Scheme Calculator

Compare 1% GST composition scheme vs 18% regular scheme with ITC benefits for content creators. Find break-even point (40-50% expenses) and 5-year savings projection

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Business Information

Total revenue from all services/products

Total expenses eligible for ITC (equipment, software, rent, etc.)

Optional: Auto-calculated as 18% of expenses if not provided

Understanding GST Composition vs Regular Scheme

What is GST Composition Scheme?

The Composition Scheme is a simplified GST compliance option for small businesses with turnover up to ₹1.5 crore. It offers a flat 1% GST rate for service providers (including content creators, freelancers, consultants), 1% for manufacturers, and 5% for restaurants. You cannot claim Input Tax Credit but benefit from significantly lower compliance burden with quarterly filing instead of monthly returns.

When is Composition Better?

Composition scheme works best for content creators and influencers with:

  • Low expense ratio: Business expenses below 45% of revenue (limited ITC benefit anyway)
  • B2C clients: Selling directly to consumers who don't need GST invoices
  • Simple operations: All supplies within the same state (no interstate)
  • Low compliance capacity: Want to avoid monthly GST filing hassle

When is Regular Scheme Better?

Regular GST scheme is advantageous when:

  • High expense ratio: Business expenses exceed 45% of revenue (high ITC claims reduce net tax)
  • B2B clients: Corporate brands need proper tax invoices to claim their ITC
  • Interstate supply: Serving clients across multiple states
  • Growth plans: Expected turnover above ₹1.5 crore soon

The 40-50% Break-Even Rule

For service providers at 1% composition rate, the break-even point occurs at approximately 45% expense ratio:

  • Below 45%: Composition (1%) typically better → Save on flat ultra-low rate
  • Above 45%: Regular (18% - ITC) typically better → ITC outweighs the rate difference
  • At around 45%: Both schemes cost approximately the same

Example: On ₹10L turnover with ₹4.5L expenses (45% ratio): Composition = ₹10K vs Regular = ₹1.8L - ₹0.81L ITC ≈ ₹99K

Restrictions of Composition Scheme

  • No ITC: Cannot claim input tax credit on any purchases
  • No tax invoices: Can only issue bills of supply (limits B2B clients)
  • No interstate: Cannot supply outside your state
  • Turnover cap: Must migrate to regular if crossing ₹1.5 crore
  • Annual lock-in: Can only switch schemes at start of financial year

Important Considerations

  • Track expense ratio monthly: If it crosses 67%, plan to switch at year-end
  • Switching deadline: Must file intimation before financial year starts (April 1)
  • ITC eligibility: Only claim ITC on GST-paid business expenses with proper invoices
  • Client preferences: B2B brands prefer regular scheme suppliers (for their ITC)
  • Compliance costs: Factor in CA fees - composition is 60-70% cheaper
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