Question 1

When does my business need to register for GST?

Accepted Answer

Registration is mandatory once your aggregate turnover crosses the threshold (broadly ₹40 lakh for goods and ₹20 lakh for services, with ₹20/₹10 lakh limits in some special-category states). It is also mandatory — regardless of turnover — for inter-state suppliers, e-commerce operators, those liable under reverse charge, and a few other categories. We assess your specific position before you register, because registering unnecessarily creates compliance you may not need.

Question 2

Should I register voluntarily even if I'm below the threshold?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. Voluntary registration lets you claim input tax credit and can be commercially necessary if your customers are registered and expect tax invoices. But it also commits you to the full return cycle. We weigh the credit benefit against the compliance cost for your situation before recommending it.

Question 3

Do I need separate registrations for each state I operate in?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GST is state-specific, so a separate registration is required for each state from which you make taxable supplies. We handle multi-state registrations and the inter-branch (cross-charge) implications that come with them.

Question 4

Which GST returns does my business have to file, and how often?

Accepted Answer

Most regular taxpayers file GSTR-1 (outward supplies) and GSTR-3B (summary and payment) either monthly or quarterly under the QRMP scheme, plus the annual return GSTR-9 and the reconciliation statement GSTR-9C where applicable. The exact set depends on your turnover and registration type. We map your filing calendar so nothing is missed.

Question 5

What happens if I file a GST return late?

Accepted Answer

Late filing attracts a late fee per day (capped by return type) and interest on any tax paid late. More importantly, your customers may be unable to claim credit until you file, which strains commercial relationships. We run a review-and-reminder process so filings go out on time, every period.

Question 6

Can I correct a mistake in a return I've already filed?

Accepted Answer

GST returns cannot be revised, but most errors can be corrected in a subsequent period's return, subject to time limits (broadly up to November of the following financial year, or the annual return, whichever is earlier). Identifying and fixing errors before that window closes is exactly what a periodic tax review is for.

Question 7

My GSTR-2B doesn't match my purchase records. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Credit is now largely restricted to what appears in your auto-populated GSTR-2B, so mismatches directly cost you money. The fix is a disciplined monthly reconciliation of 2B against your books, followed by vendor follow-up where suppliers haven't reported invoices. We run this reconciliation and chase the gaps so eligible credit isn't lost.

Question 8

Which input tax credits are blocked or ineligible?

Accepted Answer

Section 17(5) blocks credit on specified items — certain motor vehicles, personal consumption, works-contract and construction in some cases, employee benefits unless mandated, and more. Wrongly claiming blocked credit is a common audit trigger. An ITC eligibility review confirms what you can and can't claim before it becomes a notice.

Question 9

When do I have to reverse input tax credit?

Accepted Answer

Reversal is required in several situations — non-payment to a supplier within 180 days, credit attributable to exempt supplies, certain write-offs, and others. The rules are mechanical but easy to miss. We build the reversal workings into your monthly compliance so they're handled correctly and on time.

Question 10

Who needs to file GSTR-9C, and what is it?

Accepted Answer

GSTR-9C is a reconciliation statement between your audited financial statements and the annual GST return (GSTR-9), required once turnover crosses the prescribed limit (currently ₹5 crore). It is self-certified, but the reconciliation needs to be defensible. We prepare and review the 9C so the numbers tie out and the positions hold up.

Question 11

The department has selected me for a GST audit. What now?

Accepted Answer

A departmental audit (Section 65) is a structured examination of your records over a period. The outcome depends heavily on preparation — how records are presented, how observations are answered, and how positions are documented. We manage the audit end to end, from the document request to the final reply, to keep routine queries from escalating.

Question 12

What is an internal GST audit and why do one?

Accepted Answer

An internal GST audit is a voluntary, diagnostic review of your turnover, ITC, RCM and documentation — done by us, before the department does it for you. It surfaces exposure while there is still time to correct it through a return or voluntary payment, which is far cheaper than a demand with interest and penalty.

Question 13

I've received a show-cause notice (SCN). How serious is it?

Accepted Answer

An SCN is the formal start of a demand — it must be answered within the time stated, with facts and law, or the department can confirm the demand ex parte. A well-drafted reply often closes the matter at this stage. We draft SCN replies and represent you through adjudication, so the response is timely and complete.

Question 14

Can I appeal a GST order I disagree with?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An order can be appealed to the Appellate Authority within the prescribed period, on payment of a pre-deposit, and onward to the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) and the courts. Appeals are strict on timelines and grounds. We assess the merits, advise on whether to appeal, and handle the drafting and representation.

Question 15

What is an advance ruling, and when is it useful?

Accepted Answer

An advance ruling (AAR/AAAR) is a binding clarification on a specific question — classification, rate, ITC eligibility, or whether a transaction is taxable — obtained before you act. It is useful for high-value or novel transactions where certainty matters. We help frame the question and represent you before the authority.

Question 16

I've received a summons under GST. Do I need representation?

Accepted Answer

A summons (Section 70) compels attendance and the production of documents, often as part of an investigation. What you say and submit is on record and can shape any later demand. Having experienced representation ensures you respond accurately, within your rights, and without volunteering avoidable exposure.

Question 17

How does an engagement with ASA usually start?

Accepted Answer

With a focused conversation about your business and current GST position, often followed by a health check that surfaces gaps and exposure. From there we scope the work — one-off project, periodic compliance, or ongoing retainer — so you know exactly what's covered and what it costs.

Question 18

Will I work with senior people or junior staff?

Accepted Answer

Your matter is owned by experienced specialists. We are deliberately a specialised indirect-tax firm, not a volume practice — the person advising you is accountable for the outcome, and reviews sit at a senior level before anything leaves us.

Question 19

Do you offer ongoing retainers or only one-off work?

Accepted Answer

Both. Many clients use us as their outsourced indirect-tax function on a monthly retainer — returns, reconciliations, advisory and representation under one roof — while others engage us for specific projects such as a review, an audit, or a litigation matter. We scope to what you need.

Question 20

Can you support businesses outside Ahmedabad and Mumbai?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our offices are in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, but we serve clients across India — GST is a national law, and most of our work is handled remotely with on-the-ground presence where a matter requires it.

Plain answers to common GST questions.

Registration

Returns

Input Tax Credit

Audit

Litigation

Working with ASA

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