Chapter III - Levy and collection of tax
Section 10
Section 10: Composition levy
Section 10 provides an optional simplified levy for eligible registered persons, with separate routes for eligible suppliers and specified service suppliers.
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This article is for general information. Refer to the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 official text for the official provisions. If you need professional advice for your situation, contact Bizeneed.
Statutory text
Bare law
(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 9, a registered person, whose aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year did not exceed fifty lakh rupees, may opt to pay, in lieu of the tax payable by him under sub-section (1) of section 9, an amount of tax calculated at such rate as may be prescribed, but not exceeding,–– (a) one per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory in case of a manufacturer, (b) two and a half per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory in case of persons engaged in making supplies referred to in clause (b) of paragraph 6 of Schedule II, and (c) half per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory in case of other suppliers, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed: Provided that the Government may, by notification, increase the said limit of fifty lakh rupees to such higher amount, not exceeding one crore and fifty lakh rupees, as may be recommended by the Council: Provided further that a person who opts to pay tax under clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) may supply services (other than those referred to in clause (b) of paragraph 6 of Schedule II), of value not exceeding ten per cent. of turnover in a State or Union territory in the preceding financial year or five lakh rupees, whichever is higher.
Explanation.—For the purposes of second proviso, the value of exempt supply of services provided by way of extending deposits, loans or advances in so far as the consideration is represented by way of interest or discount shall not be taken into account for determining the value of turnover in a State or Union territory.
(2) The registered person shall be eligible to opt under sub-section (1), if:— (a) save as provided in sub-section (1), he is not engaged in the supply of services; (b) he is not engaged in making any supply of goods or services which are not leviable to tax under this Act; (c) he is not engaged in making any inter-State outward supplies of goods or services; (d) he is not engaged in making any supply of services through an electronic commerce operator who is required to collect tax at source under section 52; (e) he is not a manufacturer of such goods as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council; and (f) he is neither a casual taxable person nor a non-resident taxable person: Provided that where more than one registered persons are having the same Permanent Account Number (issued under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), the registered person shall not be eligible to opt for the scheme under sub-section (1) unless all such registered persons opt to pay tax under that sub-section.
(2A) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, but subject to the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) of section 9, a registered person, not eligible to opt to pay tax under sub-section (1) and sub-section (2), whose aggregate turnover in the preceding financial year did not exceed fifty lakh rupees, may opt to pay, in lieu of the tax payable by him under sub-section (1) of section 9, an amount of tax calculated at such rate as may be prescribed, but not exceeding three per cent. of the turnover in State or turnover in Union territory, if he is not— (a) engaged in making any supply of goods or services which are not leviable to tax under this Act; (b) engaged in making any inter-State outward supplies of goods or services; (c) engaged in making any supply of services through an electronic commerce operator who is required to collect tax at source under section 52; (d) a manufacturer of such goods or supplier of such services as may be notified by the Government on the recommendations of the Council; and (e) a casual taxable person or a non-resident taxable person: Provided that where more than one registered person are having the same Permanent Account Number issued under the Income-tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961), the registered person shall not be eligible to opt for the scheme under this sub-section unless all such registered persons opt to pay tax under this sub-section.
(3) The option availed of by a registered person under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2A), as the case may be, shall lapse with effect from the day on which his aggregate turnover during a financial year exceeds the limit specified under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2A), as the case may be,.
(4) A taxable person to whom the provisions of sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, sub-section (2A) apply shall not collect any tax from the recipient on supplies made by him nor shall he be entitled to any credit of input tax.
(5) If the proper officer has reasons to believe that a taxable person has paid tax under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2A), as the case may be, despite not being eligible, such person shall, in addition to any tax that may be payable by him under any other provisions of this Act, be liable to a penalty and the provisions of section 73 or section 74 or section 74A shall, mutatis mutandis, apply for determination of tax and penalty.
Explanation 1.—For the purposes of computing aggregate turnover of a person for determining his eligibility to pay tax under this section, the expression “aggregate turnover” shall include the value of supplies made by such person from the 1st day of April of a financial year up to the date when he becomes liable for registration under this Act, but shall not include the value of exempt supply of services provided by way of extending deposits, loans or advances in so far as the consideration is represented by way of interest or discount.
Explanation 2.—For the purposes of determining the tax payable by a person under this section, the expression “turnover in State or turnover in Union territory” shall not include the value of following supplies, namely:— (i) supplies from the first day of April of a financial year up to the date when such person becomes liable for registration under this Act; and (ii) exempt supply of services provided by way of extending deposits, loans or advances in so far as the consideration is represented by way of interest or discount.
Key takeaways
Choice and threshold
Eligibility depends on the preceding-year aggregate turnover ceiling, any valid Government notification increasing the statutory limit, and the applicable composition Rules. The Section 10 ceiling alone is not the current notified threshold for every taxpayer.
Supply and person exclusions
The Act excludes inter-State outward supply, specified non-leviable supply, the relevant supplies through an operator collecting tax at source, notified manufacturers or service suppliers, and casual or non-resident taxable persons. The operator condition differs between subsections (2) and (2A); check the route that applies. Same-PAN registrations must opt consistently.
Consequences and exit
A composition taxpayer cannot collect tax from the recipient or claim input tax credit. The option lapses from the day current-year aggregate turnover exceeds the applicable limit; ineligible use can lead to ordinary tax and penalty determination.
Choice and threshold
Section 10(1) starts with a preceding-year aggregate-turnover ceiling of fifty lakh rupees and permits a higher notified ceiling up to one crore and fifty lakh rupees. Section 10(2A) is a separate route, for a registered person ineligible under subsections (1) and (2), with a fifty-lakh-rupee preceding-year ceiling. Check the notification and composition Rules applicable to the relevant period; do not treat the two routes as one threshold.
The section 10(1) route allows limited services other than the restaurant-type supply in Schedule II, paragraph 6(b): their value may not exceed ten per cent of the preceding-year turnover in the State or Union territory, or five lakh rupees, whichever is higher. This allowance does not replace the distinct subsection (2A) route.
Supply and person exclusions
The Act excludes inter-State outward supply, specified non-leviable supply, the relevant supplies through an operator collecting tax at source, notified manufacturers or service suppliers, and casual or non-resident taxable persons. The operator condition differs between subsections (2) and (2A); check the route that applies. Same-PAN registrations must opt consistently.
Consequences and exit
A composition taxpayer cannot collect tax from the recipient or claim input tax credit. The option lapses from the day current-year aggregate turnover exceeds the applicable limit; ineligible use can lead to ordinary tax and penalty determination.
Practical checklist
Do
- Calculate preceding-year aggregate turnover for all same-PAN registrations.
- Identify whether subsection (1) or subsection (2A) applies; for subsection (1), separately test the limited-services allowance.
- Verify the current limit, prescribed rate, excluded goods or services and composition Rules for the relevant period.
- Check any inter-State outward supply, operator-supplied service and same-PAN option.
- Reconcile no-tax-collection and no-input-credit treatment before invoicing.
Frequently asked questions
Can a composition taxpayer charge GST separately and claim input tax credit?
No. Section 10(4) bars both tax collection from the recipient and input tax credit for a person under the scheme.
Need help applying this provision to your situation?
Contact BizeneedLast updated 10 October 2026